Topaz is one of the hardest and most versatile of naturally occurring gemstones. Technically classified as a mineral, Topaz can be found all over the globe, and occurs in a rainbow array of colors from clear, to the familiar brown, from pink, to the state gem of Texas, the blue topaz. It's a stone we all have some familiarity with, but where, exactly, does it come from, and how?
The Topaz
The topaz is one of earth's hardest naturally occurring gemstones, and is found in two places. Topaz grows as a crystal mineral in various granite rocks, and in lava flows.
Central, South and East Asia
The topaz is found and mined in various places all over Asia: Japan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the renowned blue topaz of Sri Lanka.
Europe
The topaz is also found in mountain ranges all over Europe and originates in countries such as Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Norway and Sweden.
South America
In South America, topaz is mined in Brazil.
North and Central America
Finally, topaz can be found in specific sites in Texas and Utah, as well as in Mexico.