Topaz/ Beryl- Key Terms

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Questions and Answers

What causes the wide variety of colors in topaz?

Traces of manganese

Traces of chromium

Heat treatment

Color centers and traces of chromium (correct)

What is the most rare and valuable variety of topaz?

Imperial, red and pink topaz (correct)

Imperial topaz

Red topaz

Pink topaz

What is the main purpose of heat treatment in Aquamarine?

To increase the value of the stone

To produce a pink color

To enhance the clarity of the stone

To remove the yellow color component, to produce a more marketable blue (correct)

What is the leading producer of aquamarine?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

Why does topaz require special care in cutting, mounting, polishing and wearing?

Because of its cleavage Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of imperial topaz?

A widely used trade term for gem-quality topaz of medium reddish orange to orange-red color Signup and view all the answers

What is the world's only known source of red beryl?

Utah, USA Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of heating yellow to reddish brown topaz?

To produce a pink color Signup and view all the answers

What is a common morganite treatment process?

Almost always heated, or irradiated first and then heated, to produce or improve the pink color Signup and view all the answers

What is the major commercial source of imperial and red topaz?

The Ouro Preto area of Brazil Signup and view all the answers

What is the trade term for orange-to-yellow and brown topaz ?

Precious Topaz Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes green beryl from emerald ?

Tone and Saturation levels Signup and view all the answers

What is the trace element of red beryl ?

Manganese Signup and view all the answers

What is the common color of Topaz ?

Colorless Signup and view all the answers

Common Topaz treatments are...?

Heating or a combination of heating and irradiation Signup and view all the answers

In what state does aquamarine shows its finest, most saturated color?

Large Sizes Signup and view all the answers

Due to its crystal structure, what cut(s) is common for topaz ?

Long Ovals, Pearls or Emerald Cut Signup and view all the answers

The finest Aquamarines are ...?

Moderately Strong, medium-dark blue to slightly greenish blue Signup and view all the answers

What are the most important factors for buyers of treated blue topaz ?

Price and uniformity 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.

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Description

This quiz covers various types of colored stones, including topaz and aquamarine, their characteristics, and features that affect their value.