In this article
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
Reviewed on
White topaz is often bought as an affordable colourless gem, and it can look superb. Owners are often surprised, though, by how quickly it seems to lose its sparkle, or by a chip appearing on a stone that is supposed to be hard. Both have simple explanations, and both are easy to manage once you know them.
Why white topaz goes dull
A colourless stone depends entirely on light entering and bouncing back out. Even a thin film of skin oil, soap or lotion on the back of the stone stops that, and the gem looks grey and lifeless. This is far more noticeable on white topaz than on a coloured stone. The fix is simply regular cleaning.
A cleaning routine that works
- Soak for a few minutes in lukewarm water with a little mild soap.
- Brush gently behind the stone with a soft toothbrush, where grease collects.
- Rinse and dry with a lint-free cloth.
- Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, and avoid sudden temperature changes.
Hard but not tough
At 8 on the Mohs scale topaz resists scratching well. But it has perfect cleavage in one direction, so a sharp knock can chip or split it. Take a white topaz ring off for heavy work and sport, and choose a setting that protects the corners.
Storing it
Keep it in a separate soft pouch. It will scratch softer stones and can be scratched by sapphire and diamond.
Make sure it is topaz
White sapphire and cubic zirconia are the main look-alikes. Cubic zirconia shows strong rainbow flashes, or fire, far more than topaz does, and is noticeably heavier. White sapphire is harder and usually a little more brilliant. A gem tester or lab can confirm the material. Ask the seller to write that the stone is natural topaz and whether it has been treated.
Price
For white topaz the price follows clarity, how colourless it is and the quality of the cut, with size after those. We price each stone individually.
Before you pay
Confirm the stone is natural, any treatment is in writing and the weight is the cut stone's. We inspect every stone and photograph each one alone. Browse white topaz, or compare black agate and iron tiger eye. Our gem names page lists Urdu and English names, and Cash on Delivery reaches Lahore, Karachi and every other city.
References
