Difference between revisions of "Topaz"
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|enviro=Pegmatites and high temperature quartz veins. Cavities in granites and rhyolites. | |enviro=Pegmatites and high temperature quartz veins. Cavities in granites and rhyolites. | ||
|occur=include Minas Gerias, [[Brazil]]; [[Pakistan]]; San Diego Co, [[California]]; Ural Mountains, [[Russia]]; [[Mexico]] and the Thomas Range, [[Utah]]. | |occur=include Minas Gerias, [[Brazil]]; [[Pakistan]]; San Diego Co, [[California]]; Ural Mountains, [[Russia]]; [[Mexico]] and the Thomas Range, [[Utah]]. | ||
| − | |nameorigin=Named after Topasos Island in the Red Sea. In antique times, the name was probably used for the gemstone that is now known as peridot. | + | |nameorigin=Named after Topasos Island in the Red Sea. In antique times, the name was probably used for the gemstone that is now known as [[peridot]]. |
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Revision as of 03:53, October 29, 2011
| Topaz | |
|---|---|
| |
| Chemical name | Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide |
| Chemical formula | Al2SiO4(F, OH)3 |
| Identification | |
| Colors | Colorless, white, pale blue, light green, yellow, yellowish brown, or red |
| Crystal habit | Prismatic - Crystals Shaped like Slender Prisms (e.g. tourmaline). |
| Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
| Cleavage | Perfect (001) |
| Fracture | Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal |
| Hardness | 8 |
| Name origin | Named after Topasos Island in the Red Sea. In antique times, the name was probably used for the gemstone that is now known as peridot. |
| Specific gravity | 3.5 - 3.6, Average = 3.55 |
| Streak | White |
Topaz is one of the hardest minerals rating an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. Chemically, topaz is Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide Al2SiO4(F, OH)3 and is classified as a silicate. It is commonly used as a gemstone and its crystals can grow to a very large size. Topaz is commonly a shade of yellow or orange, but may also be colorless and is found in the blue and green ranges. Topaz is the birthstone for November.
Gallery
Topaz sample
