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Natural Precious Topaz is available in several different colors: Colorless (White), Yellowish-Orange with some Peach in it (Imperial) as well as Light Blue, Yellow, Orange, and Pink. Topaz is mainly mined in Brazil, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Africa, and China.
Blue is the most popular color used in jewelry. Some Blue Topaz is produced in nature, however, the natural shade is generally too pale to excite any interest. The colors like London Blue, Sky Blue, Swiss Blue, and Maxi Blue start as a near colorless to bluish-gray to silvery-gray to brown to brownish green in color, and they are irradiated with gamma or electron Irradiation to a shade of brown, then heated to produce bold colors like the blue-green color "London Blue", the light blue color "Sky Blue", the medium blue color "Swiss Blue", and the more intense blue color "Maxi Blue". The value increases with the intensity of color, provided it is attractive. At first sight Blue Topaz may have a resemblance to Aquamarine, but, Aquamarine always displays a strong pleochroism from blue to greenish blue, whereas Blue Topaz is a more definite blue or blue with a grayish tone. These colors become permanent treatments to give the gem a very bright, durable, and attractive color, appropriate for any kind of jewelry. There are several other types of treatments being used on some of the Topaz on the market to produce a variety of other colors, but most of those treatments are only on the surface of the gem and/or not permanent treatments, therefore we will not offer them. Topaz is sensitive to rapid heating or cooling, these changes may cause internal breaks, it may be prudent to ask a Jeweler to remove the stone before applying his torch. Strong heat may alter or destroy the color. Topaz is not easily attacked by chemicals. Topaz is a very hard gemstone but it can be split with a single sharp blow, a trait it shares with a diamond. As a result it should be protected from hard knocks when mounting in jewelry. Topaz of any color is the modern birthstone for November, since Yellow is the dominant color used in November birthstone jewelry. Blue Topaz is the modern birthstone for December, since Blue is the dominant color used in December birthstone jewelry.
Natural Yellow Topaz, also known as Golden Topaz, is a precious Topaz, meaning it is natural non-treated Topaz particularly in the Yellow and Orange colors, but also in the Brownish Yellow to Orange Yellow colors. The Brownish Yellow to Orange Yellow colors are the least expensive stones of the Yellow hues. It is easy to confuse Yellow Topaz with the more common and less expensive Citrine and Smokey Quartzes that are often misrepresented as Topaz.
Natural Pink Topaz is a precious Topaz, meaning it is natural non-treated Topaz, usually in a light to medium pink color. It is rare to find stones without the typical zoning of color. The most common cut is oval or pear shape. Pink Topaz is strongly transparent and lustrous, and can be mistaken for Kunzite, Morganite, and Pink Tourmaline. When it is a fairly intense color, it can be one of the most valuable of the second level of gemstones like aquamarine, etc. Pink Topaz comes mainly from Sri Lanka and Brazil.
Imperial Topaz is the most expensive precious Topaz, as well as the most desired of the Yellow tones. Fine Imperial Topaz in the fine cognac colors with a peach blush is both very rare as well as expensive, and the pale pink to sherry red tones are even more so. Imperial Topaz can range in shades of peachy Orange to medium intense Orange to a fine medium reddish Orange, with sherry Red, deep Pink, and reddish Orange hues. Imperial Topaz is found in only a few locations in the world, the small Island Country of Sri Lanka, and Ouro Preto in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Gem experts still expect the Imperial Topaz sources to be completely exhausted within a few years. This is a very highly treasured Collectible Gemstone that will increase in value as supply is reduced.
TREATMENTS - Natural Imperial Topaz is not treated. Natural Yellow Topaz is not treated. Natural Pink Topaz is typically not treated, however sometimes peach colored topaz can be pinked by gentle heating, which is a permanent process. Swiss Blue, Maxi Blue, and London Blue Topaz are Natural Topaz Gems, however, the blue colors are created by gamma or electron irradiating, followed by heating. The typical treatment process for these blue colors is a permanent process that does not adversely affect the performance and durability of the gemstone, so there's no need to worry when you see this enhancement disclosed. There are many other color varities of Topaz, like Mystic Topaz, and other unusual colors, and they did start out as Natural Topaz Gems, but these have been Coated to create the unusual color varieties. The Coating process is not a permanent treatment, when scratched the original color is visible. There are also unusual colors available that have received a Diffused treatment, and this is a permanent treatment, however if subjected to a jewelers torch, or re-cut, the original color is visible. Coating and Diffused treatment methods should always be disclosed, since it does seriously affect value.
CARE - Jewelry featuring Topaz should not be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. We recommend
Ionic Cleaners and/or warm, soapy water and a soft brush as the best way to clean Topaz jewelry.
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