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Natural inorganic gem materials · Mineral species · Natural; common industry optimization (verify with certificate)

Topaz

A mineral species with the composition Al2SiO4(F,OH)2; its GB/T basic name is "Topaz", and the Chinese material name "huangyu" refers to the same mineral, which is also "Topaz" in English. Stones turned blue by irradiation must disclose this in the name.

This page compares how the major standards and institutions name it, what must be disclosed when selling it, whether it can be worn every day, how it is treated and identified, and which source each conclusion comes from. Price, rarity and origin are outside the scope of this wiki.

Edited by JuneReviewed by RalphLast updated 2026-10-13Who maintains this page

FAQCare and wear

Questions people ask about Topaz

Every sentence below is followed by the registered fact it rests on; answers add no new facts and promise no outcome.

Q1What colours does topaz come in?

An exceptionally broad range: besides brown, topaz covers many tones and saturations of blue, yellow, green, orange, red, pink and purple, and it is pleochroic, so one gem can look different in colour along different crystal directions.GIA TopazCIBJO's colour list for topaz ranges from colourless through yellow, orange and brown to pink, red and purple-red, as well as blue from light to dark and light green.CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024Pink topaz may contain chromium.GB/T 16553—2017

Q2Is blue topaz natural, or is it treated?

Blue topaz can be produced by treatment: irradiation turns colourless topaz deep blue or brown-green, and it is commonly heated afterwards to give blue, a treatment that is hard to detect.GB/T 16553—2017For example, irradiating colourless topaz with electrons at about 10 MeV creates a sky blue.GIA TopazSome colourless topaz is given an extremely thin metallic-oxide coating; for such coated topaz, GIA notes the coating survives daily wear but abrasive cleaners or buffing wheels remove it.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)Heating also turns yellow, orange and brown topaz pink or red, with a stable result that is hard to detect.GB/T 16553—2017Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.What this page can answer

Q3Is there synthetic topaz, and how is topaz identified?

No synthetic topaz is commercially available.CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022Appearance cannot confirm its identity or treatment state, and look-alike materials may differ in composition; diagnostic properties such as spectral features and trace-element fingerprints must be tested by a qualified gem laboratory.CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Spring 2019It has perfect cleavage in one direction.GB/T 16553—2017Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.What this page can answer

Q4Is topaz durable enough to wear every day?

It needs care: despite Mohs 8, its basal cleavage gives it poor toughness, so a hard blow can split it and extreme pressure or sudden temperature change can break it.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)For valuable topaz, jewellers prefer protective mountings, or pieces that see little wear such as pendants and brooches.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)Prong and bezel settings call for caution, and flush, channel and pavé are best avoided; even light knocks can damage it.Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Q5How should you clean topaz?

Warm soapy water works best, and steam cleaning should be avoided.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)CIBJO advises against ultrasonic cleaning, because some stones can be damaged by it.CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022Chemicals affect it only very slightly.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)High heat or sudden temperature change can break it.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Q6Does topaz fade in sunlight?

Some can: topaz colour is generally light-stable, but yellow-to-brown, reddish-brown and dark-brown stones may fade with long exposure to heat or sunlight.GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)Untreated brown topaz needs special care because it may fade in sunlight.AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.Irradiated yellow to yellowish-brown stones fade too.Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Q7How does topaz form?

Topaz grows in cavities and veins in granite, granite pegmatite, rhyolite and greisen, from high-temperature hydrothermal fluids rich in volatiles, and it is also found as a dense detrital mineral.Handbook of MineralogyMagma rich in volatiles, fluorine, aluminium and silicon evolves to the pegmatitic-hydrothermal stage and releases these hot fluids.Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA TopazIt is typically found with tourmaline, beryl, microcline, albite, fluorite, cassiterite, zinnwaldite and quartz.Handbook of MineralogyThe sources state no absolute geological timescale for topaz formation.Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

Q8What makes good-quality topaz?

According to GIA, red is one of the most sought-after topaz colours, making up less than one-half of 1 percent of facet-grade material.GIA Topaz Quality FactorsThe colour the trade calls imperial topaz is highly prized and very rare.GIA Topaz Quality FactorsGolden or yellow topaz, which lacks imperial topaz's red overtones and is far more abundant, is rated lower.GIA Topaz Quality Factors

Q9What is imperial topaz?

Imperial topaz is a trade name for a highly prized, very rare topaz colour, and many dealers insist the stone must show a reddish pleochroic colour, which often appears at the ends of yellow to orange cut stones.GIA Topaz Quality Factors

Q10What does topaz symbolize, and does it have healing powers?

There is no scientific evidence that topaz has healing powers: the UK advertising regulators ASA and CAP state that they have not seen evidence that crystal therapy can treat medical conditions.ASA/CAP guidance (UK)Its recorded cultural role is as the November birthstone: Jewelers of America and Japan's JJA list it for November, and the U.K. National Association of Jewellers lists it as traditional for November and blue topaz as an alternative for December.Cultural recordsIts name goes back to the Greek topazion, linked to Zabargad Island in the Red Sea, whose olivine was called topaz in antiquity.Handbook of Mineralogy

What this page can answer

This page covers

What we cannot conclude

  • Whether one particular bead is natural, treated or synthetic — only a laboratory report can settle that.
  • Geographic origin, unless an origin report accompanies the item.
  • Price, rarity or investment value: this wiki covers naming and disclosure only.

Material research: formation, causes and history

What authoritative sources say about how this material forms, what causes its colour and optical effects, where its name comes from and how people have used it. Each statement carries an evidence grade and its sources; it describes the material in general, not any specific piece.

How it forms

Numbers in curly braces, such as {111}, are crystallographic face symbols (Miller indices): each marks a set of crystal faces or cleavage planes. They are reproduced as written in the cited source.

Topaz has the formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2, is orthorhombic, has one perfect {001} cleavage, and a Mohs hardness of 8. It grows within cavities and veins hosted by granite, granite pegmatite, rhyolite and greisen, precipitated from volatile-rich, high-temperature pneumatolytic hydrothermal fluids; it also forms through high-grade metamorphism of aluminous, quartz-rich, fluorine-bearing sediments, and occurs as a dense detrital mineral. Topaz spans a very wide range of colours, among them yellow, orange, brown, pink to red, blue, light green and colourless, and it is pleochroic.

Scope: Applies to describing the origin, composition, occurrence and colouration / treatment of topaz as an independent mineral species; does not cover synthetic or imitation materials, nor other materials sharing its Chinese name (such as yellow Hetian nephrite).

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

Where it forms

Within veins and cavities hosted by granite, granite pegmatite, rhyolite and greisen

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

High-temperature, volatile-rich pneumatolytic hydrothermal fluids

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

High-grade metamorphism of aluminous, quartz-rich, fluorine-bearing sediments

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Also present as a dense detrital mineral

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

How it forms, step by step

  1. Volatile- and F/Al/Si-rich magma evolves to the pegmatitic–hydrothermal stage, releasing high-temperature, volatile-rich pneumatolytic fluids.

    Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

  2. In veins and cavities of granite/pegmatite/rhyolite and in greisen, topaz crystallizes from these fluids, typically associated with tourmaline, beryl, microcline, albite, fluorite, cassiterite, zinnwaldite and quartz.

    Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

  3. Topaz may also form through high-grade metamorphism of aluminous, quartz-rich, fluorine-bearing sediments.

    Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

  4. Topaz is weathering-resistant and may survive as a heavy detrital mineral in sediments.

    Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

Link to appearance

Topaz ranges in colour through colourless, yellow, pink, red, orange, brown, green, blue and violet, with a vitreous luster, and it is pleochroic (showing different colours in different crystal directions). Colourless material is often treated by irradiation (e.g. with ~10 MeV electrons) to produce blue. Its colour, together with the typically long columnar habit and perfect cleavage, influences cutting and appearance.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

Timescale

The sources state no absolute geological timescale for topaz formation.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy · GIA Topaz

Supporting findings

Topaz grows within cavities and veins hosted by granite, granite pegmatite, rhyolite and greisen, from volatile-rich, high-temperature pneumatolytic hydrothermal fluids, and it is also found as a dense detrital mineral.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Describes topaz's general setting and forming fluids; it does not infer a specimen's origin or naturalness.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Topaz is typically associated with tourmaline, beryl, microcline, albite, fluorite, cassiterite, zinnwaldite and quartz.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Describes common topaz associations; not every locality contains all of these minerals.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Recorded localities

Authoritative sources list the localities below; the list is not exhaustive.

Locality sketch mapLand outlines only; the map does not depict any national or regional boundary. Dots mark approximate positions. Base map: Natural Earth (public domain).

Africa

Asia

Europe

North America

South America

These are localities recorded by authoritative sources, not an origin finding for any individual piece. The CIBJO Gemstone Book (2022, §4.2.3) says a place of origin names where a gem was mined or harvested, is a matter of opinion, does not imply a level of quality, and that cutting, processing or exporting centres must not be used to imply origin. See how far testing can go on this page, the origin determination guide and the overview of recorded localities.

Causes of colour and optical effects

Topaz is pleochroic: the same gem can look different in colour when seen along different crystal directions. Its range of colour is exceptionally broad, covering - apart from brown - many tones and saturations of blue, yellow, green, orange, red, pink and purple.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes topaz's pleochroism and colour range; it gives no quantitative chromophore attribution.

Sources GIA Topaz

Where the name comes from

The name topaz goes back to Greek topazion, 'to seek', apparently a nod to Zabargad Island (Zabirget or St. Johns) in Egypt's Red Sea — a locality whose whereabouts long stayed hidden and which was known for olivine (peridot and chrysolite), called topaz since antiquity.

Evidence grade B

Scope: The etymology explains only the origin of the name; it does not establish the material's composition, locality, naturalness, or treatment.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Imperial topaz is a trade name for a highly prized, very rare topaz colour. Many dealers insist that a stone must show a reddish pleochroic colour to be called imperial topaz; that reddish colour often appears at the ends of fashioned gems whose body colour is otherwise yellow to orange.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Describes trade usage as reported by one educational source; it is not a formal standard, and whether a stone qualifies rests with a gemmological laboratory.

Sources GIA Topaz Quality Factors

Human use and museum objects

The Met's Roman gem 41.160.1023 (1st century BCE–3rd century CE) has the medium 'Topaz', and 81.6.74 (same period) 'Beryl, yellow, or Topaz' (left open by the museum); the remaining topaz evidence is mainly 18th–20th-century jewellery from India, Java, Morocco and Russia.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Based only on the museum's cataloguing of these specific objects; it is not generalized to widespread practice or universal use of the material.

Sources The Met 81.6.74 · The Met 41.160.1023 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.259 +3

The evidence is chiefly historical jewellery, and the museum's medium wording matters. The earliest are Roman gems at The Met: 81.6.74 'Topaz ring stone' (1st century BCE–3rd century CE), whose medium reads 'Beryl, yellow, or Topaz' (the museum itself leaves it open), and 41.160.1023 'Intaglio' (1st century BCE–3rd century CE), medium 'Topaz'. The rest are mostly 18th–20th-century works from India, Java, Morocco and Russia, e.g. Cleveland 1916.259 turban ornament (India, 1800s), Cleveland 1916.196 turban ornament (Java, 1800s, 'silver and topaz'), the Met 65.265 gold head ornaments (Morocco, 18th–mid-20th century, medium including topaz) and Cleveland 1966.453 'Goldfish' (Russia, St Petersburg, late 1800s–early 1900s, 'topaz…'). Note that several Met works entitled 'Topaz' are commercial lithographs, watercolours or drawings (e.g. the 63.350 cigarette-card series; 59.560.19, a costume design) and not topaz material, so they are not evidence; Met 1980.343.44 is 'Gold, white topaz (?)', the museum flagging the uncertainty.

Sources The Met 81.6.74 · The Met 41.160.1023 · Cleveland Museum of Art 1916.259 +3

Scope: A museum object evidences only that artefact's existence and date; it does not establish widespread ancient use of the material, nor does it authenticate the origin, naturalness or treatment of any modern specimen.

Objects cited

500 BCE0500100015002000Met 81.6.741st century BCE–3rd century CEMet 41.160.10231st century BCE–3rd century CEMet 65.265.1–.2,.6–.718th–mid-20th centuryCMA 1916.2591800sCMA 1916.1961800sCMA 1966.453late 1800s-early 1900s
Dates of museum objectsDates from the museums' open-access records (CC0); each bar spans the whole period named in the record, with qualifiers such as “early” or “possibly” kept in the label rather than turned into a narrower range; an arrow marks a record that reads “before” or “after” a yearSource: The Met / Cleveland Museum of Art open-access records

Cultural records for this material: Birthstone list.

How it is identified

Appearance cannot confirm this material's identity or treatment state, and materials that look alike may differ in composition. Diagnostic measurable properties — such as spectral features and trace-element fingerprints (chemical fingerprints obtained with laboratory instruments such as LA-ICP-MS and EPMA) — must be determined by an accredited gemological laboratory; coatings and irradiation treatments must also be detected and disclosed at sale. This entry gives no self-test criteria: the material must be submitted for testing, and its identification cannot be inferred from appearance.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Conservative handling: no reliable synthetic/treatment comparator is available, so only the 'appearance cannot substitute for testing plus submit for testing' point is kept; testing must be performed by an accredited gemological laboratory.

Sources CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · G&G Spring 2019

Other research findings

Topaz has the formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2, is orthorhombic, has one perfect {001} cleavage, and a Mohs hardness of 8.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Describes topaz's ideal composition and physical properties; not a compositional analysis of any specimen.

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Colourless topaz can be treated by irradiation to produce blue; for example, irradiating colourless topaz with electrons at an energy of 10 million electron volts (10 MeV) creates a sky blue colour.

Evidence grade A

Scope: Describes irradiation colour treatment of natural topaz; it does not cover laboratory synthesis or coating.

Sources GIA Topaz

The stone recorded by the 1988 GIA article Faceting Large Gemstones as the largest faceted natural-colour blue topaz is the Brazilian Princess. Its dimensions are 14.3 by 14.3 by 12.7 cm and it weighs 21,005 ct; Elvis 'Buz' Gray cut it in 1976, and it is held in New York by the American Museum of Natural History. The rough was a natural-colour blue topaz crystal of roughly 90 lb (41 kg). The same article further lists an irradiated blue topaz of 20,769 ct and a yellow topaz of 22,892 ct, then the heaviest faceted gemstone. These figures come from 1988 literature and may since have been overtaken.

Evidence grade A

Scope: A record statement subject to change; the figures come from 1988 literature and may since have been superseded. Distinguish three records: the largest faceted natural-colour blue topaz, the heaviest faceted gemstone (yellow topaz), and the rough crystal (about 90 lb).

Sources G&G Spring 1988

Red is one of the most sought-after topaz colours, making up less than one-half of 1 percent of facet-grade material, and the colour the trade calls imperial topaz is highly prized and very rare; golden or yellow topaz, lacking imperial topaz's red overtones and far more abundant, is rated lower.

Evidence grade B

Scope: Quality factors as described by one educational source; not a grading standard and not a statement about the value of any piece.

Sources GIA Topaz Quality Factors

Limits of this research

  • Research status: Formation, occurrence or other material-specific findings found in authoritative sources
  • The sources state no absolute geological timescale for topaz formation.
  • The chromophores of topaz's individual colours are not systematically attributed by these sources (only irradiation to blue is given as a treatment fact), so no chromophore attribution is made.
  • The cited GIA Encyclopedia page is an overview and gives no P-T conditions for any specific deposit.

Methodology

Evidence grades

A
Standards bodies, government geological surveys, peer-reviewed research and museum records
B
Institutional educational material
C
Specialist databases or cautious readings

A statement is never graded above its strongest source.

This section is LumaLark's own factual restatement of public authoritative sources, credited item by item; it contains no verbatim excerpts, images or third-party logos.

DecideListing name, disclosure, care and treatments

Suggested listing name
Topaz

GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1 “Topaz” · CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.242 “Topaz”

Construction or treatment status

Natural; common industry optimization (verify with certificate)

Treatments recorded for this material: Heated / Heat-treated, Irradiated, Coated, Diffusion-treated

Related:Disclosure and cautions

This page cannot answer

Natural? · Origin · Price

A lab report settles these; this wiki covers naming and disclosure.

Related:What this page can answer

Answer at a glance

Topaz is often subjected to heating, irradiation and coating. Under GB/T 16552-2017, heating counts as an optimization, so the plain gem name may be used (§5.4.2.1 a); irradiation and coating count as treatments and must be stated in the name (§5.4.2.2 a). Do not assume it is unenhanced.

What this means for you

Before buying, check the recommended listing name "Topaz" and any disclosed treatments on this page, and ask the seller for a grading report if in doubt.

Known uncertainty

Last reviewed
2026-09-01

Care and wear

Normal care for every gemstone (CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.1), in brief:

  • Handle it gently.
  • Store pieces apart when not worn, so they cannot scratch each other.
  • Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush.
  • Use ultrasonic cleaners only with caution.

The §6.1 wording and the full list of §6.2 special-care letters cited on this page are on the general gem care page.

Care

care (cleaning)3 sources compared

Topaz — care (cleaning): colourless topaz with an extremely thin metallic-oxide coating: the coating has limited durability; it survives daily wear, but abrasive cleaners or buffing wheels remove it; a mild soap solution is safe.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
coating
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (cleaning): ultrasonic and steamer: use caution; note: avoid thermal shock.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (cleaning): Avoid steam cleaning as well; warm soapy water works best.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (cleaning): Some stones are susceptible to damage from ultrasonic cleaning. Do not expose them to ultrasonic cleaning.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code j

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-25

Topaz — care (heat): High heat or sudden temperature change can break it

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

care (light)2 sources compared

Topaz — care (light): Colour is generally light-stable, but yellow-to-brown, reddish-brown and dark-brown stones may fade with long exposure to heat or sunlight.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (light): may fade or revert to its original colour in strong light; do not wear or leave it in strong light for extended periods.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code f

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
coating, irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (chemicals): Chemicals affect it only very slightly

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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care (wear)3 sources compared

Topaz — care (wear): Treated stones may be even more prone to cleaving

CIBJO Retailers' Reference Guide (2021)

Treatment state
treated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (wear): Basal cleavage makes it poor in toughness despite Mohs 8: a hard blow can split it, and extreme pressure or sudden temperature change can break it; cutters angle the cleavage about 15 degrees from the table to lower the risk.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (wear): cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code b

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (re-cutting): Stones with superficial colour and surface layers are not suitable for re-cutting or re-polishing.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

CIBJO Gemstone Book §6.2:special-care code m

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
diffusion treatment
Source & check 2026-09-25
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (special care): green from diffusion at or near the surface: special care (SC).

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
diffusion treatment
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
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Topaz — care (special care): any surface coating to change colour or look (all colours): special care (SC); avoid repolishing or recutting, steaming, chemicals and ultrasonic cleaning.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
coating
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (special care): untreated brown: special care (SC); may fade in sunlight.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
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Topaz — care (special care): irradiated: blue needs normal care; yellow to orange needs special care (SC), avoiding heat and strong light; green needs extra special care (SC), as it fades in sunlight.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (special care): chromium-bearing pinkish-brown to orange stones heated to pink or red: normal care.

AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th ed.

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
heating
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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care (setting)2 sources compared

Topaz — care (setting): prong and bezel: use caution; flush, channel and pavé: avoid; note: one perfect cleavage, liquid inclusions are common, and even light knocks can damage it.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (setting): For valuable topaz, jewellers prefer protective mountings, or pieces that see little wear such as pendants and brooches.

GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide)

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (repair): polishing: relatively safe; jeweller's torch, pickle pot and thermal shock: avoid; note: avoid heat, which may change or remove colour; thermal shock causes internal cracks.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
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Topaz — care (display): heat in the display case, sunlight and artificial light: use caution; note: some browns fade.

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
untreated
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — care (display): Irradiated yellow to yellowish-brown stones fade

Gems & Gemology 1987 (Martin)

Treatment state
treated
Only after these treatments
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Common care questions and matching entries

Each question links to the matching entries on this page; whether they answer it fully, go by the entry wording.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

QuestionMatching entries
Can it go in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner?colourless topaz with an extremely thin metallic-oxide coating: the coating has limited durability; it survives daily wear, but abrasive cleaners or buffing wheels remove it; a mild soap solution is safe; ultrasonic and steamer: use caution; note: avoid thermal shock; Avoid steam cleaning as well; warm soapy water works best; care (cleaning)
Heat and thermal shockHigh heat or sudden temperature change can break it; polishing: relatively safe; jeweller's torch, pickle pot and thermal shock: avoid; note: avoid heat, which may change or remove colour; thermal shock causes internal cracks
Light and displayColour is generally light-stable, but yellow-to-brown, reddish-brown and dark-brown stones may fade with long exposure to heat or sunlight; may fade or revert to its original colour in strong light; do not wear or leave it in strong light for extended periods; heat in the display case, sunlight and artificial light: use caution; note: some browns fade; Irradiated yellow to yellowish-brown stones fade
Contact with acids, alkalis and household chemicalsChemicals affect it only very slightly
Wearing limits (knocks, settings)Treated stones may be even more prone to cleaving; Basal cleavage makes it poor in toughness despite Mohs 8: a hard blow can split it, and extreme pressure or sudden temperature change can break it; cutters angle the cleavage about 15 degrees from the table to lower the risk; cleaves or fractures easily or is brittle (e.g. rubbed facet edges); wear with care; prong and bezel: use caution; flush, channel and pavé: avoid; note: one perfect cleavage, liquid inclusions are common, and even light knocks can damage it; For valuable topaz, jewellers prefer protective mountings, or pieces that see little wear such as pendants and brooches

Care entries by treatment state

The same entries grouped by the treatment state each applies to; each links to its full wording and source. Letters are CIBJO special-care codes, explained on the gemstone care page.

untreated

any treatment state

treated

treated (Only after these treatments: coating)

treated (Only after these treatments: coating, irradiation)

treated (Only after these treatments: diffusion treatment)

treated (Only after these treatments: irradiation)

treated (Only after these treatments: heating)

Durability and wearing

Toughness

Brittle; toughness rating poor

Fracture

Subconchoidal to uneven

Sources Handbook of Mineralogy

Treatments and identification leads

Registered treatmentsThe registered treatments for Topaz are coating, heat treatment, diffusion and irradiation, all with the status treated. Stability and frequencyCoating has a stability of unstable and a prevalence of common; heat treatment a stability of stable and a prevalence of common; diffusion a stability of stable and a prevalence of occasional; irradiation a stability of stable and a prevalence of almost always. Identification cluesAs identification leads, coating shows an abnormal lustre under a loupe, peeling of the coating layer and characteristic spectral peaks; heat treatment turns yellow, orange and brown Topaz pink or red, with a stable colour that is difficult to detect; diffusion can turn colourless Topaz blue or bluish green by cobalt diffusion, with uneven colour in the surface layer; irradiation can turn colourless Topaz deep blue or brownish green, often followed by heating to obtain blue, and can also deepen the colour of yellow, orange and brownish-green Topaz or remove off-colours, and is difficult to detect.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TreatmentMarket frequency (CIBJO)Stability (CIBJO)GB/T 16552 categoryJJA/AGL listingIdentification leads
coatingStatus: treatedcommonlyunstableTreatment—See identification leads
heatingStatus: treatedcommonlystableOptimizationheating (orangy pink, pink)See identification leads
diffusion treatmentStatus: treatedoccasionallystableTreatment—See identification leads
irradiationStatus: treatedalmost alwaysstableTreatmentirradiation (blue)See identification leads

Where each treatment acts (schematics): Coated · Heated / Heat-treated · Diffusion-treated · Irradiated

“—” means the cited source gives no value for that item, not “none”. Source: CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022 · GB/T 16553—2017; GB/T 16552—2017 Table B.1; JJA/AGL 2025

Whether a treatment has to show in the name differs between the two rule sets (this site’s paraphrase):

  • GB/T 16552—2017: a method classed as treatment has to be stated in the name itself — the method put before the name, or added in brackets after it; a method classed as optimization does not need to appear in the name, though one marked “Optimization (annotation required)” still has to be noted in the quality documents. Source: §5.4.2.1 a), b); §5.4.2.2 a)
  • CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022: no longer splits treatments into ones that need specific disclosure and ones that need only general disclosure: every treatment is to be disclosed, and the seller tells the buyer which treatment was used and what special care it calls for. Source: §4.2.5 Note 2, §4.2.5.1, pp.14–15

What this table covers

What this page can give

  • Registered treatments, their stability and how often they occur (see the table above)
  • Identification leads for each treatment, for use when sending a stone for testing

How lab reports word it

A general LMHC wording rule also covers Topaz (Information Sheet #0): see the LMHC rule “What every report states”.

A general LMHC wording rule also covers Topaz (Information Sheet #8): see the LMHC rule “When colour authenticity cannot be determined”.

VerifyNames, standards, technical facts, clauses and sources

Names

The name register below lists one name for Topaz in a non-Latin script: 1 with no restriction recorded on use as a name.

Standard and listing namesThe Chinese formal name for Topaz is the Chinese name for topaz (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1), and the suggested listing name is Topaz; the mineralogical name is Topaz, with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F,OH)2. Candidate search termsAn older Chinese trade name or synonym, an older material name meaning yellow jade, is not the same as Hetian yellow jade and serves only as a candidate search term. Japanese namesThe GSJ (Japan) formal name is the Japanese name shown on the page. Names in four languagesThe Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English and Japanese names are given in the four-language names, the English being Topaz. National standard namesGermany (RAL) writes Topas, the EU writes Topaz and France (DGCCRF) writes Topaze. Institution usageOn authority wording, GIA, FTC and CIBJO wordings are on record, all as Topaz; Gem-A is unchecked. Bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name, which does not represent their position.

Name register

Every name recorded for this entry, with how it is classified, whether it may be matched to this entry automatically, whether it may be used as a product name, and the clause it rests on.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

NameTypeMatchingUse as a nameBasis
no restriction recorded (1)
黄玉Simplified Chinesehistorical namesearch candidate onlyno restriction recordededitorial ruling (no clause cited)

How each authority words this name: see Names › Authority wording.

Authority wording

GIA, FTC, CIBJO, Gem-A
Topaz (on record for GIA, FTC, CIBJO (GIA Gem Encyclopedia; 16 CFR Part 23 §23.25; CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024 §7.2.1.242); Gem-A unchecked — bodies without a recorded wording show the entry's own English name)
GSJ (Japan) formal name
トパーズ／黄玉
Chinese formal name
托帕石 (GB/T 16552—2017 Table A.1)
Mineralogical name
Topaz, Al2SiO4(F,OH)2

Four-language names

简体中文
托帕石
繁體中文
托帕石
English
Topaz
日本語
トパーズ／黄玉

National and regional formal names

Germany (RAL)
Topas
European Union
Topaz
France (DGCCRF)
Topaze

See also: Misleading and prohibited trade names · Supplementary name index

Classification

Origin
Natural materials
Material domain
Natural inorganic gem materials
Browsing family
Other silicate minerals
Identity tier
Mineral species
Mineral chemical class
Silicates
Construction or treatment status
Natural; common industry optimization (verify with certificate)

Treatments listed by standards

GB/T Table B.1In the “Topaz” row of GB/T 16552—2017 Annex B, Table B.1, heating is listed as optimization, improving or changing colour; irradiation, diffusion and coating are listed as treatment, with the effects respectively of changing colour, changing colour and other aspects of appearance, and improving or changing lustre, colour and other aspects of appearance. JJA/AGL designationsIn the Japanese JJA/AGL 2025 designations, under gem name [colour], Topaz has the species name topaz, in colourless, yellow and brown as well as yellow, brownish yellow and pinkish orange, and the table has a “no treatment” entry, with a note that the OH type is also called Imperial Topaz, the original not saying which colour entry alone this belongs to; Pink Topaz has the species name topaz, in orangish pink and pink, with no “no treatment” entry in the original and heating (heat treatment) listed; Blue Topaz has the species name topaz, in blue, with no “no treatment” entry in the original and irradiation (irradiation treatment) listed. GB/T Table B.1What Table B.1 notes and how the relevant grades are defined are explained on the Gem treatments page.

GB/T 16552-2017, Annex B, Table B.1

Table B.1, row “Topaz” (p.15):

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

MethodEffectCategory
HeatingImproves or changes colourOptimization
IrradiationChanges colourTreatment
DiffusionChanges colour and other aspects of appearanceTreatment
CoatingImproves or changes lustre, colour and other aspects of appearanceTreatment

What Table B.1 is, and how the “see 5.4.1” grades are defined: see the GB/T 16552: optimization vs treatment page.

JJA/AGL (Japan) table of principal gem names, 2025

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Gem nameSpeciesColourListed in the tableNotes
[colour] TopazTopazcolourless, yellow, brownan untreated tier is listedthe OH type is also called imperial topaz; the cell spans the first two colour rows and the source does not say which
[colour] TopazTopazyellow, brownish yellow, pinkish orangean untreated tier is listedthe OH type is also called imperial topaz; the cell spans the first two colour rows and the source does not say which
Pink TopazTopazorangy pink, pinkthe source lists no untreated tier; heating (Heated / Heat-treated)no dedicated entry on this site; shown on the broader entry
Blue TopazTopazbluethe source lists no untreated tier; irradiation (Irradiated)

JJA/AGL definitions and nomenclature (2025 revision), table of principal gem names, p.14

How to read the JJA/AGL table: see the Gem treatments page.

What it is and how it's identified

Topaz has the composition Al2SiO4(F,OH)2, with possible trace elements such as Li, Be and Ga, and pink stones may contain Cr; it is crystalline, orthorhombic, with prismatic crystals usually showing lengthwise striations on the prism faces. Mohs hardness is 8, with perfect cleavage in one direction. Density 3.49–3.57 g/cm³ is derived from the cited clause value 3.53 with tolerance ±0.04. Optic character is anisotropic, biaxial, positive; refractive index 1.609–1.637 is derived from the cited clause value 1.619–1.627 with tolerance ±0.010; birefringence is 0.008–0.01; transparency is transparent. Chatoyancy may be seen but is rare. When untreated, lustre is vitreous; pleochroism is weak to moderate: yellow stones show brownish yellow, yellow and orange-yellow; brown stones yellowish brown and brown; red and pink stones light red, orange-red and yellow; green stones bluish green and light green; and blue stones blue of varying depth.

Registered material facts

Each row carries its own source and check date and can be cited on its own; “—” means the cited source gives no value, not “none”.

Definition

Topaz — nomenclature status: IMA status G: grandfathered (described before the IMA existed, and generally regarded as a valid species).

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Topaz — composition (chemistry): Al2SiO4(F,OH)2; Li, Be and Ga may occur in trace amounts, and pink topaz may also contain Cr.

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — composition (phase): topaz

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Structure

Topaz — structure (overall): crystalline

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — structure (crystal system): orthorhombic

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — structure (crystal habit): prismatic; faces usually striated lengthwise

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Durability

Topaz — Mohs hardness: 8

GB/T 16553—2017

123456789108References (diamond = value, bar = range; below)

Reference points on this site: Talc 1–3, Fluorite 4, Apatite 5–5.5, Orthoclase 6–6.5, Diamond 10 (Source: GB/T 16553—2017); Gypsum 1.5–2, Calcite 3, Quartz 7 (Source: Handbook of Mineralogy); Corundum 9 (Source: GIA Gem Encyclopedia (care guide))

Mohs hardnessSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
General note
hardness only, not durability
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — cleavage: perfect in one direction

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

For Topaz, the stability of coating is “unstable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
coating
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Topaz itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz, the stability of heating is “stable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
heating
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Topaz itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz, the stability of diffusion treatment is “stable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
diffusion treatment
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Topaz itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz, the stability of irradiation is “stable”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
irradiation
Qualification

This says how well the treatment holds up, not how durable Topaz itself is.

General note
no durability verdict here
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Physical properties

Topaz — density: 3.49–3.57 g/cm³

GB/T 16553—2017

0.51.52.53.54.55.56.57.53.49–3.57
Specific gravitySource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 3.53, with a stated tolerance of ±0.04. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Optical

Optical effects on record: chatoyancyrepresentative example: cause in Tiger’s Eye (schematic)

Topaz — optic character: biaxial, optically positive (anisotropic)

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — refractive index: 1.609–1.637

GB/T 16553—2017

1.31.72.12.52.93.31.609–1.637
Refractive indexSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

The clause we cite gives 1.619–1.627, with a stated tolerance of ±0.010. The range shown here is worked out from that.

Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — birefringence: 0.008–0.01

GB/T 16553—2017

00.050.10.150.20.250.30.008–0.01
BirefringenceSource: GB/T 16553—2017
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — transparency: transparent.

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Topaz — pleochroism: weak to moderate. Yellow: brownish yellow, yellow and orange-yellow; brown: yellowish brown and brown; red and pink: light red, orange-red and yellow; green: blue-green and light green; blue: different shades of blue.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-22)
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Topaz — fluorescence (long-wave UV): none to moderate, orange-yellow, yellow, green

GB/T 16553—2017

UV fluorescence (long-wave UV)orange-yellowyellowgreennone–moderateDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — fluorescence (short-wave UV): none to weak, orange-yellow, yellow, green-white

GB/T 16553—2017

UV fluorescence (short-wave UV)orange-yellowyellowgreen-whitenone–weakDots are illustrative colours built from the colour names, not measured values

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — spectrum (UV-visible): non-characteristic

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — spectrum (infrared): diagnostic bands of topaz in the mid-IR

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — optical effect (chatoyancy): seen; rare

GB/T 16553—2017

Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — magnification: gas-liquid inclusions, three-phase inclusions, mineral inclusions, growth striations, negative crystals.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

body colour2 sources compared

Topaz — body colour: colorless, light blue, blue, yellow, green, pink, pink-red, brownish-red, etc.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Qualification

In chapter 5 of GB/T 16553—2017, the colour entries of Apatite, Barite, Amblygonite and other variety clauses also name colourless.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-26)
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Topaz — body colour: Colourless, yellow, orange, brown, pink to red to purple-red, light to dark blue, light green.

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
untreated
Qualification

In chapter 7 of the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book, the colour descriptions of Fluorite, Zircon, Diamond and other entries also name colourless.

General note
colour alone is not identity
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

How the sources relate

GB/T 16553—2017 and CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

complementary, no conflict

Both list colourless, yellow, pink, blue and green. The CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book also lists orange, brown and red to purple-red; GB/T 16553—2017 also lists pinkish red and brownish red.

CIBJO definitions
chatoyancy

Quality factors

Topaz — quality factor (lustre): vitreous

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
untreated
Does this standard apply
applies to this entry
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

1.581.61.621.641.661.683.23.33.43.53.6Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Topaz

This material (RI / SG midpoints): 1.623 / 3.53; Closest values: 1Hemimorphite 1.625 / 3.45, 2Glass 1.585 / 3.4, 3Artificial Strontium Aluminate Borate 1.665 / 3.39, 4Synthetic Jadeite 1.66 / 3.34, 5Peridot 1.672 / 3.38

Show the full chart (330 registered materials)1.41.51.61.71.81.922.12.22.32.41234567Refractive indexSpecific gravity12345Topaz

Outside the full chart's range, drawn as triangles at the edge (RI / SG midpoints): Hematite 3.045/5.12, Synthetic Rutile 2.76/4.26, Rutile 2.753/4.23, Synthetic Moissanite 2.67/3.22

Refractive index × specific gravity (all registered materials)Each dot is one material's registered refractive index and specific gravity (range midpoints, not measurements); gold = this material, dark = the nearest few (picked on this site by distance in RI ÷ 0.02 and SG ÷ 0.1, leaving out near-identical varieties of the same species)Source: each material's registered refractive index and specific gravity facts (GB/T 16553 and others; sources on each entry)

Testing and market

The tests the CIBJO laboratory protocol requires for this material, and what each method means, are in the protocol table on the laboratory testing page: §6.1.85.

How far testing can go

Topaz that has undergone heating can be identified by the following features: Heating yellow, orange and brown topaz turns it pink or red; the result is stable and not easy to detect.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
heating
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (heating) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz that has undergone coating can be identified by the following features: Under magnification the surface luster is abnormal and the film can be seen peeling off in places; refractive index readings may be abnormal; infrared and Raman spectra show characteristic peaks of the film.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
coating
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (coating) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz that has undergone diffusion treatment can be identified by the following features: Cobalt diffusion can give colourless topaz a blue or blue-green colour. Under magnification with immersion or scattered light, the colour of the surface layer looks uneven and patchy, or concentrates in fissures and hollows.

Compositional analysis (such as XRF) finds an abnormal amount of a diffused element such as cobalt in the surface layer, decreasing in concentration inwards.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
treated
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
diffusion treatment
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (diffusion treatment) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz that has undergone irradiation can be identified by the following features: Irradiation turns colourless topaz deep blue or brown-green, and it is commonly heated afterwards to give blue; yellow, orange and brown-green topaz can be irradiated to deepen the colour or to remove an unwanted secondary colour. Hard to detect.

GB/T 16553—2017

Treatment state
irradiated or dyed
Does this standard apply
can be followed as a reference only
Treatment
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-21
Source
  • GB/T 16553—2017 Gems — Testing (GB/T): §5.1.13 (irradiation) (locator checked 2026-09-21)
Fact checked on
2026-09-21

Topaz — synthetic counterpart on the market: No synthetic counterpart of this material is commercially available

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz in trade, the reported frequency of coating is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
coating
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz in trade, the reported frequency of heating is “commonly”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
heating
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz in trade, the reported frequency of diffusion treatment is “occasionally”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
diffusion treatment
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

For Topaz in trade, the reported frequency of irradiation is “almost always”.

CIBJO Gemstone Book 2022

Treatment state
treated
Treatment
irradiation
Source & check 2026-09-22
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-22

Topaz — what the CIBJO laboratory protocol says to watch for: coatings, irradiation and heat treatment

CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024

Treatment state
any treatment state
Source & check 2026-09-26
Source
Fact checked on
2026-09-26

Each row's “Source & check” expands to the full source; the date beside it is the fact check date.

Clause-level definitions

Topaz is defined directly by the Topaz entry in the CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024, and the cross-check result is: defined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex. The colours given in the definition include colourless, yellow, orange, brown, pink to red to purplish red, light to dark blue and light green, and it is noted as transparent. Topaz also has a registered entry in the IMA list of minerals, under the name Topaz, listing Topaz, Al2SiO4F2 and IMA nomenclature status G; it was cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA list of minerals main table, using public-domain data.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

TermClauseDefinitionCross-check
Topaz7.2.1.242Colourless, yellow, orange, brown, pink to red to purple-red, light to dark blue, light green; transparent. May show chatoyancyDefined directly by CIBJO; also present in the GB/T annex.
TopazIMA Mineral List entryTopaz Al2SiO4F2 G ?Cross-checked against the RRUFF/IMA master mineral list (public domain data).

Evidence and sources

Authority basis and clause sources

GB/T 16552—2017
Listed Table A.1 “Topaz” · Source
CIBJO Gemmological Laboratories Book 2024
Listed §7.2.1.242 “Topaz” · Source
IMA Mineral List 2026-07
Listed “Topaz” · Source

Sources

Further reading

Related pages

Treatments recorded for this material

Recorded cultural contexts

Birthstone list

The U.S. Jewelers of America roster lists Topaz for November; the U.K. National Association of Jewellers chart lists Topaz as traditional for November and Blue Topaz as an alternative for December; and Japan's JJA 2021 revised roster lists Topaz for November. This records trade-association convention only; it does not establish material identity, natural origin, treatment, provenance, or effect.

Relation
Industry list inclusion

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

Publisher or holderRegionFrom / periodSource and locator
Jewelers of AmericaUnited States1912 to the presentJewelers of America, “Birthstone Jewelry” (web page, consulted 2026-08-22)
Birthstone roster table, November row: Topaz
Japan Jewellery AssociationJapanfrom 20 December 2021Tanjoseki (Japanese birthstone roster, Japan Jewellery Association page; revision of 20 December 2021)
2021 revised birthstone roster, November row: Topaz
National Association of JewellersUnited Kingdom—National Association of Jewellers, “Zodiac Birthstones Jewellery: Star Signs, Gemstones and Their Meaning” (web page, consulted 2026-08-22)
Zodiac birthstone chart, November row: Topaz (Traditional); December row: Blue Topaz (Alternative)

Related entries and topic cluster

Parent entry and related pages on this site. Rows marked “Planned” are suggested new content and have no link yet.

This table scrolls sideways on narrow screens.

PageContentStatus
Browsing familyOther silicate mineralsLive
Treatments recorded for this materialHeated / Heat-treated, Irradiated, Coated, Diffusion-treatedLive
Related articlesTo be added (placeholder)Planned

Who maintains this page

The material facts in the Topaz entry are maintained by the LumaLark wiki and matched one by one to the standard clauses or institutional sources they cite: every fact carries its source (with a clause or page locator) and a check date, so it can be traced back to the original; clause-level definitions also carry a cross-check result. The entry exists so that buyers and sellers can check naming, disclosure and material facts item by item.

Facts editor
June
Reviewer
Ralph
How facts are checked
Each fact is matched to the clause it cites; facts checked between 2026-09-21 and 2026-09-26
Last revised
2026-10-13
Purpose
Lets buyers and sellers check naming, disclosure and material facts clause by clause.

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