AllMineralsRock
Sapphire Vs. Topaz
Sapphire is a very popular gemstone composed of silicon dioxide.[1] Topaz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Sapphire and Topaz
For a quick recap of the differences sapphire and topaz:- In terms of crystallography, sapphire can be hexagonal or trigonal while topaz is orthorhombic.
- For chemical formulas, sapphire is Al2O3 while topaz can be Al2SiO4(F or OH)2.
- While both sapphire and topaz can be vitreous, in terms of luster, sapphire can be adamantine.
- While both sapphire and topaz can be commonly blue, sapphire is often green and topaz is often brown, pink, red or yellow.
- Sapphire's hardness is higher than topaz - sapphire is 9 and topaz is 8 on the Moh's scale.
- Sapphire's specific gravity is higher than topaz - sapphire ranges from 3.99 to 4 and topaz ranges from 3.5 to 3.51.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Sapphire and Topaz
The similarities of sapphire and topaz include:- Sapphire and topaz both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
- Sapphire and topaz both streak colorless.
- Sapphire's rarity is similar to topaz.
Summary of Sapphire
Sapphire is a precious mineral that belongs to the corundum family. It is a variety of aluminum oxide that is distinguished by its blue color, although it can also be found in other colors such as pink, yellow, green, and purple. Sapphire is one of the hardest minerals in the world, with a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale, making it an ideal material for use in jewelry and industrial applications.Summary of Topaz
Topaz is a mineral that belongs to the silicate family. It is a popular gemstone, renowned for its beautiful colors and excellent clarity. Topaz is commonly found in many locations around the world, including Brazil, Russia, Sri Lanka, and the United States. It is a hard mineral, with a Mohs hardness scale rating of 8. This makes it an ideal gemstone for use in jewelry, as it is resistant to scratches and wear and tear.Table Comparison of Sapphire vs Topaz
| Sapphire (src) | Topaz (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent, translucent, opaque | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | Al2O3 | Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | silicon dioxide | aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.99, 4, 4.1 | 3.5, 3.51, 3.53, 3.54, 3.56, 3.56, 3.57, 3.57 |
| Hardness | 9 | 8 |
| Streak | colorless | colorless |
| Crystallography | hexagonal, trigonal | orthorhombic |
| Refractive Index | 1.757, 1.779 | 1.607, 1.649 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green, blue sometimes: pink, amber, yellow less common: gray, black, brown, white, orange, purple, violet, colorless, red, gold, multicolor |
common: pink, red, blue, brown, yellow sometimes: green less common: tan, gray, pale, beige, white, orange, purple, colorless, multicolor |
| Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal, subconchoidal |