Mercury Mystic Topaz Gemstone

SIGNIFICANCE

What Is Mercury Mystic Topaz?

Mercury Mystic Topaz is a coated variety of topaz. It starts as natural colorless (white) topaz, which is cut, polished and then finished with an extremely thin metallic coating. That coating produces its signature rainbow, or "aurora," effect, which sets it apart from other members of the topaz family. The topaz underneath is genuine; the color play is a surface enhancement.

It belongs to the wider family of mystic topaz, the name for topaz with an iridescent coating. Mercury Mystic keeps the colorless look of white topaz while reflecting a rainbow of colors, and you may also see it sold as Mercury Mist Mystic Topaz. Shop LC also offers other mystic topaz varieties, such as Northern Lights, Neptune Garden, Ecstasy and Cassiopeia. Because the base stone is topaz, it ranks 8 on the Mohs hardness scale and is a popular choice for November birthdays.

VALUE

What Determines the Value of Mercury Mystic Topaz?

Like other colored gemstones, the value of Mercury Mystic Topaz is determined by color, clarity, cut and carat weight. Because its color comes from a coating, the condition of that coating also affects how the gem looks.

COLOR

The stone is colorless topaz that displays a rainbow of colors, which change with the light source and your viewing angle. An intact coating, free of scratches or worn spots, keeps the rainbow effect looking its best.

CLARITY

Topaz is a transparent gem that is often eye clean, meaning it has no inclusions visible to the naked eye. A clean stone has better brilliance and lets the coating's rainbow colors show clearly.

CUT

Mercury Mystic Topaz is usually faceted, in shapes such as oval, round, cushion and pear. Faceted stones reflect light from many angles, which shows off the shifting colors of the coating.

CARAT

Topaz can form large crystals, so this gem is available in a wide range of sizes. Larger stones make bold statement rings and pendants where the rainbow effect has room to shine, while smaller stones work well as accents and in earrings.

FORMATION

How Is Mercury Mystic Topaz Made?

Mercury Mystic Topaz is created in two stages: nature forms the topaz, and a modern coating process adds the rainbow.

The Natural Topaz: Topaz is a natural mineral made of aluminum, silicon, fluorine and hydroxyl. Most topaz found in nature is colorless, and this clear white topaz is the starting point. Shop LC sources most of its topaz from the mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil, a major supplier of this gem.

The Thin-Film Coating: After cutting and polishing, the gem is placed in a vacuum chamber, where an ultra-thin metallic layer is applied, usually to the underside (pavilion) of the stone. This method is called physical vapor deposition (PVD), or thin-film deposition, and is similar to the process used to coat eyeglass lenses. Light reflecting through the film creates interference colors, much like the rainbow sheen on a soap bubble.

A Patented Innovation: Mystic topaz was popularized by a coating process developed and patented in the late 1990s by Azotic Coating Technology in Minnesota. Today, similar thin-film coatings are used to create many mystic topaz colors.

Treatment Disclosure: Coating is a gemstone enhancement, and leading gem labs report coated topaz as coated. The coating is durable under normal wear, but abrasion, harsh chemicals or high heat can scratch or wear it, which can dull the color play that shifts with the light source and viewing angle. Learn more about common gemstone enhancements.

CARE AND MAINTENANCE

How to Care for Mercury Mystic Topaz

Topaz ranks 8 on the Mohs scale, but it has one direction of perfect cleavage, so a hard knock can chip or split it. The rainbow coating also needs gentle handling.

• Cleaning:

Use only warm water, mild soap and a soft cloth, then rinse and pat dry. Never use ultrasonic or steam cleaners, polishing compounds, abrasive cloths or harsh chemicals.

• Wearing:

Keep it away from chemicals, high heat and sudden temperature changes. Remove it before activities where it could be knocked or scratched, such as working out, gardening or household cleaning.

• Storage:

Store each piece separately in a soft pouch or lined jewelry box so harder gems and metal edges can't scratch the coating.

• Repairs:

Tell your jeweler the stone is coated before any resizing, repair or polishing, since torch heat and buffing can damage the coating.

TYPES

Forms of Mercury Mystic Topaz Jewelry

This gem appears across many jewelry styles:

1. Cocktail and statement rings: Large faceted stones that show the full rainbow effect. Browse topaz rings.

2. Solitaire and three-stone rings: Clean, classic settings that keep the focus on the gem's color play.

3. Pendants and necklaces: A protected, low-wear way to enjoy the coating every day. Explore topaz pendants and topaz necklaces.

4. Earrings: Studs and drop earrings that catch the light as you move. Shop topaz earrings.

5. Jewelry sets: Matching rings, pendants and earrings for a coordinated look.

Metal Pairings: It is often set in sterling silver with a platinum or rhodium finish, and also appears in yellow gold vermeil designs.

FACTS

Mercury Mystic Topaz Facts

Mercury Mystic Topaz is a member of the topaz family with a Mohs hardness of 8, a vitreous (glassy) luster and rainbow iridescence over a colorless base. It is a coated gemstone, and the coating is disclosed as a treatment. Shop LC sources its topaz mainly from Minas Gerais, Brazil. Topaz is a traditional November birthstone. See our birthstones and anniversary gemstones guide.