The name “topaz” has often been used incorrectly or inappropriately in conversation and commerce. These incorrect uses of a name are called “misnomers”. Misnomers can be used in three ways:
- in innocent ways when the person using the name lacks understanding
- in misleading ways to build perceived value in a low-value material
- in derogatory ways to disparage a product
The word topaz is used in all of the above ways and perhaps more. A list of topaz misnomers is provided below with a brief description for each misnomer. Many of them are archaic, but they can still be encountered in writings and discussions. Professionals in the gem and jewelry industry should avoid the use of these terms and use proper mineral species and variety names.
“Brazilian Ruby” is a misnomer used for pink or reddish topaz with either a natural color or a color that is produced by treatment.
“Brazilian Sapphire” is a misnomer used for blue or green topaz, and sometimes for blue tourmaline.
“Indian Topaz” is a misnomer used for citrine, a yellow color variety of quartz.
“Madeira Topaz” is a misnomer used for dark citrine, the dark yellow, orangy, or reddish brown color varieties of quartz.
“Occidental Topaz” is a misnomer used for citrine, a yellow color variety of quartz.
“Oriental Topaz” is a misnomer used for yellow sapphire, the yellow color variety of the mineral corundum.
“Smoky Topaz” is a misnomer used for smoky quartz, the yellowish brown to brown variety of quartz.
“Spanish Topaz” is a misnomer used for brownish red citrine from Spain which has been heat treated to a red-orange color.
“Topaz Cat’s-Eye” is a misnomer used for a yellow color variety of sapphire that displays chatoyancy.
“Topaz Glass” is a misnomer used for glass made in one of the many color varieties of topaz.
“Topaz Quartz” is a misnomer used for smoky quartz, the dark yellow to yellowish brown to brown varieties of quartz. It is especially used when these materials are produced by heat treating amethyst.
“Topaz Saffronite” is a misnomer used for citrine, the yellow color variety of quartz.
The Federal Trade Commission, in their new edition of Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, clearly indicates that using incorrect varietal names can be misleading and deceptive. Incorrect varietal names are misnomers. A vendor who uses them as product names, or in product promotion, descriptions, labels, etc. might incur civil or criminal liability. For that reason, it is best to avoid misnomers completely. The Federal Trade Commission used the names “green amethyst” and “yellow emerald” as examples of names that are problematic.