Topaz

Topaz is a rare silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine. Common topaz in typically colorless but trace impurities can turn it pale blue, golden brown, or yellow orange. It is one of the harded of naturally occurring minerals.

According the Roman naturlist Pline, the name of topaz appears to originate from the Greek name for St. John’s island in the Red Sea which at one time was hard to find and which was the origin of yellow stone (believed to be yellowish olivine called chrysolite) in ancient times.

Topaz is a popular gemstone that is also the state gemstone of both Texas and Utah.