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Summer 1993, Volume 29, Issue 2

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Reactor-Irradiated Green Topaz
Charles E. Ashbaugh III and James E. Shigley


Examination of samples of faceted "Ocean green" topaz reveals that this material has been irradiated in a nuclear reactor. An earlier reactor-irradiation experiment suggests that temperature conditions during the irradiation of this material may be higher than those used to produce typical "London-blue" topaz. Like such reactor-irradiated blue topaz, this material may be radioactive. In addition, the green color is not stable to direct sunlight.

Appears on pages 116-121

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