Aussie Lapidary Forum
Gemstones & Jewellery => Gem of the Month => Topic started by: Wwoofa on November 07, 2011, 01:10:41 PM
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Hi,
I thought I'd kick this new category off with my favorite gem .... Topaz.
I'm not sure what everyone might find useful. I'll start with some links to the basic information & main fossicking locations. I'll also include some specimen pictures. Hopefully others will add more information & pics. If anyone has any questions specifically about Topaz then this might be a good place to post them? People with facetting designs or hints etc may also like to add that info here?
Let us know what else you'd like to see in "Gem of the Month".
General Information:
Here's a few useful links that should cover all of the main information.
Wikipedia - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz)
Mindat - http://www.mindat.org/min-3996.html (http://www.mindat.org/min-3996.html)
Webmineral - http://webmineral.com/data/Topaz.shtml (http://webmineral.com/data/Topaz.shtml)
Minerals.Net - http://www.minerals.net/mineral/topaz.aspx (http://www.minerals.net/mineral/topaz.aspx)
Fossicking Locations:
QLD - Mt. Surprise (O'Briens Creek)
This is the most popular destination for Topaz fossickers. Clear & blue Topaz can be found as crystals or (more commonly) rounded pebbles. Specimens range in size from small to very large (> 500 carats).
Further information is in the attached PDF file.
QLD - Innot Hot Springs (Mt. Gibson)
Another excellent location for clear Topaz. Specimens are generally in crystal form.
Further information is in the attached PDF file.
QLD - Stanthorpe
Rounded pebbles of clear & blue Topaz can be found in Broadwater Creek, Spring Creek & Quart Pot Creek.
There is also a fossicking area nearby at Swipers Gully ... see attached PDF file.
QLD - Emuford
Good location for blue Topaz crystals.
NSW - Torrington
Clear & blue Topaz can be found at many areas in the State Recreation Area. Some of the more well known areas are Blatherarm Creek, Dingo Gully & Scrubby Gully.
Here are links to previous threads ....
Blatherarm Creek ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=123.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=123.0)
Scrubby Gully ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=578.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=578.0)
Dingo Gully ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=571.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=571.0)
NSW - Oban/Sara/Henry Rivers
Excellent specimens have come from these rivers but most access is now on private property. There is a public fossicking areas on the Sara River at Kookabookra which is an old tin mining area. The source of the Topaz is probably tin-bearing pegmatites but the stones have never been found in situ.
Here's a link to a previous thread ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=313.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=313.0)
TAS - Flinders Island
Topaz crystals can be found in the sands of Killiecrankie Bay on Flinders Island. They are known as "Killiecrankie Diamonds".
Here's a link to a previous thread ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=514.0 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?topic=514.0)
VIC - Strathbogie
Clear & blue Topaz can be found in the area.
VIC - Powelltown
Clear & blue Topaz can be found in the area. See Jamo's very excellent pics later in this thread !
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Good one to start with Paul.
Yellow (or Imperial) Topaz is also the birthstone for November (along with the cheaper stone of similar colour Citrine) so topaz is a good choice to kick off this new category.
Some good info on Topaz at the Mindat website here:
http://www.mindat.org/min-3996.html (http://www.mindat.org/min-3996.html)
The google map at that link has some good leads on where to find Topaz across Australia although the marker right on Glen Innes is bit misleading.
Some more info on Topaz from Bernardine Fine Art Jewelry:
http://www.bernardine.com/gemstones/topaz.htm (http://www.bernardine.com/gemstones/topaz.htm)
Topaz now comes in an amazing variety of colours and effects - although most know about the irradiation treatment to produce blue topaz, you need to be aware of the newer coating treatments for topaz which can be less than permanent if treated roughly. Basically, if the stone is a really intense and/or unbelievable colour, then it is likely to be coated as natural topaz tends to be far more subtle in colouring.
More info here: http://www.azotic.us/gems.php (http://www.azotic.us/gems.php)
cheers
Leah
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Awsome information all in the one place guys. For me as a Victorian it is great to be able to look at the one page and have all this info together. Great idea.
Cheers,
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Great idea to aggregate this stuff thank you. Not much I can add to topaz, look forward to future gems of the month.
David
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For those unfamiliar with the search process on this forum, try clicking on the heading FORUM on the bar at the head of this page and then type in topaz in the search box. This will lead you to pages of collective wisdom (and ignorance - take your pick). No doubt clicking on MEDIA and searching there will lead you to lots of pretty pictures. No it doesn't, it only searches FORUM again. I wonder why that is?
Have fun.
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Here's a link to a NSW DPI publication with some good info & a map of NSW occurrences.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/238213/Topaz.pdf (http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/238213/Topaz.pdf)
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Some topaz I have owned
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/201111092006739.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/201111092006313.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011110920062131.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011110920062232.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011110920067895.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011110920073530.jpg)
(http://www.varockhounder.com/uploads/2011110920076108.jpg)
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Some very beautiful examples there :)
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Very nice Barrett, did you find them?
Claude
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Hey Claude, nope I did not find them. The two bi-colors come from the Vermillion mine in Ouro Preto Brazil. The purple Ouro preto as well. The sherry from someplace in Brazil(maybe irradiated) and the colorless.light peach from pakistan
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Here are links to some previously posted pics ....
Jerry's O'Briens Creek album ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=20 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=20)
Chris's album with lots of excellent pics from Stanthorpe ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=69 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=69)
Berylman's Emuford album ... http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=84 (http://aussiesapphire.com.au/forum/index.php?action=media;sa=album;in=84)
Some of my pics ...
[smg id=2874 type=preview width=200 caption="Oban River"]
[smg id=773 type=preview width=200 caption="Scrubby Gully"]
[smg id=593 type=preview width=200 caption="Flinders Island"]
[smg id=274 type=preview width=200 caption="Torrington"]
[smg id=149 type=preview width=200 caption="Blatherarm Creek"]
[smg id=2945 type=preview width=200 caption="Blue Hills (Mt Surprise)"]
Other ALFer's pics ...
[smg id=2336 type=preview width=200 caption="Jamo's from Strathbogie"]
[smg id=2878 type=preview width=200 caption="Findem's from Rainy Swamp"]
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Here's some of mine from Torrington ... the stone on the far right had a bit of purple/mauve about it and you can see a tinge of blue in some of the stones at the back. The largest stone is the 10mm round on the left.
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awsome stones all
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Very excellent Fullerton ... They look amazing when they are cut so nicely beers
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Yes the Torrington stones are great but I'd swap them all for some of the colour shown in Barretts items.
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Topaz was Minerama "Gem of the Year" in 1995. A booklet was produced with some great info & pics. There may still be copies available from the Glen Innes Tourist Info Centre?
The Topaz field trips were ...
Surface Hill (Gulf Rd, Emmaville) ... "Willow Creek" which was then the home of "The Fruit Salad Tree Company". This is a well known location for Topaz. Field trips are still run occasionally during the Emmaville Show.
Henry River (private land) ... well known for it's excellent Topaz including blues & greens.
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I'm with Woofa ... topaz is my favourite stone too. Favourite used to be petrified wood/fern until I found some REALLY NICE topaz a couple of weeks ago. Will try & post a pic but having difficulty with this at the moment. Jamo :P
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Gippsland Topaz found near Powelltown (VIC). Was really excited when I turned these up. Largest stone is just over 200cts with no flaws!!! ;D
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Smarty pants :P
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Those two large blue topaz are superb!
Rockman
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That is a fantastic result, looks like I will have to head up to Powell Town sometime soon, how were the leeches?
Cheers Cain
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The leeches are swarming ... the worst I've ever seen. Thankfully I have waders that keep my lower half clear ... the top half gets smothered in insect repellent. Who cares when you get a good find ... it's worth it! :P
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wow..some pretty decent topaz finds I see.....well done guys!
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It's not often we southerners can boast about our finds but I also plucked a 200+ carat blue topaz out of a stream near Powelltown a couple of years ago, but by crikey Jamo your finds are mighty fine
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Good on you Lapis, there's got to be more out there. It's just a case of puttin' in the work & a bit of luck! :D
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If you are ever up for a joint venture Jamo, just send me a note
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I back up Lapis there Jamo, anytime you looking for a digging buddy, just let me know.
Cheers,
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Perhaps we can organise an exploration trip early in new year. Things are hectic at the moment with work etc. Keen to go though! Jamo :)
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I'll be up for it whenever you are ready (pending work and family commitments)
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Likewise, name a time and date and I am there. beers
Cheers,
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Me too please Jamo ... never fossicked in Vic but I'm v keen to learn beers
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Sign me up too. I will make myself available, I can't seem to be able to insert any pictures of my topaz at the moment, give me time,
Cheers,
Cain
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Cain, yes you would be welcome too. Would like to see your photo, it is a bit hard to get an idea from the one on your logo.
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Me too please Jamo ... never fossicked in Vic but I'm v keen to learn beers
Ditto Jamo :)
Did try once but the it decided to flood at Eldorado the one time I went down to Vic :'( so no fossicking.
Would like to give fossicking a try in the deep south.
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Looks like we might have a "mini minerama" thing happening here .... with the added advantage that we can get some gumbo, tex-mex & fried chicken :D
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Jimny, Went fossicking at Eldorado a couple of weekends ago. It was a nice weekend but my experience of the fossicking was not brilliant. Got quite a lot of specks of gold, some very small sapphires, topaz & garnets. Also got a few bits of quartz crystal but nothing worthwhile in the lot as far as polishing goes. Still it was a good weekend with other fossickers from vic & sa. You always live in hope of finding something good every time you go out. 8)
Woofa, As far as the fossicking goes I am not wanting to create a big event out of it. Just want it to be a few fellow fossickers out on the hunt enjoying each others company.
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Another note on my Eldorado weekend. On the way up I stopped in at my "lucky hole" at Strathbogie. Myself and a couple of mates managed to pull a heap more smalls out of it (including a couple of well formed crystals. There would only be a few facetables out of the lot, but nothing like the big blue I got on my first trip. The hole is cleaned out now so will have to try & locate another lucky hole on another dig. Another good reason to visit the area again.
Happy fossicking. Jamo ;)
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Hi Jamo,
You've got nothing to worry about .... a big event for us is "a few fellow fossickers out on the hunt enjoying each others company". But maybe we could add a couple of other locations to the trip like Mortlake, Eldorado & Mooralla. I've never been to any of them so it would be quite a interesting trip.
Regards, Paul
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I can remember as a teenager fossicking around in the creeks around Powelltown and I can also remember how cold the water can get up there.
I reckon those that aren't from the New England area would find it, now how did Woofa put it - that's right, 'interesting'.
Garry
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Yeah, real leeches too, not little nandypandy ones from North of the border :P
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Yeah, real leeches too, not little nandypandy ones from North of the border :P
Plenty of tiger leeches in NSW
Counted 20 hanging off my waders one time.
As for icy water that is fine and better still there are no active leeches ;D
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Does anyone know how common green topaz is naturally? I found a few bits the other day, I haven't seen it in that colour before.
Unfortunately they are all small except for one bit which has some bad cracks, might cut a small stone. Two of them are bi-coloured, part blue and part green.
Cheers
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I haven't heard of Topaz that colour, but green and blue green Saphires could be a possibility.
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Green topaz are rare and a bi colour is realy rare...well done I've seen one green natural topaz and it was remarkable.. In bi colour I have seen clear/blue and pink/blue. Can you post a picture would love to see them.
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Will do, soon as I get home, cant do it from this device.
My bi-coloured bit won't cut a stone with both colours in it but the bit father in law just might.
She's definately topaz Rusted, we got a fair bit of colourless and pale gold stuff as well, though it was all small. Father in law found some bigger bits between 20 and 30 carats but they are bombs. A bloke we met there had some stonking sherry-coloured bits 60 carats plus but we didn't find any that big. First glance you would have said citrine going on the colour but the four-sided Crystal rather than six with striations running the length of the crystal rather than across is unmistakable. Looks exactly like the smaller bits we found, just bigger and deeper coloured.
Next time............ :)
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Awesome...where were you. I didn't realize we had sherry colour in Oz.
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Lefty I presume you were at Mt Gibson.
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Yep, Mount Gibson. Helluva track in though - definate low range four wheel drive the whole way once you go through the gate.
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It is rough...watched a video of up that way
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Hi,
There is blue & green fluorite in that area as well .... might be some of that? A quick specific gravity test would confirm it either way.
Regards, Paul
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Could well be Paul - the blue and green bits are not in the recognizable four sided topaz Crystal shape. That might put paid to my plans to set it in a ring :P fluOr it's is pretty soft isn't it?
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