Simultaneous dissolution and growth processes of quartz (SiO2) and topaz (Al-2(F,OH)(2)SiO4) crystals combined and separated in space were studied experimentally. A growth method for synthetic topaz crystals was successfully developed. The method involves crystallization from fluoride-bearing acidic aqueous fluids. Synthetic topaz crystals up to 20g in weight can be grown in a period of 20-30 days. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.