Topaz

History
Perhaps known as early as the first century AD, topaz was the name originally associated with all transparent yellow gemstones. After falling into relative obscurity, the stone regained popularity around 1737 when fresh deposits were discovered in the Saxon region of Europe.

Features
Coming in a variety of colors ranging from colorless and yellows, blue and pink, topaz is frequently free of inclusions. Topaz has excellent cleavage in one direction, and must be handled carefully to avoid chipping or breakage. It is harder than quartz and is well suited for jewellery.

Treatments
Topaz may be heated to turn reddish brown stones pinkish to purplish red, and pale blue topaz may be heated or irradiated to deepen and intensify the color to a bright blue or even a dark blue. Much of the intense blue topaz in the market today has been treated.

Principal Deposits
Topaz can be mined currently in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Russia, Pakistan and China.

Rarity 
Topaz is relatively abundant, however finding naturally occurring specimens of good pink or blue color is very rare. Naturally occurring green topaz is also very rare.