Topaz — Specimen Mountain

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Topaz — Specimen Mountain

Lost Treasure CO • Larimer County County
Description
Legendary topaz collecting locality at Specimen Mountain in Larimer County (Public Access).
Historical Notes
Rockhounding.org documents this locality among 38 mapped United States topaz collecting sites (Public Access). Topaz (Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂) is Mohs hardness 8 with perfect basal cleavage and specific gravity 3.4–3.6 — noticeably heavier than quartz. Rocky Mountain National Park area volcanic terrain — topaz reported in high-country rhyolite and related igneous rocks. Collectors distinguish topaz from quartz by heft, orthorhombic (four-sided) crystal habit, and perfect basal cleavage. Natural blue topaz in nature is rare; most jewelry-blue stones are treated colorless rough. Field ethics: verify land status, owner permission, and current regulations before collecting. Topaz cleaves easily — wrap specimens individually and avoid hammer blows on crystals. Coordinates from Rockhounding.org locality page. Access type: Public Access.
Status / Verification legend — Verified

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