Forums
New posts
Search forums
What's new
New posts
Latest activity
Members
Registered members
Current visitors
Charts
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
New posts
Search forums
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Gemstones and Minerals
Topaz, or not topaz. That is the question..?
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Help Support Prospecting Australia:
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.
Message
<blockquote data-quote="shivan" data-source="post: 174991" data-attributes="member: 194"><p>This seems extremely harsh, I actually had to read it a few times to see if I could see any hint at sarcasm or humor, but I see none..... While it may have been a bit rash to go and smash up a nice specimen so quickly, there is no reason to sit on your high horse and look down your nose that way. </p><p>This site is meant to be about helping people out and sharing information, telling him to look through a hand lens ( which from reading his post I would guess he already has) without explaining what to look for is useless.</p><p></p><p>I am by no means an expert, as others have said crystal shape would be first thing to look for then maybe cleavage if present ( two opposing sides would be shiney/reflective, but if water worn just flat), SG is also a great way <a href="http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1137.0" target="_blank">http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1137.0</a> there is a handy post on how to. </p><p>But topaz should be harder than Quartz, try scratching a piece of Quartz on what you are hoping is topaz. The topaz should not be scratched but should be able to scratch the Quartz. A scratch can at least be polished out later on if needed.</p><p>I also have read something about water not being dispersed as easily on topaz as on Quartz ( ball up on topaz, spread out on Quartz) because of its hardness.</p><p></p><p></p><p>Heard the same thing from our geology lecturer, think it had something to do with diamond, ruby and sapphires being "hard" minerals so some of the old timers mistook that for in unbreakable <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite9" alt=":eek:" title="Eek! :eek:" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":eek:" /></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="shivan, post: 174991, member: 194"] This seems extremely harsh, I actually had to read it a few times to see if I could see any hint at sarcasm or humor, but I see none..... While it may have been a bit rash to go and smash up a nice specimen so quickly, there is no reason to sit on your high horse and look down your nose that way. This site is meant to be about helping people out and sharing information, telling him to look through a hand lens ( which from reading his post I would guess he already has) without explaining what to look for is useless. I am by no means an expert, as others have said crystal shape would be first thing to look for then maybe cleavage if present ( two opposing sides would be shiney/reflective, but if water worn just flat), SG is also a great way [url]http://aussielapidaryforum.com/forum/index.php?topic=1137.0[/url] there is a handy post on how to. But topaz should be harder than Quartz, try scratching a piece of Quartz on what you are hoping is topaz. The topaz should not be scratched but should be able to scratch the Quartz. A scratch can at least be polished out later on if needed. I also have read something about water not being dispersed as easily on topaz as on Quartz ( ball up on topaz, spread out on Quartz) because of its hardness. Heard the same thing from our geology lecturer, think it had something to do with diamond, ruby and sapphires being "hard" minerals so some of the old timers mistook that for in unbreakable :o [/QUOTE]
Verification
Post reply
Gemstones, Minerals & Fossils
Gemstones and Minerals
Topaz, or not topaz. That is the question..?
Top