How come you guys bash.....

[BleedingGem]

Topaz????

 

[jstarfireb]

I don''t think people are bashing topaz in general, just the cheap-looking coated/treated ones. FWIW, I actually like mystic fire topaz. But most people on this forum tend to prefer naturally colored gems over treated ones.

 

[BleedingGem]

thank you for your input...

i just bought a reallly nice flamingo topaz and i''m scared to post about it because of the topaz bashing i see alot of....

i like mystic also btw...

 

[T L]

Some topaz that is natural in color is very nice, such as imperial topaz in red and pink colors. I just have a problem with electron and neutron bombardment in my gems, or gem coatings. Most topaz on the market is treated in either manner.

 

[jstarfireb]

Date: 2/5/2010 12:18:29 AM
Author: BleedingGem
thank you for your input...


i just bought a reallly nice flamingo topaz and i''m scared to post about it because of the topaz bashing i see alot of....


i like mystic also btw...

Post it anyway! I bet people will think it''s pretty even if it''s not their personal style.

 

[DistinctionJewelry]

I don''t bash it! I love it, both natural and irradiated. I only mind treatments that have the potential of wearing off, thus not a huge fan of coated topaz. But I love precious, imperial, and irradiated blue topazes - in fact I just bought myself a huge round blue. Everyone''s treatment threshold is going to be different - if you love it, that''s good enough!

 

[Nomsdeplume]

I like topaz. I have a swiss blue concave cut topaz that I really like. I don''t think people here bash topaz, they (we?) just bash certain treatments. The same is true for sapphires or any other stone.
Post pics.

 

[Kim Bruun]

I think the treated topaz are fun, but tacky. Except Chernobyl blue topaz, which I actively dislike. I am okay with heat treating a gem to make it pretty, but if it needs as drastic measures as irradiation or beryllium treatment, the gem loses its charm for me.

Untreated topaz I have nothing against, but it doesn''t wow me - probably because it has poor dispersion and covers a range of colours that don''t particularly appeal to me. Sapphire and spinel do pink way better than topaz in my book, and after seeing a fiery spessartite, I simply don''t think orange topaz has much to offer.

But if you love topaz, buy away! And be thankful that there is at least one member here who doesn''t contribute to raising the price of topaz.

 

[LD]

I''ve never seen anybody bashed about Topaz! Not sure where you''ve been looking. If people like it they should buy it.

However, the Topaz you''re talking about, Flamingo, Mystic, Twighlight etc etc have all been heavily coated. This forum has members who are gemstone and jewellery collectors. Many prefer more natural gemstones rather than treated stones that don''t have durability.

In actual fact untreated natural Topaz is sought after - but the price reflects that and you won''t be able to buy it in Malls or on jewellery shopping channels.

In all honesty, Topaz is the one gemstone that I truly hate. I have no affinty with it and I would rather spend my money on a natural gemstone that will last. That''s not bashing Topaz it''s purely my own opinion.

 

[Lady_Disdain]

Personally, coatings (no matter what the base stone) is just too much treatment. To me, it is similar to BE diffused, but less lasting.

I do like natural topaz. I have a small pink that is very lovely, the natural blues are similar to light aquas and true imperals are breathtaking.

 

[chrono]

I don’t think there’s any bashing of any particular stones. Liking it or not is a personal preference. Most PSers just happen to prefer their stones to be untouched with only Mother Nature making it as she pleases which means they prefer their gemstones to be untampered with by humans, which means no coating (most topazes are coated), no irradiation (blue topaz, some pink tourmalines), no beryllium heating (colour is infused via very high heat), no lead glass or resin filling and the like. Some even refuse regular heating of sapphires/corundum but most are open to that as it rather common and accepted in the market today.

 

[Arcadian]

I wouldn''t bash a topaz (its never done anything to me). I don''t like coatings on stones, thats a personal thing though.

Untreated topaz are extremely lovely and much more my preference but I do have an irradiated stone though. No collection can be complete without at least 1

While true, we do like to share our purchases and sometimes we share to get some feedback, ultimately, you''re the one that has to wear it and you''re the one that has to like it. I stress that all across this board. Because my opinion isn''t going to mean jack if you''re not happy with what you''ve bought.

Trust, I got plenty of stuff that dosen''t suit other''s tastes!

-A

 

[Arkteia]

I have an old citrine pendant with tiny white topazes and demantoids, and it is lovely. Now I do not buy topazes because a) imperial topaz is rare, expensive and in many times heated (and I prefere not to buy heated stones), and, b) because of the situation with irradiation. Mystic topaz had such a weird name and I never bought it just because it was sold everywhere, even at TJ Maxx, at low prices.

 

[LD]

Date: 2/5/2010 9:23:19 AM
Author: Arcadian
I wouldn't bash a topaz (its never done anything to me). I don't like coatings on stones, thats a personal thing though.

Untreated topaz are extremely lovely and much more my preference but I do have an irradiated stone though. No collection can be complete without at least 1

While true, we do like to share our purchases and sometimes we share to get some feedback, ultimately, you're the one that has to wear it and you're the one that has to like it. I stress that all across this board. Because my opinion isn't going to mean jack if you're not happy with what you've bought.

Trust, I got plenty of stuff that dosen't suit other's tastes!

-A

Arc - you're not telling me that I've got to buy one are you??????? Nooooooooooooooooo pleaaaasssseeeeeeeeeeee!

 

[Arcadian]

Date: 2/5/2010 12:49:16 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 2/5/2010 9:23:19 AM
Author: Arcadian
I wouldn''t bash a topaz (its never done anything to me). I don''t like coatings on stones, thats a personal thing though.

Untreated topaz are extremely lovely and much more my preference but I do have an irradiated stone though. No collection can be complete without at least 1

While true, we do like to share our purchases and sometimes we share to get some feedback, ultimately, you''re the one that has to wear it and you''re the one that has to like it. I stress that all across this board. Because my opinion isn''t going to mean jack if you''re not happy with what you''ve bought.

Trust, I got plenty of stuff that dosen''t suit other''s tastes!

-A

Arc - you''re not telling me that I''ve got to buy one are you??????? Nooooooooooooooooo pleaaaasssseeeeeeeeeeee!

just make sure its reely reely tiny!

. Its not that bad.

TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

 

[chrono]

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM
Author: Arcadian
TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

 

[LD]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:06:03 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM
Author: Arcadian
TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

I believe TL has a bikini made from Azotic Coated Topaz.

 

[Novel]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:25:25 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 2/5/2010 2:06:03 PM

Author: Chrono

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM

Author: Arcadian

TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

I believe TL has a bikini made from Azotic Coated Topaz.

Yikes! All those cutlets!

 

[T L]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:06:03 PM
Author: Chrono

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM
Author: Arcadian
TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

How did you know!!?

. . . and you guys better keep your hands off my topaz bikini. Victoria''s Secret wanted to model it, but I said "no way!!." They chose to model that ugly diamond encrusted bra instead.

 

[Largosmom]

I like Topaz too...the coated ones are not my cup of tea, but that''s OK, if you like it, get it! Just be knowledgeable about what you are getting.

Laura

 

[smitcompton]

Hi All,

I happen to like topaz. I like the swiss blue, which I recently compared to pictures TL posted of paraiba tourmalines. My topaz is the color of top color paraibas. I enjoyed that very much. I now don''t need a paraiba. I also like some London blue topaz. I think the colors are great. If you don''t post your pictures we can''t admire your gemstone.

There are problably closet topaz lovers out there. Lets hear it for topaz.

Thanks,

 

[Arkteia]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:25:25 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 2/5/2010 2:06:03 PM

Author: Chrono

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM

Author: Arcadian

TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

I believe TL has a bikini made from Azotic Coated Topaz.

You tend make certain associations basing on the name. I always imagined TL lying on a couch, lazily stroking tourmalines scattered in front of her...Topazes? They don't fit her.

 

[LD]

Date: 2/5/2010 5:58:36 PM
Author: crasru

Date: 2/5/2010 2:25:25 PM
Author: LovingDiamonds

Date: 2/5/2010 2:06:03 PM

Author: Chrono

Date: 2/5/2010 1:22:15 PM

Author: Arcadian

TL on the other hand I HEARD through the grapevine has a secret shrine decorated with humongus hunks of Mystic Topaz.

-A

I don’t have any topazes either because the colours just aren’t up my alley. Hmmm....TL is awfully quiet this morning; she must be off checking her secret stash of Mystic Topaz.

I believe TL has a bikini made from Azotic Coated Topaz.

You tend make certain associations basing on the name. I always imagined TL lying on a couch, lazily stroking tourmalines scattered in front of her...Topazes? They don''t fit her.

Only because they don''t make Tourmaline''s small enough in a pear shape to fit her thong!

 

[T L]

Thank you, now I feel like I need to do an extra hour on the Nordic Track today. LOL!

 

[LD]

TL read again! You''ll see you have to do LESS time on it!

 

[chrono]

TL lazes on the sofa lazily stroking tourmalines while LD lazes on the sofa lazily stroking diamonds.

 

[Arkteia]

Noo...that is not how I imagine LD. I have been always viewing her in a silk dress, with decolletage and a huge diamond brooch (that is why I thought it was a brooch in your avatar!).

It is funny to imagine how people you have never seen look like just basing on their names and postings.

 

[Brown.Eyed.Girl]

I actually like topaz, though I don''t have any of it right now. Especially the natural golden ones - very pretty!

 

[Burberrygirl]

Date: 2/5/2010 5:37:33 PM
Author: Largosmom
I like Topaz too...the coated ones are not my cup of tea, but that''s OK, if you like it, get it! Just be knowledgeable about what you are getting.

Laura

I feel the same. I like topaz and I don''t think people on PS bash topaz. I think you should buy what you like and I''d love to see pictures

 

[Kim Bruun]

Date: 2/5/2010 5:58:36 PM
Author: crasru

You tend make certain associations basing on the name. I always imagined TL lying on a couch, lazily stroking tourmalines scattered in front of her...Topazes? They don''t fit her.

What an interesting picture I got in my head there! Based on that, I find myself wanting a new name on pricescope... How does tanzanite obsession sound?

Back on topic, a few pricescopers do seem to like topaz, but quite a few seem genuinely indifferent, and a few actually dislike topaz entirely. Topaz has far more detractors than, say, spinel, sapphire, or tourmaline - few categorically dismiss those minerals.

In another thread, monkeypie speculated that topaz is too inexpensive, too common, and too easy to find for pricescopers, who tend to be drawn towards the more awesome stuff.

For me, it is a complex issue. Why am I more drawn towards phenakite than colourless topaz? Probably because phenakite is much rarer. But do they really look that much different? Is the colour and dispersion of spessartite really that much superior to orange topaz that I could never mistake the two? I do not own a single cut topaz, and I''ve never really been wowed by one in person - but I also think that as gem collectors, many of us have also conditioned ourselves to the thought that topaz is a dull dinner guest.