TOPAZE
Chemical Formula: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2
Familly: Silicates
Status: IMA-GP
Crystal System: Orthorhombic
Mineral for Display: No
Luminescence:
UV Type |
Main color |
Intensity |
Observation Frequency |
|
| | | |
Long Waves (365nm): | Orange | | | Short Waves (254 nm): | Yellow | | | | | | |
Other colors LW: | Yellow , Orangy yellow , |
Other colors SW: | Yellowish White , Pale Yellow , Greenish white , |
Daylight Picture

TOPAZE
Photo and Copyright: Bill Barr
Used with permission of the author;
Short Waves Pictures (254nm)

TOPAZE under SWUV
Photo and Copyright: Bill Barr
Used with permission of the author;
Galerie de photos:

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To the gallery (2 images in the gallery)
Phosphorescence (in the common meaning of the term) seen by naked eye:
No phosphorescence seen by naked eye whatever the type of UVThermoluminescence: Yes
Main Activator(s) and spectrum:
Most Common Activator: TiO6
Other activators: Cr3+ ,
Peaks in the spectrum (nm):
TiO6 : broad band peaking at 455nm
Cr3+ : lines at 680, 684, 695 - 697, 711, 734nm

Spectrum: Michael Gaft, Petah Tikva, Israel. Plot: Institute of Mineralogy, University of Vienna, Austria, with permission of the authors.

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To the spectrum gallery (2 spectra in the gallery)
Comments on activators and spectra:
Broad band peaking at 455 nm (TiO6). lines at 680, 684, 695-697, 711, 734 and band peaking near 680 nm, both due to Cr3+
It is established by Tarashchan that all photoluminescence characteristics of variously colored topazes from Ouro Preto, Brazil are due to three structurally non-equivalent Cr3+ centers isomorphically substituting Al3+ in the topaz structure and forming [CrO4F2]7−, [CrO4OH,F]7−, and [CrO4(OH)2]7− complexes. (Source: Luminescence spectroscopic study of Cr3+ in Brazilian topazes from Ouro Preto by A. N. Tarashchan and Al. see below).
Laser-induced time-resolved technique enables to detect three different Cr3+ and possibly Mn4+ and (TiO4) emission centers (Gaft et al. 2003a)
Best Locality for luminescence(*):
- Shengus, Haramosh Mts., Skardu District, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan (LW: yellowish or bright orange, SW: greenish white or bright yellow)
- Mine de Vermelhão, Saramenha,Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil (very weak or laser induced red,Cr3+);
- Schneckenstein, former DDR, Germany (SW weak Yellow/green (De Ment));
- Boise Co., Idaho, USA (Yellow-orange);
- Zapot Topaz Mine, Zapot pegmatite, Gillis Range, Fitting District, Mineral Co., Nevada, USA (yellow LW);
- Teixerinha Mine, Itinga, Minas Gerais Brazil (06-07/2006, zoned fluorescence SW);
(*)Data are not exhaustive and are limited to the most important localities for fluorescence
Bibliographical Reference for luminescence:
- The Henkel Glossary of Fluorescent Minerals, Dr. Gerhard Henkel, Published by the FMS, 1989 ,
- Fluorescence: Gems and Minerals Under Ultraviolet Light, Manuel Robbins, 1994, Geoscience Press, ISBN 0-945005-13-X ,
- The World of Fluorescent Minerals, Stuart Schneider, Schiffer Publishing, 2006, ISBN 0-7643-2544-2 ,
- Luminescence Spectroscopy of Minerals and Materials, M. Gaft, R. Reisfeld, G. Panczer, Springer Editor, ISBN: 10 3-540-21918-8 ,
- Handbook of Fluorescent Gems and Minerals, a practical guide for the gem and mineral collector, Jack de Ment, 1949 ,
Luminescence Reference on internet:
- Luminescence spectroscopic study of Cr3+ in Brazilian topazes from Ouro Preto by A. N. Tarashchan; M. N. Taran; H. Rager; W. Iwanuch, Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, Volume 32, Number 10 / janvier 2006 (pp. 679-690).
- Time-resolved luminescence of Cr3+ in topaz Al2SiO4(OH,F)2, M. Gaft, L. Nagli, R. Reisfeld, G. Panczer, M. Brestel, Journal of Luminescence Volumes 102–103, May 2003, Pages 349–356
- UV-Waves September/October 1996, UV Minerals in former East Germany by H.J.Weller and J. Slacik reprinted from Fundgrube, XXVI, 1990,#3
Images:
Mineralogical Reference on internet:
http://www.mindat.org/show.php?name=Topaze
http://webmineral.com/data/Topaze.shtml
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