Sherry Topaz is a highly prized, warm-toned variety of topaz named for its distinct golden-brown to reddish-brown coloration reminiscent of sherry wine. Collectors should look for intense color saturation, as these stones are often faceted into high-end jewelry and are particularly famous from the Ouro Preto region of Brazil.
Is this sherry topaz?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch sherry topaz with a known reference. Sherry Topaz sits at Mohs 8 — softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Sherry Topaz leaves a white streak.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Sherry Topaz typically shows a vitreous luster.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: yellow-brown, golden-brown, orange-brown.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: orthorhombic. Typical habit: prismatic crystals.
Often confused with
Sherry Topaz vs. its common look-alikes — and how to tell them apart in the field.
How to tell apart: Sherry Topaz is noticeably harder (Mohs 8 vs. 7).
How to tell apart: Sherry Topaz is noticeably harder (Mohs 8 vs. 7).
How to tell apart: Luster reads vitreous on Sherry Topaz and adamantine on Zircon.
Often found alongside sherry topaz
Minerals reported to co-occur with sherry topaz. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂
- Mohs hardness
- 8
- Density
- 3.49-3.57 g/cm³
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Orthorhombic
- Crystal habit
- Prismatic Crystals
- Cleavage
- Perfect Basal
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Uses
- Gemstone, Collector
- Host rock
- Rhyolite Cavities and Pegmatites
- Typical price
- $50-500 per carat depending on saturation and clarity
Where rockhounds find sherry topaz
Classic worldwide localities
- Ouro Preto, Brazil
- Pakistan
- Russia
Field-hunting tip
Look in rhyolite cavities and pegmatites country — that is the host setting where sherry topaz typically forms. If you start seeing quartz, microcline, albite in float, you are in the right ground. Field specimens usually show a prismatic crystals habit, so train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
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Find sherry topaz on the map
RockHoundR shows mapped rockhounding spots, access rules, and lets you log every find.
