Aquamarine Vs. Topaz

Aquamarine is a very popular gemstone composed of beryllium aluminum silicate.^[1] Topaz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is aluminum silicate.^[2]

Quick Facts on Differences of Aquamarine and Topaz

For a quick recap of the differences aquamarine and topaz:

• In terms of crystallography, aquamarine is hexagonal while topaz is orthorhombic.
• For chemical formulas, aquamarine is Be3Al2Si6O18 while topaz can be Al2SiO4(F or OH)2.
• While both aquamarine and topaz can be commonly blue, aquamarine is often green and topaz is often brown, pink, red or yellow.
• Aquamarine's specific gravity is lower than topaz - aquamarine ranges from 2.66 to 2.8 and topaz ranges from 3.5 to 3.51.

Quick Facts on Similarities of Aquamarine and Topaz

The similarities of aquamarine and topaz include:

• Aquamarine and topaz both can be opaque, translucent or transparent.
• In terms of luster, aquamarine and topaz both are vitreous.
• Aquamarine and topaz both streak colorless.
• Aquamarine's rarity is similar to topaz.
• Aquamarine's hardness overlaps with topaz - aquamarine ranges from 7.5 to 8 and topaz is 8 on the Moh's scale.

Summary of Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a blue-green variety of the mineral beryl. It is a popular gemstone because of its beautiful color and clarity. The name aquamarine comes from the Latin words aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning sea. This is because the color of aquamarine is similar to the color of the ocean.

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 Aquamarine vs Topaz