Podcast Beta
Questions and Answers
What causes the wide variety of colors in topaz?
What is the most rare and valuable variety of topaz?
What is the main purpose of heat treatment in Aquamarine?
What is the leading producer of aquamarine?
Signup and view all the answers
Why does topaz require special care in cutting, mounting, polishing and wearing?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the definition of imperial topaz?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the world's only known source of red beryl?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of heating yellow to reddish brown topaz?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a common morganite treatment process?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the major commercial source of imperial and red topaz?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the trade term for orange-to-yellow and brown topaz ?
Signup and view all the answers
What distinguishes green beryl from emerald ?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the trace element of red beryl ?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the common color of Topaz ?
Signup and view all the answers
Common Topaz treatments are...?
Signup and view all the answers
In what state does aquamarine shows its finest, most saturated color?
Signup and view all the answers
Due to its crystal structure, what cut(s) is common for topaz ?
Signup and view all the answers
The finest Aquamarines are ...?
Signup and view all the answers
What are the most important factors for buyers of treated blue topaz ?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Topaz
- Red and pink topaz varieties, including imperial topaz, are the most rare and valuable.
- Color centers and traces of chromium cause the wide variety of colors in topaz.
- Topaz crystals are often cut as long ovals, pears, or emerald cuts due to their elongated shape.
- Topaz requires special care in cutting, polishing, mounting, and wear due to its cleavage.
Treatment of Topaz
- Virtually all topaz is treated to produce a blue color.
- Treatment involves heating or a combination of heating and irradiation.
Aquamarine
- The finest aquamarines are a moderately strong, medium-dark blue to slightly greenish blue.
- Brazil, Pakistan, and China are leading producers of aquamarine.
- Virtually all aquamarine is heat-treated to remove the yellow color component and produce a more marketable blue color.
Imperial Topaz
- The definitions of imperial topaz can vary widely.
- The Ouro Preto area of Brazil is the world’s major commercial source of imperial and red topaz.
Other Beryls
- Morganite is almost always heated, or irradiated first and then heated, to produce or improve the pink color.
- Traces of manganese cause red beryl’s color.
- The US state of Utah is the world’s only known source of red beryl.
- Tone and saturation levels distinguish green beryl from emerald.
Key Terms
- Imperial topaz: A widely used trade term for gem-quality topaz of medium reddish orange to orange-red color.
- Precious topaz: A trade term for orange-to-yellow and brown topaz.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz covers various types of colored stones, including topaz and aquamarine, their characteristics, and features that affect their value.