Gemstone Topaz
The topaz is famous gemstone because of its toughness, the word topaz comes from Sanskrit word which means fire. It has huge color range and easily available. Mostly blue color topaz is used in jewelry. However, imperial topaz, which is golden orange yellow color and deep red color are expensive. As a whole topaz is not an expensive gemstone, topaz is usually without any fault and it is available in very big pieces. The topaz is the only gemstone, which is available in huge pieces. Although topaz is tough, but it can get crack within it if it hit hard surface. Topaz shows multicolor rays in different angles, blue color topaz is unique while the blue color can be got from heat treatment of this gemstone. Topaz can be fade if it remains prolong sunlight exposure. Topaz is relatively economic gemstone and it is available mostly without any flaws and it is available in huge pieces. The quality of topaz is that it is hard and long lasting gemstone and it is undissolved in most of the solvents. Topaz get cleavage if through hard and in this way it gets flaws. The outstanding features of this gemstone is that it looks in different colors when it viewed at different angles.
Topaz Uses
Topaz is used in all form and sort of jewelry especially in rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants. The color topaz is used in ornaments which are expensive and colorless is cheaper. It was considered that the topaz was used to heat controlling and cool down the anger moreover it was also in fever cure practice. In ancient topaz was under the use of royalty and elite classes, topaz relax the mind. Topaz enhance the wisdom and relive the mental problems. The then topaz was used in powdered form in wine for the protection of asthma and insomnia. The topaz was thought as a source of energy and has a relaxing effects. It helps in maintain good health and happiness, it reduces tension and enhance confidence level. Topaz has many healing properties and assist in digestion.
Topaz Sources
Topaz crystals found in acidic enriched igneous rocks and metamorphic rocks, it is also found as a byproduct like beryl or metals like tungsten and lithium. Topaz is available round the world and in Sri lanka, Myanmar and Madagascar it is mixed with gravel deposits and many others gemstones. The major deposit is in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil, in America Pala region of California also has some deposit of topaz. Pakistan and Russia produce natural topaz and in Pakistan it is available in Northern areas. There are some other countries of the world also have deposit of the valuable gemstone just like in Afghanistan, Australia, China, Japan, India, Ireland, Mexico, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Scotland and Tasmania.
Topaz Properties
Chemical formula of topaz is Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 and it has many colors and shades from colorless to white, red, blue, green, yellow, pink, brown, gray, purple and even available in multicolor. The hardness of topaz is 8. Transparent topaz gemstone is more complex and complicated than opaque, which is plain and simple form of gemstone. The topaz those are found from the Thomas Range are opaque and the opaque pieces are large than the transparent type of topaz.
Topaz Varieties
Topaz occurs in many varieties and shades while the available colors are red, brown, pink, yellow, green, blue and black. However, the purest form of topaz is usually has no color or colorless. The blend of chromium with topaz give the red and pink color to it and other colors are because of mixing up of the others minor elements. Topaz sometime lost its color under sunlight for example the brown topaz fade under the sunlight. The colorless topaz can change its color into blue if it is heated. By chemistry the topaz is aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide.
Topaz as Birthstone
Topaz is the traditional birthstone for November.
General information about Gemstone Topaz
Chemical Composition: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
Color: White, Colorless, Blue, Red, Green, Yellow, Orange, Brown, Pink, Purple and Gray.
Hardness on Mohs scale: 8
Mineral class: Topaz
Transparency: Transparent.
Zodiac: Scorpio.