White Topaz or more accurately, colourless Topaz is found in many countries. Its main use in the gem industry is the raw material or starter for one of the more prolific gemstones available i.e. Blue Topaz. Colourless Topaz is treated, irradiated and heated in various ways to turn it into Sky Blue Topaz, Swiss Blue Topaz and London Blue topaz. It is also coated in a surface deposition process where it is marketed as Mystic Topaz, a trade name to cover many different colours. White Topaz is produced and exported in large quantities mostly from Brazil, Nigeria and Sri Lanka but it is found in many others among which are Australia, Russia, USA, Pakistan, Japan, Mexico and Afghanistan. It actually makes a nice bright colourless gem when cut and is one of only a few colourless inexpensive gem materials. As with all Topaz it has perfect basal cleavage so ensure facet surfaces are not being cut parallel to the cleavage plane. |