AllMineralsRock
Peridot Vs. Topaz
Peridot is a very popular gemstone composed of magnesium iron silicate.[1] Topaz is also a very popular gemstone and its chemical composition is aluminum silicate.[2]
Quick Facts on Differences of Peridot and Topaz
For a quick recap of the differences peridot and topaz:- While both peridot and topaz is transparent, topaz can be opaque or translucent.
- For chemical formulas, peridot can be (Mg or Fe)2SiO4 while topaz can be Al2SiO4(F or OH)2.
- While both peridot and topaz can be commonly brown or yellow, peridot is often green and topaz is often blue, pink or red.
- Peridot's hardness is lower than topaz - peridot ranges from 6.5 to 7 and topaz is 8 on the Moh's scale.
Quick Facts on Similarities of Peridot and Topaz
The similarities of peridot and topaz include:- In terms of crystallography, peridot and topaz both are orthorhombic.
- In terms of luster, peridot and topaz both are vitreous.
- Peridot and topaz both streak colorless.
- Peridot's rarity is similar to topaz.
- Peridot's specific gravity overlaps with topaz - peridot ranges from 3.2 to 4.39 and topaz ranges from 3.5 to 3.51.
Summary of Peridot
Peridot is a beautiful green mineral that has been used for centuries in jewelry making. It is a type of olivine mineral and is found in volcanic rocks and meteorites. Peridot is known for its vibrant green color, which is caused by the presence of iron. The mineral can range in color from yellow-green to olive green, and can be transparent or translucent.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 Peridot vs Topaz
| Peridot (src) | Topaz (src) | |
|---|---|---|
| Transparency | transparent | transparent, translucent, opaque |
| Chemical Formula | (Mg,Fe)2SiO4 | Al2SiO4(F,OH)2 |
| Chemical Composition | magnesium iron silicate | aluminum silicate |
| Specific Gravity | 3.2, 4.39 | 3.5, 3.51, 3.53, 3.54, 3.56, 3.56, 3.57, 3.57 |
| Hardness | 6.5, 7 | 8 |
| Streak | colorless | colorless |
| Crystallography | orthorhombic | orthorhombic |
| Refractive Index | 1.635, 1.879 | 1.607, 1.649 |
| Hydrous | No | No |
| Colors | common: green, yellow, brown sometimes: olive less common: pale, amber, lemon |
common: pink, red, blue, brown, yellow sometimes: green less common: tan, gray, pale, beige, white, orange, purple, colorless, multicolor |
| Category | silicate | nesosilicate |
| Birefringence | δ = +0.036 | δ = 0.010 |
| Fracture | conchoidal | conchoidal, subconchoidal |