Characteristics of Topaz:

Chemical Name: Aluminum fluorosilicate

Formula: Al₂(F,OH)₂SiO₄ 

Colors: Yellow, golden, orange, pink, green, blue, colorless

Structure: Orthorhombic

Hardness: 8

Specific Gravity: 3.5-3.6

Refractive Index: 1.62-1.63

Lustre: Vitreous

Streak: White

Locations: Brazil, Russia, Germany, Nigeria, Afghanistan, USA, Pakistan, Japan

What is Topaz?

Once, it was believed that all yellow gems were Topaz, and that all Topaz was yellow – however, neither statement is true. Some Topaz is yellow, but it can also be colorless, blue, green, sherry, and its most valuable color variation, pink. It is fairly refractive, splitting light into its constituent colors; as a result, colorless Topaz resembles diamond, and has often been mistaken for it. Additionally, some blue Topaz is almost indistinguishable from aquamarine. A certain number of gems on the market have been treated by heat and irradiation to change their color.