In this article
Written by Sameer
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Topaz, sunehla to most of our customers, rates 8 on the Mohs scale. That makes it harder than quartz and tough enough to hold its polish for years in a ring you wear every day. And yet jewellers see chipped and split topaz all the time. The culprit is cleavage, and once you understand it, looking after topaz is straightforward.
Cleavage: the weak spot
Topaz has perfect cleavage in one direction, which means there is a plane of weakness running right through the crystal. Hit it sharply at the wrong angle, or heat or cool it suddenly, and it can split cleanly along that plane, even though the surface laughs off scratches. So topaz won't wear away, but it can break if it takes a blow.
Wearing it day to day
- Take a topaz ring off for the gym, gardening, heavy lifting and anything else that might bang it against a hard surface.
- A setting that shields the corners and girdle, a bezel or a solidly built prong setting, cuts the risk a lot.
- Get the setting looked at now and then so the stone can't work loose.
Cleaning
Lukewarm water, a little mild soap and a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Keep it out of ultrasonic and steam cleaners, because both the vibration and the heat can set off a cleavage break. Keep it away from very hot water and open flame too, which matters if the piece goes in for jewellery repairs.
Sun and heat
Some natural brown and sherry-coloured topaz can fade if it sits in strong sunlight for long stretches. Store it away from windows and heaters. Most other colours stay put under normal conditions.
Storage
At 8 on Mohs, topaz will scratch softer stones such as opal, pearl and agate, and it can itself be scratched by sapphire, ruby and diamond. Give it its own pouch or a lined compartment.
Is it really topaz?
Quartz and glass are the usual stand-ins. Topaz feels noticeably heavier than a quartz stone of the same size, and under a loupe you may see small cleavage cracks with a rainbow sheen to them. Glass has round bubbles and warms up quickly in your hand. Ask the seller to put in writing that it is natural topaz and whether it has been treated.
Price
Colour, clarity, cut and size decide what topaz costs, with the rich golden and orange shades at the top. We price every stone individually.
Sunehla in tradition
South Asian astrology links topaz with Jupiter, Brihaspati, and it is traditionally worn for wisdom and prosperity. These are beliefs, not guaranteed outcomes, so agree the weight, metal and finger with your astrologer. Our rashi guide lists the usual pairings.
Before you pay
Check that the stone is natural, that any treatment is in writing, and that the weight is for the cut stone. We inspect every stone and photograph each one by itself. Browse our topaz, or compare amethyst and garnet. Urdu and English names are on our gem names page. Orders leave Karachi by insured courier with Cash on Delivery, reaching Karachi addresses in about 1 to 2 working days and Lahore and every other city soon after.
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