The best way to collect them is to sift through gravel around 2 inches or less in size.įirst, collect any stones that appear crystalline or somewhat transparent. Their hardness and high weight cause them to often separate from host deposits during rain or floods. These stones commonly end up in riverbeds and along creeks.

The most common places to find yellow topaz in the U.S. Topaz has a relatively low tenacity, which is how well a mineral resists breaking.Īs a result, the gem cleaves and chips pretty easily. However, this level of hardness can be deceiving. Meaning it’s one of the most scratch-resistant semi-precious stones in the world. Yellow topaz is a pretty common mineral compared to other gems.Īmateur outdoorsmen and rockhounds may find them in riverbeds around the world.Īlthough, some cleaning and polishing might be necessary to appreciate its beauty fully. Interestingly, the yellow color of these minerals isn’t only due to trace chemicals-they often derive their dazzling shades from structural impurities. Yellow topaz is a semi-precious gemstone popular thanks to its brilliant golden hue and widespread availability. Yellow Topaz vs Yellow Sapphire (Explained) What Is Yellow Topaz? To help you, we’ll cover what both minerals are and what makes them unique below. However, these mesmerizing gemstones have some surprising differences that you should know. Yellow topaz and yellow sapphire often appear so similar that only experts can tell them apart.

Canary yellow sapphire