ORIGIN
Mount Surprise, QLD

DIMENSIONS
9mm x 7mm diameter

CARAT WEIGHT
2 = 5.13ct

CUT
Octagonal step cut

COLOUR
Good blue

TREATMENT
No treatment

COMMENTS This pair of icy blue topaz’s are well cut, bright and eye clean. Most blue topaz on the market today is irradiated then heat treated to achieve the blue colour, however, these gems have not been treated in any way and the colour is all natural. Today, the world’s major source of topaz is Brazil, with other smaller deposits including Pakistan, Sri Lanka, India and Australia. Gem quality topaz was first found in the New England area of New South Wales as a by-product of metal mining operations. Today, it is found in the New England area and Lightning Ridge in NSW, Mount Surprise and Mount Garnet in QLD, and deposits in Western Australia, also Tasmania.

DURABILITY Topaz is a relatively hard stone at 8 on Mohs scale; harder than quartz but softer than corundum. It has perfect cleavage in one direction which means that care should be taken to avoid sharp blows. However, it is durable enough to withstand everyday wear in protected settings. It should be stored carefully to avoid contact with hard materials which could damage the gem.