Mineral topaz is a fairly solid semi-precious stone, characterized by a glass luster and pearly shimmer. He found wide application in jewelry due to his excellent compatibility with gold and other precious metals. In the article you will find a detailed description of the topaz mineral and its main varieties. In addition, you will find out who suits this stone and what magical properties it has.
Mineral topaz: photos and general description
Did you know that the 16th wedding anniversary is usually called topaz? On this day, spouses are given jewelry and products from this mineral. In this situation, topaz symbolizes the purity and strength of family ties. Let's find out more about him.
So, topaz stone is a mineral from the group of aluminum silicates, the hardest representative of its class. In the photo below you can see how it looks in its raw form. The mineral crystallizes in rhombic syngony, and its crystals have a rhombo-bipyramidal symmetry.
If we talk about the name of the stone, then there are two main versions of its origin. According to the first, the name of the mineral comes from the Sanskrit word tapas, which translates as "heat". The second hypothesis says that the stone got its modern name at the place of its first find - on the island of Topazios (off the coast of modern Ethiopia). Although it is not exactly proven that this island was called that way.
Physical and chemical properties
The main properties of the mineral topaz should include the following:
- Chemical formula: Al 2 [SiO 4] (F, OH) 2.
- Kink: conchoidal.
- Syngonia: rhombic.
- Shine: glass (on the edges of cleavage - pearlescent).
- Hardness - 8 points (on the Mohs scale).
- Density - 3.49-3.57 g / cm 3.
- The refractive index is 1.606-1.638.
- Resistant to acids.
- Chemically damaged by phosphoric salt.
It is worth mentioning another interesting feature of the mineral topaz. Despite its hardness, it is fragile. Even with minor mechanical stresses, the stone may crack or crack.
A bit about the history of stone
The mineral topaz has long been known to mankind. It is first mentioned in the oldest chronicle of the Mahavamsa (VI century BC). The poem tells of the kings of Sri Lanka, who adorned their crowns with these stones. In addition, topaz is mentioned in the "Natural History" of the ancient Roman scholar Pliny, where he is described as a "sparkling golden stone."
The ancient Egyptians attributed this mineral to divine origin. According to their beliefs, the god Ra himself endowed topaz with a bright shine and a golden glow. By the way, the ancient Romans also associated the stone with the deity Jupiter - the patron saint of all the heavenly bodies.
Topaz has always been associated with mysticism and a certain mystery. Historically, a variety of magical properties were attributed to him. So, in the Middle Ages it was believed that this stone is able to pacify sea storms and storms. Therefore, sailors always took it with them.
In Russia, topaz began to be used as an ornamental stone only at the end of the 18th century. Russian jewelers called it the “Siberian diamond”. Topazes were mined in just a few mines. However, very soon they were devastated and closed.
Topaz in nature
Topaz is a typical mineral in such rocks as greisens and pegmatites (granite). Often found in pebble placers. Sometimes a rock-forming mineral can play a role.
Topazes, as a rule, form crystalline bodies of a prismatic or short-columned form. The crystals are large enough, geologists found samples weighing up to 70-80 kg. Sometimes they form splices and massive thin-plate formations.
In nature, the following minerals and rocks are often adjacent to topaz: fluorite, tourmaline, lepidolite, cassiterite, mica, feldspar, morion, smoky quartz and others.
Major deposits
Mineral topaz in nature is quite common. Moreover, its crystals often reach impressive sizes. The main deposits of stone are located in six states of the planet. These are Brazil, the USA, Russia, Japan, Australia and Myanmar.
In the Russian Federation, topazes are mined in two regions - the Urals and Transbaikalia. In the Urals, they are found immediately in four different formations, each of which differs in a peculiar color and specific form of crystals. At one time, fairly common colorless topazs were also mined here.
Colors and varieties
At the word "topaz" in our imagination there is a transparent stone of bright sky color. But actually in nature you can find a huge variety of colors and shades of this mineral: from wine-yellow to dark brown. True, with prolonged exposure to sunlight, this stone loses its original color. Therefore, minerals found on the surface of the earth are often colorless.
The most common types of topaz mineral:
- blue;
- Swiss;
- colorless;
- pink;
- Topaz London Blue.
Next, we will briefly talk about each of them.
Blue topaz
Blue topazes are most valuable to jewelers. Most often they have a pale, barely noticeable color. Less common are topazes in deep blue or sky. Even in ancient times, masters burned such stones in quartz sand, in order to make them brighter. Jewelers of our time also widely use heat treatment for these purposes, or coat pebbles with a thin layer of gold or titanium. This method, in particular, helps to achieve a rainbow shine.
Swiss topaz
Topaz "London" (another name is Swiss topaz) is a mineral of a deep blue color, often with a grayish tint. In nature, such stones are extremely rare. Therefore, jewelry made from genuine Swiss topaz costs a lot of money.
Colorless topaz
This variety of topaz is the most common. In nature, such stones are found quite often, and on all continents. As a rule, colorless topaz lie close to the surface of the earth, so their extraction is not particularly costly. In the future, through simple manipulations, these stones are given one or another shade.
Pink topaz
One of the rarest varieties of topaz. It’s extremely rare to meet a mineral of this color in nature. That is why jewelry from this stone is considered the most exquisite. And their price is appropriate: for just one gram of pink topaz, you will have to pay about 5 thousand dollars.
Topaz London Blue
London Blue is an equally rare variety of topaz, a hard mineral with an original natural coloring. The colors of this stone range from pale blue to blue-green (the color of the sea during a severe storm). As a result of heat treatment, jewelers create even more charming and unusual patterns.
Smoky topaz
Rauchtopaz (other names - “smoky crystal” or “smoky topaz”) is a mineral that has nothing to do with topazes. In fact, this is one of the varieties of quartz. It differs from topaz itself in less hardness. The mineral is mined in Spain, Switzerland, Brazil, the USA and is also widely used in jewelry.
Topaz champions
The largest topaz ever found is considered to be a stone called Eldorado. It was mined in Brazil and is still stored there. Jewelry parameters of this "handsome" are estimated at 31 thousand carats. Among the most valuable and expensive items is the American Golden Topaz of 23 thousand carats. Its mass is 4.5 kg. This sample was also mined in Brazil, but is stored at the Museum of Natural History in Washington.
It is worth telling about the fairy tale topaz. Its weight is relatively small (2.2 kg). But this sample is unique for its numerous inclusions of fluorite in the central part, which in their appearance resemble dandelion inflorescences. Today, a priceless exhibit is kept in Moscow.
Topazes of a rather rare wine-yellow color are mined in Ukraine (in Volyn). The largest crystal of such a coloring was discovered here in 1965. Its mass is more than impressive - 117 kilograms.
Mineral topaz: application in industry and jewelry
It is not surprising that topaz was widely used precisely in jewelry. He is able to create magnificent tandems with gold, silver, platinum. Due to the huge variety of colors and shades, topazes perfectly combine with almost all precious and semiprecious stones.
It is important to note that this mineral can open differently with each new cut, giving rise to unimaginably wonderful plays of light. Often, classic blue topaz is complemented by jewelers with the cool brilliance of diamonds. And such a symbiosis looks just great! By the way, topaz is an evening stone. It must be hidden from direct sunlight.
In addition to jewelry, simple (technical) topazes are also used in industry. First of all, as abrasives. They are also added to the ceramic glaze to give the final hardness.
The healing and magical properties of topaz
In lithotherapy, topaz heals ulcers in the stomach. In addition, it is believed that this stone is able to exacerbate taste sensations. Therefore, they often decorate dishes and kitchen utensils. Mineral topaz protects people from colds, boosts immunity and has a calming effect on the nervous system. An amulet of this stone will help childless couples to acquire long-awaited offspring.
Topaz is considered a stone of prudence and spiritual happiness. He is able to cure a person of prolonged depression and saturate him with optimism. In ancient times, it was believed that golden topaz sharpenes intuition, and also has a unique ability to expose secret conspiracies. But the pink mineral attracts love and ignites a long-cooled relationship.
Who can wear topaz jewelry? It is believed that this is a universal stone that fits absolutely all zodiac signs. But most favorably, topaz acts on Cancers, Pisces and Scorpions. By the way, celebrities such as Kylie Minogue, Charlize Theron and Victoria Beckham love to flaunt topaz jewelry.
