Topaz
Topaz is a mineral composed of aluminum,
silicon, oxygen and fluorine. Topaz occurs in many colors including deep
golden orange, yellow, brownish-yellow, pink, red and various shades of
blue. It may also be colorless. Topaz is often used as a gemstone. In the
mineral table of hardness. topaz has a hardness of 8. Topaz can scratch
quartz but not corundum, the hardest mineral next to diamond.
The most valuable topaz is golden
orange in color and is known as imperial topaz. Colorless and pale blue
topaz are much less expensive and more abundant. The color of topaz may
be enhanced by various techniques such as heating and irradiation ( exposure
to nuclear radiation).
Some
topaz crystals have been found that weigh several hundred pounds or kilograms.
Large beautiful topaz stones are the pride of many museums.
Topaz
is the birthstone of November. By: Holly
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