The type of irradiation used to transform colorless topaz into blue topaz can cause the irradiated material to become slightly radioactive. Fortunately, the radioactivity level of the topaz begins to decline as soon as treatment is complete. It eventually declines to a level that is safe for the topaz to be handled during manufacturing and be sold to the public in jewelry.

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission requires all irradiated gems and gem materials to be securely stored until their radioactivity decays to a level that is safe for manufacturing and sale. This is done to protect employees of the gem and jewelry industry and the jewelry-buying public.

All companies who distribute newly irradiated gems in the United States must be licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. They must also conduct radiological surveys of all materials in secure storage to be sure that no gems are released until their radioactivity declines to a level that will not pose any health risks.

The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has detailed information about irradiated topaz and other gemstones on their website. They also have answers to frequently asked questions. Two answers that we believe will be of interest to our readers are quoted in the box on this page.