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| Color |
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Sky blue to a dark medium
blue |
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| Gem Family |
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Topaz is a gem family
that includes the relatively rare precious topaz,
the coveted sherry-red to orange imperial topaz,
and the delicate pink topaz. However this gem family
is most well known for enhanced blue topaz, the
most affordable and available of gems. |
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| Source |
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Pale topaz which can
be enhanced to become blue is found in Brazil, Sri
Lanka, Nigeria, and China. The gems are usually
cut before they are treated, since the process can
be pricey and stones with inclusions may fracture. |
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| Clarity |
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Blue topaz should have
no visible inclusions |
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| Size Range |
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Any size |
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| Shapes Available |
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Any shape |
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| Enhancement |
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The strong icy blue color
of blue topaz is created by exposing colorless topaz
to irradiation and heat. Lighter colors are created
by electrons and the darker blue known as London
or Super blue is created by neutrons. Some gem treaters
have secret recipes to create particularly pleasing
hues so the exact procedure is often secret. The
process can take minutes or years, as high-energy
processes require that the topaz is stored before
it can be released safely. |
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| Lore & History |
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Legend that topaz dispels
all enchantment and also helps to improve eyesight.
The ancient Greeks believed that it had the power
to increase strength and make its wearer invisible
in times of emergency. Topaz was also said to change
color in the presence of poisoned food or drink.
Blue topaz is an alternate birthstone for December. |
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| Toughness &
Hardness |
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Topaz has a hardness
of 8 on the Mohs scale and it is quite durable. |
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| Care & Cleaning |
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Topaz is a very hard
gemstone but it can be split or "cleaved" with a
single blow, a trait it shares with diamond. As
a result it should be protected from hard knocks.
Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub
behind the stone where dust can collect. |
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| Price Range |
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Blue topaz ranges from
$10 to $50 per carat |
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| Special Characteristics |
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Perhaps the most famous
topaz is a giant specimen set in the Portuguese
Crown, the Braganza, which was first thought to
be a diamond. There is also a beautiful topaz set
in the Green Vault in Dresden, one of the world's
important gem collections. |
