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It’s back. The famous Mc-Gehee Topaz, found in Mason County, Texas, by Albert Mc-Gehee in 1904 has made its way back from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Mason Square Museum board member Wibby Shearer, now deceased, was nephew to McGehee. Shearer contacted the Smithsonian in 2006 to request the loan of the topaz. The request was granted, and the gem made its way back to Mason in time for the grand opening of the Mason Square Museum April 7, 2007.
On December 16, 2019, the treasure was boxed up (in the original box from which it had come from the iconic institution in 2007) and sent on its way to Washington D.C. for inventory and examination. Actually, they wanted to be sure it was still in our possession and in one piece.
The Smithsonian was closed for nearly two years because of the Covid pandemic. Time went by, and many, many calls were made directly to the ‘man in charge’ at the Smithsonian, who was always forthright and saying that the topaz would be sent back for loan. So here it is, almost THREE YEARS later, and finally the promised treasure is back home to Mason.
The McGehee topaz weighs 6480 carats and is classified as the largest blue topaz found in North America. It has often been the subject of articles in many newspapers and publications across Texas and draws visitors to Mason and to the Mason Square Museum from all over the U.S. Geology students from Texas Tech and TexasA&M visit Mason County to study the rocks and rock formations and, of course to see the famous topaz.
With thanks to the Smithsonian Museum, the Mason Square Museum board is proud and honored to be able to exhibit the gem. The topaz is again located in the middle of the exhibit room, in the same display case, surrounded in dark-blue velvet and under lock and key and a security alarm system.