Yellow topaz is an inexpensive, but beautiful gemstone used in jewelry.
Yellow topaz is a variety of the gem topaz that is mined from fluorine deposits around the world. A common and relatively inexpensive stone used in jewelry, yellow topaz is often confused with citrine and smoky quartz. Topaz is also found naturally in a variety of colors besides yellow and is sometimes altered for color enhancement.
History
The name topaz as a classification of gemstones has several possible origins. One origin is likely derived from the ancient Greek island of Topazios, which was once a source of the gemstone known today as peridot. The name topaz may also come from the Sanskrit word "tapaz," which means "fire."
Until the 1950s the name topaz was used to describe many different kinds of yellow stones, regardless of the stone's chemical properties or characteristics. However, the incorrect categorization of stones has largely been remedied.
Topaz Coloration
Topaz is found in a variety of colors. Most topaz naturally occurs in a yellow-orange or colorless hue. However, it can also be blue, green, pink, red and purple.
Many topaz stones are treated with different techniques, such as heat, to enhance or change the stone's color. Yellow topaz is often heated to produce a pink stone, and it can also be irradiated and heated to produce a blue stone. Yellow topaz is often referred to as sherry topaz.
Location and Value
Topaz is found in a multitude of locations and requires a source of fluorine to form. Yellow topaz occurs in large amounts in Brazil, Mexico, Germany, Sri Lanka and Burma. Small amounts of yellow topaz also occur in the United States. Topaz also occurs in other colors in Pakistan, Nigeria, Russia, Zimbabwe and Australia.
As of 2009, yellow topaz, as one of the most common forms of topaz, was valued at approximately $50 per carat. Despite its commonality, yellow topaz is still more valuable than blue topaz, which, as of 2009, was priced at between $1 and $10 per carat. Rare colors of topaz, such as reds and violets, were valued at between $300 and $1000 per carat in 2009.
Uses
Yellow topaz is most commonly used in jewelry and is the birthstone for the month of November. Blue topaz, similarly, is used as the December birthstone. Any color of topaz is also an appropriate gemstone for the observance of a 4th, 19th or 23rd wedding anniversary.
Topaz was also used by many ancient civilizations. The Egyptians associated topaz with the Sun god Ra, and the Romans believed topaz represented Jupiter.
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