topaz

Etymology

From Old French topace (compare French topaze), from the Ancient Greek proper noun Τοπάζιος (Topázios), ancient name of St. John's Island, Egypt, in the Red Sea, believed to be the first discovered source of the mineral τοπάζιον (topázion, “peridot”).

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈtəʊpæz/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈtoʊpæz/

Noun

topaz (usually uncountable, plural topazes)

1. a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, usually tinted by impurities
2. An often clear, yellowish-brown gemstone cut therefrom.
   • 2012 March 1, Lee A. Groat, “Gemstones”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, page 128:

     Although there are dozens of different types of gems, among the best known and most important are diamond, ruby and sapphire, emerald and other gem forms of the mineral beryl, chrysoberyl, tanzanite, tsavorite, topaz and jade.

3. A yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.

   topaz colour:  

4. (historical, British India) A black Catholic soldier in the British Army.

Adjective

topaz

1. Of a yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.

Derived terms

See also

• Appendix:Colors
• Killiecrankie diamond

Further reading

• “Topaz” in David Barthelmy, Webmineral Mineralogy Database, 1997–.
• topaz mindat.org‎, Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, accessed 29 August 2016

Noun

topaz m

1. topaz (clear, yellowish-brown gemstone)

Noun

topaz m inan

1. topaz (gem)

Noun

topaz f (Cyrillic spelling топаз)

1. topaz (gemstone)