topaz

[ toh-paz ]

/ ˈtoʊ pæz /

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noun

a mineral, a fluosilicate of aluminum, usually occurring in prismatic orthorhombic crystals of various colors, and used as a gem.

citrine (def. 2).

either of two South American hummingbirds, Topaza pella or T. pyra, having chiefly red and crimson plumage and a yellowish-green throat with a topaz sheen.

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THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of topaz

1225–75; <Latin topazus<Greek tópazos; replacing Middle English topace<Old French <Latin, as above

OTHER WORDS FROM topaz

to·paz·ine

[toh-puh-zeen, -zin], /ˈtoʊ pəˌzin, -zɪn/, adjective

Words nearby topaz

top, Top 40, topagnosia, topalgia, toparch, topaz, topazolite, topaz quartz, top banana, top billing, top boot

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

MORE ABOUT TOPAZ

What does topaz mean?

Topaz is a transparent gemstone that comes in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, pink, and purple.

Clear topaz is sometimes artificially treated to produce a blue color, among other colors. Topaz is commonly used in jewelry, especially its yellow and orange varieties.

As a gemstone, topaz is considered semiprecious, which is a label given to some gemstones that are not as valuable as those considered precious.

Topaz is the traditional birthstone for the month of November. It is sometimes confused with the other birthstone for November, citrine (sometimes known as false topaz or topaz quartz), due to having similar coloring in some cases. It is also sometimes confused with yellow sapphire for the same reason.

Example: Your ring is beautiful—is that purple topaz?

Where does topaz come from?

The first records of the word topaz in English come from the 1200s. It comes from the Latin topazus, from the Greek tópazos. It may be related to a Sanskrit word meaning “fire.”

Topaz is found around the world and most commonly occurs in igneous rocks. It is composed of hydrated aluminium silicate and is among the hardest minerals. The coloring of yellow topaz is due in part to the presence of iron.

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What are some other forms related to topaz?

topazine (adjective)

What are some words that share a root or word element with topaz?

What are some words that often get used in discussing topaz?

How is topaz used in real life?

Topaz is commonly used in jewelry. Some know it as the birthstone for the month of November.

Literally the first sample I picked up from the floor. This beautiful #topaz in a #Lithium bearing pegmatite pocket made everyone jealous (including my teachers 😁)#MineralMonday #Geology pic.twitter.com/gcXXSXWVrC

— Joana Cardoso-Fernandes (@MicasJoana) April 30, 2018

Here’s an up-close look at the earrings Kyra Sedgwick wears at tonight’s #CriticsChoiceAwards2021, circa-1800s jewels crafted of yellow topaz and diamonds, from Fred Leighton; she’s wearing an antique diamond and enamel snake ring set in 18K gold as well, also from Leighton … pic.twitter.com/HWb7Fb1v6b

— Laurie Brookins (@StyleWriterNYC) March 8, 2021

The Customer-favorite Heart with Garnet Twisted Wire Ring is now available in blue topaz and amethyst. Shop them all at https://t.co/CgAqY5AYBB.

📸: @katrina.perez1 (Instagram) pic.twitter.com/jJ6mY2fYX7

— James Avery Artisan Jewelry (@jamesavery) October 19, 2021

Try using topaz!

True or False?

Topaz is only ever yellow.

How to use topaz in a sentence

A cluster of streets preserves the memory of the time in their names: Topaz Street, Diamond Street, Emerald Square.
Anne Frank’s Amsterdam|Russell Shorto|October 12, 2013|DAILY BEAST
And at the eleventh hour, Peggy Olson (Elisabeth Moss) saves the company by landing an account with Topaz Pantyhose.
‘Mad Men’ New York Premiere: Jon Hamm, January Jones, Creator Matthew Weiner & More|Marlow Stern|March 20, 2012|DAILY BEAST
It consisted in a couple of snakes in old gold clenching an enormous topaz between their heads.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke
Her topaz eyes started to glow and she said, "Just what do you mean by coming up here and—"
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various

They circled fast about her long fingers, the nails of which held topaz yellow polish.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
The lounge was now almost empty of people, though the shaded electric light threw a topaz-coloured radiance over everything.
A Butterfly on the Wheel|Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull
And then the topaz-shaded lights over the lamps—it's all so dreadfully wearing.
A Butterfly on the Wheel|Cyril Arthur Edward Ranger Gull

British Dictionary definitions for topaz

topaz

/ (ˈtəʊpæz) /

noun

a white or colourless mineral often tinted by impurities, found in cavities in igneous rocks and in quartz veins. It is used as a gemstone. Composition: hydrated aluminium silicate. Formula: Al 2 SiO 4 (F,OH) 2 . Crystal structure: orthorhombic

oriental topaz a yellowish-brown variety of sapphire

false topaz another name for citrine

a yellowish-brown colour, as in some varieties of topaz
(as adjective)topaz eyes

either of two South American hummingbirds, Topaza pyra and T. pella

Word Origin for topaz

C13: from Old French topaze, from Latin topazus, from Greek topazos

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for topaz

topaz

[ tō′păz′ ]

A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink orthorhombic mineral valued as a gem. Topaz occurs as transparent or translucent prisms in silica-rich igneous rocks, such as pegmatite, and in tin-bearing rock veins. Chemical formula: Al2SiO4(F,OH)2.

Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.