mineral
Raw Topaz (or Smoky Quartz)
Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 / Silicon Dioxide (SiO2)
Hardness 7 to 8 on Mohs scale, vitreous (glassy) luster, translucent to transparent yellowish-brown hue, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal or orthorhombic structure.
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Physical properties
Hardness 7 to 8 on Mohs scale, vitreous (glassy) luster, translucent to transparent yellowish-brown hue, conchoidal fracture, hexagonal or orthorhombic structure.
Formation & geological history
Forms in high-temperature igneous pegmatites and granitic rocks, as well as hydrothermal veins.
Uses & applications
Used primarily in lapidary work, faceted into gemstones for jewelry, and kept as mineral specimens by collectors.
Geological facts
Topaz gets its name from the Red Sea island of Topazios. Pure topaz is colorless, but trace element impurities give it various shades like yellow, brown, blue, or pink.
Field identification & locations
Check hardness: topaz can scratch quartz (7 on Mohs scale) and glass easily. Look for typical cleavage planes or glassy fracture surfaces in stream gravels and pegmatite deposits.
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