Topaz Jewelery

In the Mohs scale of hardness topaz occupies position 8, two steps below the diamond and just below the corundum. Besides being one of the hardest gem stones, topaz does not have any peculiar sensitivity to chemicals. One disadvantage that it shares with other hard gem stones is its tendency to crack from side to side rather than just to chip upon impact.

Topaz gem stones can come in various shades of color. Although the crystal is naturally colorless, its coloration comes from impurities in its basic composition or substances that have infiltrated its crystal formation. Some of the colors in which it comes are blue, red, greenish-yellow, yellow, lavender, pink and shades of orange and brown.

Sources of topaz
Most of the topazes, including the gem quality topazes, that we have in the world today come from Minas Gerais, Brazil. In fact, Brazil is noted for producing many of the rarer types of topazes, like the imperial topaz and the blue topaz. It is claimed that Brazil is the only producer of true imperial topaz, although many of its blue topazes are color-treated. Most of their pink topazes are also created by heating sherry-colored topaz.

Mexico produces pale pink topazes. But the deeply colored ones that are mined from there are known to fade very fast under sunlight.

Sri Lankan topaz is generally colorless to pale yellow or pale green.

Other resources for topaz are Russia, Nigeria, Myanmar and Australia.

Enhancements of topaz
Because topaz make very good gem stones and also because they most often come naturally colorless or with pale shades, many methods have been devised to enhance these colors.

An old method of creating blue topaz is bombardment of the stone with gamma rays. This method only produced pale blue topazes and has been abandoned in favor of better ones. The only use gamma ray bombardment has today is to determine whether the way the stone was cut makes it susceptible to the more effective means of coloration (by turning a light blue color).

The more effective manner of turning the topaz blue is to expose it to an intense electron beam. This procedure produces deeper blues that are not highlighted with grey. Because of the intensity of the electron beam, stones treated in this way need to be incubated for a week or so for the radiation to die down before they are available for setting or selling.

Alternatively neutrons may be used instead of electrons to bombard the topaz. In this case, the blue tint is darker or steely. To brighten the shade, the stone may be heated. Stones treated in this way will need to sit for even longer, sometimes several months before their radioactivity is zero.

Other shades of color can be produced by "color deposition" which involves putting an extremely thin layer of color on the wrong side of the stone. Any single or combination of colors may be used on the film to produce an imperial topaz, a blue topaz and topazes of various colors.

The importance of gem papers
Obviously, because the colors of topaz are so easily simulated ... and simulated with the ethical "go!" of the community of gemologists, anyone purchasing beautifully colored topaz jewelry should first inquire about the documents of the stone from the vendor. These will normally contain data about any enhancements performed on the stone. However, in the case of loose stones, the matter may be simpler to manage for colors other than blue. Simply inspect the underside of the stone with a loupe to detect any rainbow spotted film on it. This film is a coating of color and will render the bottom opaque instead of transparent.

Artificially coloring gemstones has been done for many, many years and is now considered acceptable practice. The reason why any buyer should check the authenticity of the color is to check if the price quoted for the topaz jewelry is reasonably lower (if enhanced).

The value of topaz in mystical terms
This November birthstone is reputed to bestow on the wearer the attributes of a king. Hence when we speak of topazes in the light of their being birthstones or amulets all of them are called imperial topazes. Inner light, self-confidence and authority, together with the ability to calm the emotions of others are some of the powers attributed to the topaz. It guards from unseen danger, curses and evil spirits. It invites the admiration of other people for the bearer of the jewelry. To the mind it gives enthusiasm, to the body, health and energy. Worn side by side with a tiger's eye, it blesses the owner with wealth.

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