Blue topaz is vitreous or glassy in appearance.
The chemical name for Blue topaz is fluoride aluminum silicate. It is a type of crystal gemstone that has been known for over 2,000 years. In fact, it was used to build of the foundations of the Holy City in Jerusalem. Yellow is the most common colored form of topaz, however blue is very decorative and glistens when it is polished. Blue topaz does not have a high street value, so consequently synthetic versions are not manufactured. Therefore, spotting blue topaz is quite straightforward.
Instructions
1. Look at the gemstone closely. Hold it in your hand or put it on a clear, light-colored surface.
2. Measure the stone. Unless you have a very large piece of topaz from South America, the size of the stone will be small and have a maximum length of 1 centimeter, or .39 inches.
3. Squeeze the stone. Blue topaz is very hard and rated as an 8 in hardness by gemstone experts (10 is a diamond). Therefore, when squeezed, the stone should not bend, dent or squash.
4. Assess its color. Although the exact shade of blue varies according to the stone, topaz has a clear, watery quality. Opal has a solid color and blue diamonds are very transparent. Check that the stone is opaque with a bright blue color.
5. Shine a light onto the stone and hold it against the light. Blue topaz can be spotted easily because it glistens and refracts light very effectively. Twist around under the beam to see how the light reflects strongly.
6. Rub the stone with the polishing cloth. You can spot blue topaz by checking that it can be polished. You can polish it quite firmly, as blue topaz will not be damaged by a soft cloth. However, you can scratch it with a rough cloth.
7. Look at the surface of the stone. Identify blue topaz by seeing its surface polished and glistening after you make it shine.
Tags: Blue topaz, blue topaz