Topaz Colors - Red, Blue, Pink, Violet, Green and More!
Introduction to Topaz Colors
Topaz is a stunning and versatile gemstone that comes in a wide array of vibrant shades. You might wonder, "What color is topaz?" Well, it's not just one color - this gem appears in everything from golden yellows to blues, pinks, and even colorless varieties. The specific hue of topaz can really affect how it looks and what it's worth. You'll find topaz in shades like yellow, orange, brown, the rare red topaz, blue, pink, violet, and green. Our online store carries nearly every type of topaz gemstone out there.
The Variety of Topaz Hues
Topaz offers an impressive spectrum of colors, making it a favorite for jewelry enthusiasts. Whether you're drawn to subtle pastels or bold tones, there's likely a topaz that fits the bill.
Colorless Topaz and Its History
Colorless topaz is quite common and often gets a brilliant cut to mimic diamond. In fact, one famous colorless topaz was mistaken for a diamond - it's the 1,680-carat Braganza Diamond, once owned by Portugal's royal family. That gem vanished after King John VI's death in 1826. Pretty mysterious, right?
Natural Topaz Shades
The most common natural topaz colors are pale yellow, brown, and gray, with occasional light greens, violets, and pinks. These are frequently treated to boost their vibrancy and appeal.
Blue Topaz: A Popular Choice
Blue topaz is the bestseller in the USA, thanks to its brilliant shine, luster, and clarity at a great price. But naturally occurring blue topaz is rare and usually very pale. The vivid blues you see for sale come from treatments like irradiation and heating. These methods are safe, permanent, and regulated. They produce shades like London blue (deep with a green tint), Swiss blue (saturated medium), and sky blue (bright light).
Imperial Topaz: The Premium Option
The highest-valued topaz is imperial, which spans orange to pink tones. The definition is a bit loose, so you'll see golden orange, peach, and pink sold as imperial. Some light pinks result from heat treatment.
Enhanced Colors Like Pink and Mystic
Bright pink topaz comes from thin-film deposition, a high-tech method that adds a microns-thick metallic layer to alter the optics. This film bonds to the stone's bottom, reflecting colors through the top. It opens up endless possibilities, including electric blue and the prismatic mystic topaz, which stands out for its unique, eye-catching effects.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colors does topaz come in?
Topaz appears in a range of colors including yellow, orange, brown, red, blue, pink, violet, green, and colorless.
Is blue topaz found naturally?
Natural blue topaz is rare and typically very pale; most blue topaz on the market is enhanced through irradiation and heating.
What is the most valuable color of topaz?
Imperial topaz, in shades of orange to pink, is considered the most valuable.
How is mystic topaz created?
Mystic topaz results from thin-film deposition, where a metallic layer is added to produce prismatic color effects.
Can colorless topaz be used as a diamond substitute?
Yes, colorless topaz is often cut to resemble diamonds and has been historically mistaken for them.
