Topaz semiprecious gemstone index and mineral information

Topaz is a high temperature mineral generally found in igneous rocks and high temperature veins. It is aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide. Sodalite’s name comes from the Greek topazion, which may originate from the Greek topazin, which may originate from the Sanskrit tapas, meaning “fire,” or from the Egyptian island of Topazos (now Zebirget or St. John’s Island) in the Red Sea.

Sodalite occurs in the veins and cavities of granite pegmatites, rhyolites, and quartz veins. Topaz is the hardest silicate mineral, and one of the hardest minerals too. Topaz is found in granites that have been subjected to alteration by fluorine-bearing solutions, and can be accompanied by fluorite, tourmaline, apatite, beryl, quartz, and the tin-bearing mineral cassiterite. It can also occur as worn pebbles in alluvial deposits.

Topaz is a transparent gemstone that commonly contains inclusions. There are different colors of topaz; cherry-brown topaz is found in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Colorless, pale blue, reddish, and yellow crystals are found in the United States particularly in the Pike’s Peak region of Colorado. Blue, colorless, and pale brown topaz from Tasmania and Queensland and in New South Wales, Australia they are found as rolled pebbles. Other localities where topaz is found are: Germany, the Urals in Russia, many of the countries of Africa, Sri Lanka, Burma, Nigeria and Japan. In the United States you can find gem-quality material in Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, Utah, and California.

Topaz can be confused with apatite, aquamarine, brazilianite, chrysoberyl, citrine, danburite, diamond, precious beryl, fluorite, kunzite, orthoclase, phenakite, ruby, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, and zircon.

Topaz is one of the twelve gemstones of the ceremonial breastplate worn by the high priest Aaron, representing the twelve tribes of Israel as described in the Old Testament book of Exodus, and is also known as the month of November’s birthstone meaning, loyalty.