Skip to content
Free worldwide shipping over $500
Collection

Natural Topaz

Sky blue, Swiss blue and London blue describe increasing depth of colour, not different species. Imperial topaz, the natural golden to peach-pink material, is far rarer than any blue topaz and priced accordingly.

In stock
16
From
$77.50
To
$1,497.50
Mohs hardness
8
parcel · 1rough · 1faceted · 14

Gemmology

Family
Topaz
Formula
Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
Hardness
8
Refractive index
1.609 - 1.643
Specific gravity
3.53
Crystal system
Orthorhombic

Treatment & care

Blue topaz is almost always irradiated and heated colourless topaz. The treatment is permanent and the material is safe. Imperial topaz is naturally coloured.

Topaz has perfect basal cleavage, a sharp knock in the wrong direction can split it regardless of its hardness. Never ultrasonic or steam. Avoid prolonged strong light for pink material.

Tradition

Birthstone
November, December
Zodiac
Sagittarius, Scorpio
Anniversary
4th & 23rd
Chakra
Throat (blue), Solar Plexus (golden)

Blue topaz is a throat chakra stone of clear communication. Imperial and golden topaz are associated with confidence and personal power.

Common questions

Is blue topaz natural?

The material is natural topaz, but the blue colour is nearly always produced by irradiating and heating colourless topaz. The colour is permanent and the stones are safe to wear. Naturally blue topaz exists but is pale and commercially rare.

What is imperial topaz?

Imperial topaz is the naturally golden-orange to pinkish material, historically from Ouro Preto in Brazil. It is not irradiated, is far scarcer than blue topaz, and holds its value much better.

Why does topaz chip if it is hardness 8?

Hardness measures scratch resistance, not toughness. Topaz has one direction of perfect cleavage, so an impact aligned with that plane can cleave the stone cleanly even though it resists scratching very well.

Full topaz buying guide →