TOPAZ
Topaz is really the tale of two stones with one name. Most naturally occurring topaz occur in a brown or gray color. On some very rare occasions, it can be found in yellow, oranges, pinks and even reds. It is these colors that are the desired gem version of topaz. The brown and gray topaz are pretty abundant in the earth crust, and can be found in large sizes, the yellows, pinks, oranges, and reds are some of the rarest crystals known to man.
Topaz as a gray stone is often called smoky topaz and can be found in crystals that are measured in pounds, not carats. This topaz is used in costume jewelry and paperweights. The brown version is also readily available in large sizes and quantities. The brown never found a place in the jewelry world, until it was discovered in the 1970’s that if this brown stone was bombarded with radiation, it turned a bright blue. Hence blue topaz was born. Throughout the 1980’s this gem was very popular, and stones flooded the market. However, when it was discovered that the stones were still slightly radioactive, the nuclear regulatory commission advised against wearing the stone and stopped many countries from importing the stones in the U.S. A new safer technique to irradiate these stones with less radioactive by product has since been developed, but the stone is still considered a costume jewelry gem. These two abundant variants of topaz have little in common with the gem forms of topaz. These common topazes occur on almost every continent.
Topaz that is considered fine and collectible is valued in a tiered manner. The first tier is golden topaz, and the final tier is red topaz with some amazing steps in between. The first gem grade topaz is called golden topaz. It occurs in colors that range from light yellow to a rich golden tone. These stones are rare and usually form below 6-7 carats. The transparency is very nice, and the stones have a lively, reflective presentation. In many cases, the sparkle is so pleasant that it almost seems as though a stream is running through the stone. This golden color is the most common of the fine topaz and is used as for November’s birthstone.
The next step up the ladder in the Topaz is called precious topaz. This stone displays an orange-y fire as a strong overtone to the yellow. The orange is a bright orange that takes the stone out of the yellow or golden category. These stones start to become quite rare and quite valuable. Almost all of these stones are mined in Brazil and sizes over 5 carats can command a high price.
The next, even rarer, topaz is aptly named “Imperial Topaz.” This variety sees the orange overtone give way to a pink overtone. The stones become much more salmon in color. Think rose wine or an amazing tequila sunset. These are a truly precious gem and get very expensive and collectible. Imperial topaz has only two known sources. The original find was in the 18th century in the Ural Mountains of Russia. This mine is long expanded and then forgotten. The only other source is one small specific mine in Brazil. These stones are the perfect balance of both pink and orange. The same mine also produces a pink topaz. This is a stone where the orange is completely gone, and the stone is a pure pink. Some can be a soft pastel, barely pink and these stones are equal in rarity and value to the precious topaz. If the pink starts to go darker into more of a fuchsia pink, these stones become very rare and very collectible.
On three occasions, there were stones that were bi-colored stones. This is where half the stone was pink and the other half was a precious orange. Only three of these stones have ever been discovered and fortunately, we here at Gauthier, have owned and set two of the three.
The last and rarest form of topaz is the Red Topaz. Only a handful of true red topaz have ever been found. Most stones are in museums today. Here at Gauthier, we also owned and sold to a private collector, the largest known Red Topaz in history. These yellow, Precious, Imperial, pinks, and reds are very much a connoisseurs’ gemstones and are all truly spectacular.
HISTORY AND FOLKLORE
Topaz has a long history as a magical gem. The ancient Greeks believed that topaz could give you superhuman powers in battle. Therefore, topaz was often used to adorn swords and soldiers. During the Renaissance period, Europeans thought topaz could break magic spells and dispel curses. It is also believed throughout the years that a topaz worn around your neck would promote long life and eternal beauty.
WEAR AND CARE
Topaz is a very durable gem in terms of being resistant to scratches. It is an 8 out of 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the hardest gems. It does, however, have perfect cleavages, making it susceptible to chips if it is hit hard at the perfect angle. It can be worn daily with proper care.