Topaz is the hardest silicon-based mineral, and its clarity and beautiful color make this a beautiful and very popular gemstone.

Topaz got its name from the island of Topazos in the Red Sea, which is also known as Zabargad Island–once the source of all the world’s garnets.

Besides being confused with those yellowish-green garnets, topaz used to be the name for any yellow gemstone, but today it refers to just one mineral (which comes in several colors and also happens to be Utah’s state gem).

And yes, you can go out and collect some!

Featured image: Rob Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Sources: Wikipedia. 2018. Topaz. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Topaz Last accessed March 30, 2018.