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Name:Topaz
Derivation:From "topazos" (Greek) a green gem or "tapaz" (Sanscrit) to glow
Formula: Al2SiO4(OH,F)2
Description: Transparent or translucent crystal, either yellow or blue

Topaz crystal Pliny (the Roman author) describes Topaz as a bright golden transparent stone. However, the name Topaz was used by the ancients to describe several different stones, not necessarily the Topaz of today. The Greek derivation describes it as green!

Nowadays, it is often used in jewelry as a precious stone. The blue Topaz is sometimes used instead of Sapphire. In the photograph above, the large yellow stone is cut.

Larger pictures of Topaz:

A double crystal of topaz (it's been broken in the middle).

Topaz

Topaz is usually thought of as yellow. The first specimen is natural and the second polished (tumbled).

Topaz Topaz

Here is a cut topaz.

Topaz

However topaz can be blue. Here are two polished (tumbled) specimens, one opaque, one transparent.

Topaz Topaz