TOPAZ

WHAT ARE BIRTHSTONES?

• Birthstones are gems that represent someone's birth month.
• "Experts believe that birthstones can be traced back to the bible

MINERALS, GEMS AND ROCKS

• A rock is a combination of MINERALS and doesn't need a definite chemical makeup
• A mineral has a pure CHEMICAL MAKEUP
• And a gemstone is a mineral that people have to represent their birth month

HISTORICAL INFORMATION

• The name topaz means fire
• The topaz was thought to help heal mental and physical disorders
• While the Greeks used it to increase their strength and make someone invisible
• Romans thought it can improve eyesight
• Egyptians used it as an amulet to protect them from injury

ECONOMIC VALUE

• Countries: Russia, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Czech Republic, Germany, Norway, Italy, Sweden, Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Australia, and the United States
• Depending on the color, topaz is either relatively abundant but in some case very rare
• Can be priced from $8-$749

PROPERTIES

• Yes, topaz former in places where numerals can form
• Chemical formula:Al2SiO4(F,OH)2‎
• CRYSTAL STURCTURE: orthorhombic
• HARDNESS is 8 on mohs scale

CONTINUED

• CLEAVAGE
• It's COLOR can vary from yellow, red, pink, blue etc.
• It's STREAK is colorless

GLOSSARY

• Chemical makeup: a concept in chemistry that has different, but similar, meanings if referred to a single pure substance or a mixture.
• Color: it's appearance
• Crystal structure: A set of atoms arranged in a particular way
• Streak: powder

SOURCES

• http://www.gemselect.com/other-info/minerals-rocks-gems.php
• http://www.bernardine.com/gemstones/topaz.htm
• http://www.minerals.net/gemstone/topaz_gemstone.aspx