Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Volhynie, Zhitomir, Ukrania
SIZE : 5.3 x 3.7 x 2.8 cm

This is a sized topaz with a "cognac" colour with lighter zonings. It is sized like a cushion or otherwise called "taille Mazarine", in homage to the cardinal de Mazarin.

It measures 5.3 x 3.7 x 2.8 cm and weighs 485.5 carats. The crystal used to size this specimen comes from the mineral deposit of Volhynie in Ukrania.

Acquired thanks to support from Total, it is currently exposed in the Treasure Room, within the Gallery of Mineralogy of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle.

Photography: Louis-Dominique Bayle, © MNHN.

SPECIE : Topaz

HISTORY : Name inspired by the Greek word "τοπαζιον" [topazion] meaning "searching". This name was given to the yellow cristals found on the Topasos (Zabargat) island in the Red Sea

Species described by Anselmus Boaetius de Boodt (1150-1632), Belgian naturalist

Type-locality: undefined because species already known by the Ancients
ANCIENT NAME : Alumine fluatée siliceuse

CHEMICAL FORMULA : Al2 SiO4 (F,OH)2
CRYSTAL SYSTEM : Orthorhombic
COLOR : Colourless, yellow, pink, orange, blue
DIAPHANIETY : Transparent to opaque
LUSTER : Vitreous
STREAK : White
MORPHOLOGY : Well-formed crystals, prismatic
HARDNESS : 8
DENSITY : 3,5-3,6

CHEMICAL CLASS : VIII - Silicates
GROUP : Topaz
STRUNZ CLASS BEFORE 2001 : 8/B.02-70
STRUNZ CLASS AFTER 2001 : 9.AF.20

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Topaz

Topaz

MNHN N°195.71

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