Types of Topaz Gemstones
Topaz is a precious gemstone known for its yellowish color and hardness factor. While many different versions of synthetically altered topaz exist today, only true topaz exhibiting the traditional yellow or golden coloring is mined. Technically, topaz is defined by precious mineral formula and in its pure form is colorless, but like many gemstones it is famous for its impurities that give it a unique shade.
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Topaz Origins
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The word "topaz" comes from the original word "topazio," believed to be Greek or Indian in origin but carried on in other languages such as Brazilian. As languages broadened in scope and borrowed extensively from one another during the medieval period and especially the Renaissance, topaz and its variations were used in science and literature alike to describe a yellowish coloring, especially a yellowish stone such as peridot and citrine quartz. To this day miners often refer to less valuable stones as topaz or topazio even if their molecular structures are dissimilar. This is also the reason for the variety of names added onto pseudo-versions of the gemstone, including Scotch and Madeira topaz.
Precious or Yellow Topaz
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Precious topaz is a yellow crystal found naturally in mines across the world but most famously in Brazil. It has a high refractive index and a hardness factor of 8, making it suitable to be used as a precious gemstone. It is highly valued, compared with synthetic versions, and used in jewelry and for exclusive decorative purposes.
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Smoky Varieties
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A large number of smoky topaz gems are also mined, which are quartz-like crystals with a mild yellow or orange hue and without the clarity of the true version. These are not technically topaz gemstones but are sometimes confused with them due to language differences. The color of a true precious topaz is different and can usually be distinguished not only from smoky topaz but from similar gemstones such as yellow sapphires.
Blue/Sea Topaz
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Topaz is a type of gem susceptible to irradiation by synthetic means, which harvesters use to control the topaz colors. In natural, precious topaz this irradiation is done to enhance and preserve the original golden color of the crystal, but in smoky or colorless versions of topaz, irradiation by neutrons or electrons can give them completely different colors. These synthetic stones are often blue but can also come in many "sea" shades, including green, teal and silver. The colors given to these stones often will fade over time or can be chipped off as they affect only the first layer of the stone. These synthetic versions are not true precious stones and not nearly as expensive.
Imperial Topaz
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The most valuable and rarest kind of topaz is known as imperial topaz, which is yellow like the other precious varieties but has also been naturally imbued with reddish or pinkish tints, resulting in a richer and more golden color. Sometimes an irradiation process is applied to these stones to remove the yellow shade, leaving only a rose-like tint behind.
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