Topaz gets a bad rap. Even its name has a rocky past. Fact is this is a great gem; it’s hard, strong and suitable for any type of setting. It is very easy to color with modern treatments and therefore is available in a variety of colors. Some are even iridescent, but be sure you know what you’re getting. Lastly, topaz is very affordable.
In the early days, the name Topaz was a little misused. It is derived from an island in the red Sea now called Zabargad (meaning St. John). The island was formally known as Topazos and was a booming mining area around 3500BC. In those times the Topaz name was used for any yellow, golden-orange and some green gemstones. Today it’s easy to test the gem, so there’s no confusion.
Topaz is a strong stone, having a hardness of 8 on a scale from 1 to 10. Diamonds are a 10 and therefore the hardest. The strength of topaz ensures it will shrug off the casual knock and bump without damage. It can also be set in ways that may damage softer stones, such as in a bezel or channel. It is possible to cause a “cleave” in the stone, where the entire gem will can split. Fortunately this is very rare.
One treatment that has caused problems for this stone is referred to as “Mystic Topaz”. There are many colors and it has become quite popular. The treatment is cheap and easy, however it is only a surface coating (like paint) and is prone to wearing off. Many people snatched up this jewelry only to be disappointed to find their topaz soon missing its mystic luster. Keep these away from ultrasonic cleaner or just leave them at the store.
Expect to pay about $25 to $500 per carat for Topaz. Don’t worry though, that $500/ct is the rare pink/orange Imperial Topaz. In 14k gold jewelry, prices can range from $100 up to $1000. The latter amount in Topaz will buy you a lot of gemstone; you may be sporting a 10ct doorknob.
Don’t let Topaz pass you by. Despite its tumultuous past, it is a great and affordable stone. Its ease of treatment makes for a colorful gem; you can commonly find it blues, pinks, green and even some orange. Its durability will help ensure it’s a long lasting beauty for you. It has been mined and enjoyed for thousands and years and there’s no reason why this should stop.
