topaz

[ toh-paz ]

noun

1. a mineral, a fluosilicate of aluminum, usually occurring in prismatic orthorhombic crystals of various colors, and used as a gem.
2. citrine ( def 2 ).
3. either of two South American hummingbirds, Topaza pella or T. pyra, having chiefly red and crimson plumage and a yellowish-green throat with a topaz sheen.

topaz

/ ˈtəʊpæz /

noun

1. a white or colourless mineral often tinted by impurities, found in cavities in igneous rocks and in quartz veins. It is used as a gemstone. Composition: hydrated aluminium silicate. Formula: Al 2 SiO 4 (F,OH) 2 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic
2. oriental topaz
   a yellowish-brown variety of sapphire
3. false topaz
   another name for citrine
4. 1. a yellowish-brown colour, as in some varieties of topaz
   2. ( as adjective )

      topaz eyes

5. either of two South American hummingbirds, Topaza pyra and T. pella

topaz

/ tō′păz′ /

1. A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink orthorhombic mineral valued as a gem. Topaz occurs as transparent or translucent prisms in silica-rich igneous rocks, such as pegmatite, and in tin-bearing rock veins. Chemical formula: Al 2 SiO 4 (F,OH) 2 .
2. Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.

Other Words From

• to·paz·ine [toh, -p, uh, -zeen, -zin], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of topaz¹

1225–75; < Latin topazus < Greek tópazos; replacing Middle English topace < Old French < Latin, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of topaz¹

C13: from Old French topaze, from Latin topazus, from Greek topazos

Example Sentences

The crown glitters with stones including tourmalines, white and yellow topazes, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, peridot, zircons, spinel and aquamarines.

From Seattle Times

It’s set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines.

From Seattle Times

Weighing five pounds, with a velvet cap and band of ermine fur, the crown includes a dazzling array of rubies, amethysts, sapphires, topazes, tourmalines and garnet.

From Salon

The St Edward's Crown, made up of a solid gold frame set with rubies, amethysts, sapphires, garnet, topazes and tourmalines, follows its original medieval forebear in having four crosses-pattée and four fleurs-de-lis.

From Reuters

There are also pink opals, pink malaya garnets, pink topaz.

From Seattle Times

More About Topaz

What does topaz mean?

Topaz is a transparent gemstone that comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and purple.

Clear topaz is sometimes artificially treated to produce a blue color, among other colors. Topaz is commonly used in jewelry, especially its yellow and orange varieties.

As a gemstone, topaz is considered semiprecious, which is a label given to some gemstones that are not as valuable as those considered precious.

Topaz is the traditional birthstone for the month of November. It is sometimes confused with the other birthstone for November, citrine (sometimes known as false topaz or topaz quartz), due to having similar coloring in some cases. It is also sometimes confused with yellow sapphire for the same reason.

Example: Your ring is beautiful—is that purple topaz?

Where does topaz come from?

The first records of the word topaz in English come from the 1200s. It comes from the Latin topazus, from the Greek tópazos. It may be related to a Sanskrit word meaning “fire.”

Topaz is found around the world and most commonly occurs in igneous rocks. It is composed of hydrated aluminium silicate and is among the hardest minerals. The coloring of yellow topaz is due in part to the presence of iron.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to topaz?

• topazine (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with topaz? 

• false topaz
• topaz quartz

What are some words that often get used in discussing topaz?

• gem
• gemstone
• mineral
• stone
• semiprecious
• birthstone
• November
• citrine
• sapphire

How is topaz used in real life?

Topaz is commonly used in jewelry. Some know it as the birthstone for the month of November.

Literally the first sample I picked up from the floor. This beautiful #topaz in a #Lithium bearing pegmatite pocket made everyone jealous (including my teachers 😁)#MineralMonday #Geology pic.twitter.com/gcXXSXWVrC

— Joana Cardoso-Fernandes (@MicasJoana) April 30, 2018

Here’s an up-close look at the earrings Kyra Sedgwick wears at tonight’s #CriticsChoiceAwards2021, circa-1800s jewels crafted of yellow topaz and diamonds, from Fred Leighton; she’s wearing an antique diamond and enamel snake ring set in 18K gold as well, also from Leighton … pic.twitter.com/HWb7Fb1v6b

— Laurie Brookins (@StyleWriterNYC) March 8, 2021

The Customer-favorite Heart with Garnet Twisted Wire Ring is now available in blue topaz and amethyst. Shop them all at https://t.co/CgAqY5AYBB.

📸: @katrina.perez1 (Instagram) pic.twitter.com/jJ6mY2fYX7

— James Avery Artisan Jewelry (@jamesavery) October 19, 2021

 

 

Try using topaz!

True or False?

Topaz is only ever yellow.