Topaz effects and functions

Topaz has several different colors, including red and sherry color, brown and blue. The appearance of topaz determines the price, and the appearance also determines its efficacy. Naturally, the price is relatively higher. Because some people do not understand or understand the secrets, they often ignore how to identify topaz. Let's learn about it.

Quality Evaluation

The most valuable topaz colors are red and sherry, followed by brown and blue. Yellow topaz is similar in appearance to cheaper yellow crystal, so its price is not high. Colorless topaz is the least valuable. In addition, the topaz currently on the market is divided into two categories: natural topaz and optimized color-changed topaz. Large pieces of natural topaz without color change are rare on the market, and since optimized color-changed topaz does not have any other substances added during the optimization process, it is still recognized as a natural gemstone in jewelry appraisal. The most common topaz on the market are blue and pink. However, some of them are made from colorless or brown topaz raw stones, which are optimized and changed in color through radiation and high temperature. Natural bright pink and blue topaz is relatively rare in the country and its international price is also very high. The price of irradiated topaz is slightly lower, and the blue one is lower than aquamarine, but the price of topaz is still generally much higher than that of crystal.

Both natural topaz and color-changed topaz are evaluated based on color, clarity and weight. The best quality ones are dark in color, good in transparency, large in size and without cracks. When purchasing topaz, you should look for rich, pure, uniform color, transparency, few flaws, and a weight of at least 0.7 carats. Topaz is brittle and has cleavage. It is afraid of knocking and falling, and it is easy to crack along the cleavage direction. You should always be careful when wearing it. Because topaz develops cleavage parallel to the bottom, it is necessary to avoid cutting the surface parallel to the cleavage plane. Otherwise, it will be difficult to grind and polish, and care should be taken when setting it to avoid inducing cleavage and destroying the shape of the gem.

The evaluation of topaz is based on color, transparency, clarity, etc. Dark colors are better than light colors, transparent ones are better than translucent ones, and the absence of dirty veins when observed with the naked eye is the basis. The best colors generally recognized are pink topaz and sherry color. The former is rare and more precious purple-red, followed by pink and sherry color, and then blue and yellow.

Blue topaz is the most popular and mid-to-low-end gemstone variety, and is also the best substitute for sapphire and aquamarine. In particular, the color-changed blue topaz can make up for the lack of light color of natural blue topaz, and its price is only one-tenth of that of dark aquamarine.

Generally, yellow topaz has a similar texture to citrine, so citrine has also been included in the list of birthstones for November. Colorless topaz is the least valuable.

Topaz often contains gas-liquid inclusions and cracks, and the one with more inclusions has a lower price. High-quality topaz should have a bright glassy luster. Improper processing will cause the luster to become dull, affecting the price of the gem.

How to distinguish

The quality evaluation of topaz is based on its color, clarity and weight. Generally speaking, the darker the color, the higher the transparency and the larger the block, the better quality the topaz is. So when purchasing topaz, friends should choose topaz jewelry with pure, uniform, transparent color, few flaws and large carat. Topaz is particularly afraid of knocks and collisions, so you must be especially careful when wearing it.

In many cases, crystal, aquamarine, tourmaline, and glass imitations are easily confused with topaz, especially yellow crystal. These gemstones are difficult to distinguish with the naked eye, so special attention should be paid when selecting them. However, it is easy to distinguish topaz and crystal based on the raw materials. Topaz has vertical stripes, while crystal has horizontal stripes. Moreover, topaz is heavier than yellow quartz, so you can weigh it with your hands when buying topaz. Secondly, the luster of topaz is very blended, while the luster of yellow quartz is relatively sharp. Finally, since tourmaline has a strong dichroism, it is easier to distinguish it from topaz.