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November Birthstone - Topaz
Buying and Caring tips
Tips for Buying Topaz Jewelry
Prices for these gemstone range between $5 and $100 per carat for a one-carat
stone.
Topaz has many lower priced imitators that include synthetic corundum and
synthetic spinel as well as citrine quartz; the latter often sold under the
misleading name of "Brazilian Topaz." More recently, colorless quartz crystals
that are coated with a monomolecular layer of gold have been substituted for blue
topaz. These stones have been sold under several trade names such as Aqua-AuraTM.
Topaz is usually easily separated from its imitators by refractive index---few
materials fall into this range, except tourmaline which is so strongly doubly
refractive that one will observe doubled back facets when looking through the
table of the stone with a small magnifier (about 6 to 10 power). Topaz rarely
comes in the same shades as tourmaline either.
Tips to take care of Topaz Jewelry
Give topaz the same care you would an emerald. Although it is hard, it cleaves. A
sudden temperature change or impact can cause a break. Clean with a soft, damp
cloth, warm water and a soft brush. Do not use mechanical cleaners. Avoid
chemicals and heat that dissolve oils used during cutting and processing to
conceal inclusions.
Back to Topaz Birthstones Summary Page
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