Topaz Mountain: Difference between revisions
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==Geology and Geography== |
==Geology and Geography== |
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Topaz Mountain is part of the [[Thomas Range]], located in [[Juab County, Utah]], approximately 36 miles Northwest of [[Delta, Utah]]. The mountain lies on publicly owned land managed by the [[Bureau of Land Management]] (BLM). Collection of rocks and mineral permitted at Topaz Mountain and, as a result, the area is frequented by amateur as well as professional [[rock hound]]s.<ref name=Grass>{{cite news|last=Grass|first=Ray|title=Juab has a lot of land to explore|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10FF80045CA19318&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0FB3382EE6AD1E46|accessdate=1 August 2012|newspaper=Deseret Morning News|date=23 February 2006}}</ref> |
Topaz Mountain is part of the [[Thomas Range]], located in [[Juab County, Utah]], approximately 36 miles Northwest of [[Delta, Utah]]. The mountain lies on publicly owned land managed by the [[Bureau of Land Management]] (BLM). Collection of rocks and mineral is permitted at Topaz Mountain and, as a result, the area is frequented by amateur as well as professional [[rock hound]]s.<ref name=Grass>{{cite news|last=Grass|first=Ray|title=Juab has a lot of land to explore|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:AWNB:DSNB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=10FF80045CA19318&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=0FB3382EE6AD1E46|accessdate=1 August 2012|newspaper=Deseret Morning News|date=23 February 2006}}</ref> |
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==Minerals== |
==Minerals== |
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Revision as of 18:29, 10 September 2014
| Topaz Mountain | |
|---|---|
 The ground around Topaz Mountain | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 6,729 ft (2,051 m)[1] |
| Geography | |
  Topaz Mountain | |
| Region | US-UT |
| Parent range | Thomas Range |
| Topo map | USGS Topaz Mountain East |
Topaz Mountain is a summit in the Thomas mountain range of Utah, east of the Thomas caldera. The summit and surrounding area is known for its relative abundance of semiprecious minerals including topaz, red beryl and opal.
Geology and Geography
Topaz Mountain is part of the Thomas Range, located in Juab County, Utah, approximately 36 miles Northwest of Delta, Utah. The mountain lies on publicly owned land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Collection of rocks and mineral is permitted at Topaz Mountain and, as a result, the area is frequented by amateur as well as professional rock hounds.[2]
Minerals
Topaz
Topaz is a semiprecious gemstone that occurs as very hard, transparent crystals in a variety of colors. Topaz crystals, such as those found at Topaz Mountain, are naturally amber colored, but become colorless after exposure to sunlight. Topaz forms within cavities of the volcanic rock, Rhyolite, from eruptions that occurred six to seven million years ago during the Tertiary Period. Topaz is embedded in the Rhyolite rock, and also found loose on the slopes and arroyos.
Red beryl
Red beryl, a rare and valuable mineral found at Topaz Mountain, occurs as small crystals, often attached to other mineral crystals. It is estimated that one red beryl crystal is found for every 150,000 diamonds.[3] Prices for top quality natural red beryl can be as high as $10,000 per carat for faceted stones.[4]
Other minerals
A variety of other minerals are found at Topaz Mountain including garnet, amethyst, opal, pseudobrookite, and hematite.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Topaz Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior. Retrieved 2012-08-01.
- ^ Grass, Ray (23 February 2006). "Juab has a lot of land to explore". Deseret Morning News. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ Ege, Carl. "What gemstone is found in Utah that is rarer than diamond and more valuable than gold?". Utah Geological Survey. Utah Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
- ^ "Bixbite" – The Gemstone List
- ^ "Topaz and other minerals found at Topaz Mountain, Juab County". Utah Geological Survey. Utah Geological Survey. Retrieved 1 August 2012.
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