The facts
What topazolite actually is
Mineralogically, topazolite is andradite (garnet group) — Ca₃Fe₂(SiO₄)₃, crystallising in the cubic system.
The colour is caused by fe³⁺ giving yellow to honey tones. That is worth knowing because it determines what heating, light and time can and cannot do to the stone.
A refractometer reads 1.875–1.895, and the specific gravity sits near 3.80–3.90; cleavage is none.
Where topazolite comes from
The recognised sources are Val Malenco, Italy, Ala Valley, Piedmont, Italy and Sonora, Mexico.
Origin affects price in this material, so we name the locality on every quote rather than the country. "African" or "Asian" tells a buyer nothing.
How topazolite is treated
Untreated. Rarely found in facetable sizes — most crystals are small and reserved for mineral specimens.
None of this is a problem when it is said out loud. It becomes one the moment it is left out.
What topazolite is confused with
The usual confusions are Demantoid, Grossular, Yellow sapphire and Sphene.
The separation is rarely a matter of opinion: refractive index 1.875–1.895 and specific gravity 3.80–3.90 settle most of it in a minute, and magnification settles the rest.
What topazolite is used for
Topazolite is bought by mineral collecting and jewellery — and each of those trades wants a different form of the same material.
We quote each application in the unit that trade actually buys in, by the specimen or by the carat.
Durability and care
Hardness 6.5–7; cleavage none. That combination decides what it can safely be set into.
With no cleavage plane to worry about, the practical limit is abrasion rather than breakage, and it takes daily wear well.
Warm water, mild soap and a soft brush. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners on anything fracture-filled, stabilised, dyed or visibly included.
What topazolite costs
Indicative pricing for topazolite is $50–500/ct for clean faceted stones.
That is a range, not a quote. Colour, size, clarity, cut and origin move the figure a long way inside it, and the only honest price is one given against a specific stone. Send us what you need and we will price it.
Questions
Is topazolite treated, and how?
Untreated. Rarely found in facetable sizes — most crystals are small and reserved for mineral specimens.
Where does topazolite come from?
Val Malenco, Italy, Ala Valley, Piedmont, Italy and Sonora, Mexico. Origin affects price, so we name the locality rather than the country on every quote.
Is topazolite hard enough to wear every day?
Yes. At 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale with no cleavage plane, it handles daily wear well. The practical limit is gradual abrasion rather than chipping.
How much does topazolite cost?
Indicatively $50–500/ct for clean faceted stones. Colour, size, clarity and origin move the price a long way within that, so treat it as a range and ask for a quote against a specific stone.
What is topazolite confused with?
Most often Demantoid, Grossular, Yellow sapphire and Sphene. A refractive index of 1.875–1.895 and a specific gravity near 3.80–3.90 separate it quickly.
Related stones
Looking for topazolite?
Tell us the size, the quality and what it is for. We source it, photograph it and quote it — with the locality named.
Ask about topazolite