How is Topaz Obtained?
Prospecting and Mining The ground is prospected. When deposits are found then the process of digging begins. Topaz is usually mined using the surface mining method, as with an open pit mine. Underground mining is also used. How deep the deposit is determines which type of mining to use. Color Treatments: Radiation, Heat, Coating and Diffusion To produce man-made blue topaz, topazes are irradiated. There are several kinds of radiation including low energy gamma rays, and electron and neutron radiation. The European standard of irradiation is less than 2 nCi/gram and the American standard is less than 1 nCi/gram. Rays such as low energy gamma rays usually don’t produce radio-isotopes. The color produced from these waves isn’t as strong and tends to be unstable. Neutron and electron radiation treatments tend to be more radioactive. Companies that work with the neutron treatments keep the treated gemstones in secure storage rooms in order for the radiation to wear off. To obtain a sky blue
