Muséum national d'histoire naturelle _ The species

FROM : Solwezi, Zambia
SIZE : 4.5 x 1.7 cm

This isolated monocrystal of orange topaz is well-formed and has a peaked termination. It measures 4.5 x 1.7 cm. The orange colour reminds the colour of imperial topaz frim Brazil.

This sample comes from Solwezi in Zambia. The Museum national d’Histoire naturelle obtained it thanks to support from Total. It is today kept in the storage rooms of the collections of the Muséum (i.e., not yet displayed to the public).

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

Explore the Mineral Treasures of the Muséum

Welcome to
the Virtual Gallery of Mineralogy

Topaz

Topaz

MNHN N°204.39

general description

The Species page

Mineralogy