Sapphire vs. Topaz — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 3, 2023
Sapphire is a precious gemstone typically blue, made of corundum. Topaz is a separate gemstone, often yellow, but can come in various colors.
Difference Between Sapphire and Topaz
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sapphire is a mineral variety of corundum, renowned for its typically blue hue, but it can also be found in pink, yellow, and other colors. Topaz is chemically different, primarily a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine, and can appear in an array of colors, including blue, clear, and the characteristic yellow.
While sapphires are prized for their hardness, second only to diamonds on the Mohs scale, and their rich, deep colors, topaz is less hard and the pure form is transparent. However, impurities can result in varied colors, including the famed imperial topaz with its orange-pink hue.
Sapphires are often associated with royalty and are considered one of the "big four" of precious stones, alongside diamonds, rubies, and emeralds. Topaz, though also valued, is more abundant and thus generally less expensive, and has a distinct place in both jewelry and historical artifacts.
The value of a sapphire is determined by its color, clarity, carat, and cut. The most sought-after sapphires feature a deep, intense blue. Topaz values are similarly assessed but can vary more widely due to the broader range of available colors and clarity, with the rare red and pink shades being the most valuable.
Cleaning and care for sapphires typically involve mild soap and water, or professional cleaning solutions. Topaz is also durable but requires avoidance of prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight which can fade its color. Both gemstones are used extensively in jewelry but sapphires are often more prominent in high-end pieces.
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Comparison Chart
Chemical Composition
Aluminum oxide.
Aluminum silicate with fluorine.
Hardness
9 on the Mohs scale.
8 on the Mohs scale.
Typical Color
Blue.
Yellow, but varies.
Symbolism
Royalty, wisdom.
Strength, friendship.
Price
Generally more expensive.
More affordable.
Compare with Definitions
Sapphire
A blue variety of corundum used in jewelry.
Her sapphire necklace glistened under the gala's lights.
Topaz
A gemstone known for its various color forms.
She admired the range of colors in the topaz display.
Sapphire
A gemstone symbolizing nobility and fidelity.
He presented her with a sapphire ring as a sign of commitment.
Topaz
Symbolizes love and affection.
He gifted her a topaz necklace to signify his enduring affection.
Sapphire
Any corundum that is not red (ruby).
Sapphires can actually come in many colors besides blue.
Topaz
Represents the November birthstone.
As a November baby, she treasured her topaz pendant.
Sapphire
Sapphire is a precious gemstone, a variety of the mineral corundum, consisting of aluminium oxide (α-Al2O3) with trace amounts of elements such as iron, titanium, chromium, vanadium, or magnesium. It is typically blue, but natural "fancy" sapphires also occur in yellow, purple, orange, and green colors; "parti sapphires" show two or more colors.
Topaz
Topaz ( TOH-paz) is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO4(F, OH)2. It is used as a gemstone in jewelry and other adornments.
Sapphire
A transparent precious stone, typically blue, which is a variety of corundum (aluminium oxide)
A sapphire ring
Topaz
A precious stone, typically colourless, yellow, or pale blue, consisting of an aluminium silicate that contains fluorine.
Sapphire
A small hummingbird with shining blue or violet colours in its plumage and a short tail.
Topaz
A large tropical American hummingbird with a yellowish throat and a long tail.
Sapphire
A clear hard variety of corundum used as a gemstone that is usually blue but may be any color except red.
Topaz
A colorless, blue, yellow, brown, or pink aluminum silicate mineral, often found in association with granitic rocks and valued as a gemstone.
Sapphire
A corundum gem.
Topaz
Any of various yellow gemstones, especially a yellow variety of sapphire or corundum.
Sapphire
The blue color of a gem sapphire.
Topaz
A light yellow variety of quartz.
Sapphire
Made of or resembling a gem sapphire.
Topaz
A silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine, usually tinted by impurities.
Sapphire
Having the color of a blue sapphire.
Topaz
An often clear, yellowish-brown gemstone cut from this.
Sapphire
Of or relating to a 65th anniversary.
Topaz
A yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.
Sapphire
(countable) A clear deep blue variety of corundum, valued as a precious stone.
Topaz
A black Catholic soldier in the British Army.
Sapphire
A white, yellow, or purple variety of corundum, either clear or translucent.
Topaz
Either of two species of very large hummingbirds in the genus Topaza.
Sapphire
A deep blue colour.
Topaz
A ruby-topaz hummingbird, Chrysolampis mosquitus, the male of which has bright ruby feathers on the head and topaz on the throat
Sapphire
(countable) Any hummingbird in the genera Hylocharis and Chlorestes, as well as the rufous-throated sapphire, which is now in the genus Amazilia.
Topaz
Of a yellowish-brown color, like that of the gemstone.
Sapphire
Any of the butterflies in the southern Asian lycaenid genus Heliophorus or the African lycaenid genus Iolaus.
Topaz
A mineral occurring in rhombic prisms, generally yellowish and pellucid, also colorless, and of greenesh, bluish, or brownish shades. It sometimes occurs massive and opaque. It is a fluosilicate of alumina, and is used as a gem.
Sapphire
Of a deep blue colour.
Topaz
Either one of two species of large, brilliantly colored humming birds of the genus Topaza (Topaza pella or Topaza pyra), of South America and the West Indies.
Sapphire
Pertaining to a 45th year
Topaz
A yellow quartz
Sapphire
Native alumina or aluminium sesquioxide, Al2O3; corundum; esp., the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem.
Of rubies, sapphires, and of pearlés white.
Topaz
A mineral (fluosilicate of aluminum) that occurs in crystals of various colors and is used as a gemstone
Sapphire
The color of the gem; bright blue.
Topaz
A light brown
Sapphire
Any humming bird of the genus Hylocharis, native of South America. The throat and breast are usually bright blue.
Topaz
A silicate mineral that is commonly yellow.
The topaz stones sparkled in the sunlight with a warm glow.
Sapphire
Of or resembling sapphire; sapphirine; blue.
Topaz
Often treated to enhance or change its color.
The jeweler explained that the blue topaz was heat-treated.
Sapphire
A precious transparent stone of rich blue corundum valued as a gemstone
Sapphire
A transparent piece of sapphire that has been cut and polished and is valued as a precious gem
Sapphire
A light shade of blue
Sapphire
Having the color of a blue sapphire;
Sapphire eyes
Sapphire
A hard and durable gemstone for everyday wear.
My grandmother's sapphire earrings have lasted generations.
Sapphire
September's birthstone, often given as a gift.
For her September birthday, I bought her a sapphire bracelet.
Common Curiosities
Are sapphires always natural?
Sapphires can be natural or synthetic; natural ones are more valuable.
Are all topaz stones yellow?
No, topaz can be various colors including blue, pink, and colorless.
Can sapphires be red?
No, red corundum is classified as a ruby, not a sapphire.
What are the uses of topaz?
Topaz is primarily used in jewelry and as a collector's gemstone.
Can topaz fade in sunlight?
Yes, prolonged exposure to light can fade certain colors of topaz.
How can I clean my topaz jewelry?
Clean topaz with mild soap and water, avoiding harsh chemicals.
What determines the value of a sapphire?
Color, clarity, carat weight, and cut determine a sapphire's value.
Is sapphire or topaz more expensive?
Generally, sapphires are more expensive than topaz.
Are sapphires only used in fine jewelry?
While common in fine jewelry, sapphires are also used in commercial pieces.
Is topaz as hard as sapphire?
No, topaz has a Mohs hardness of 8, while sapphire has a hardness of 9.
Is it easy to tell sapphire and topaz apart?
To the untrained eye it may be difficult, but gemologists can distinguish them by their physical and optical properties.
Is topaz considered a precious gem?
While valued, topaz is not categorized as a precious gem like sapphire, ruby, emerald, or diamond.
Are synthetic sapphires valuable?
Synthetic sapphires are less valuable than natural ones but have similar properties.
Does the color of topaz affect its value?
Yes, the rarity of the color can significantly affect the gemstone's value.
Can sapphires be treated?
Yes, sapphires are often heat-treated to improve color and clarity.
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Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
