gemstone

White Topaz

Aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide [Al2SiO4(F,OH)2]

Hardness: 8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to very pale blue; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Perfect basal; Specific Gravity: 3.49-3.57

Hardness: 8
Color: Colorless to very pale blue
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified July 6, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 8.0 on Mohs scale; Color: Colorless to very pale blue; Luster: Vitreous (glassy); Crystal Structure: Orthorhombic; Cleavage: Perfect basal; Specific Gravity: 3.49-3.57

Formation & geological history

Formed in igneous environments, specifically within pegmatites and high-temperature quartz veins where fluorine-rich vapors are present during the final stages of magma crystallization.

Uses & applications

Commonly used in jewelry as a substitute for diamond or white sapphire, and as an industrial abrasive due to its high hardness.

Geological facts

White topaz is often irradiated and heat-treated to create the popular 'Blue Topaz' found in most retail jewelry. It is also a pleochroic mineral, meaning it can show different colors in different crystal directions.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its high hardness (it will scratch glass and quartz easily) and its perfect basal cleavage. Often found in river gravels as water-worn pebbles in areas like Brazil or Sri Lanka.

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