10 Random Facts about Topaz

Topaz is the birthstone for the month of November. Enjoy some fun n’ nerdy facts about this gemstone.

1. In its natural state topaz is typically colorless. Trace elements can make topaz a variety of colors ranging from browns, yellows, pink, green and blue!

2. It’s a rare silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine.

3. Pure topaz is often colorless and can be mistaken for a diamond.

4. Topaz typically forms in igneous rocks like pegmatites, granites, and rhyolites. It grows in lava flows!

5. Topaz is a semi-precious gemstone.

6. In 1969 the Texas Blue Topaz was adopted as the state gem. Since I live in Texas, this tidbit struck my interest. Blue topaz is found in Mason County, but its popularity as a locally sourced treasure, makes it more and more difficult to find in that location.

7. It’s one of the hardest naturally occurring gemstone. It’s an 8 on the Mohs Scale. It’s the hardest of any silicate mineral.

8. There are two theories about how topaz got its name. One is that Topaz is named after a small island in the Red Sea named ‘Topazos’ where golden stones were found. But, spoiler alert: the gemstones discovered were not topaz, but peridot! The second theory is that the name comes from the Sanskrit word, “tapas,” which means fire.

9. Topaz can be found in many places. Brazil, Germany, Russia, Nigeria and, as mentioned, Texas, as well as a couple of other states in the U.S.

10. It’s the birthstone for the zodiac sign Scorpio.