It leaves a scratch instead of a streak because Topaz has a higher number on the Moh's scale compared to the streak plate.
When dragged across a streak plate, gold will leave a yellow streak, pyrite will leave a greenish-black streak. It is one way of differentiating gold from pyrite.
Minerals with a hardness greater than around 7 on the Mohs hardness scale will not leave a streak on a standard unglazed porcelain streak plate. They will instead scratch and powder the streak plate.
Streak color is determined by scraping the mineral across a a streak plate, (which is made of unglazed porcelain), and then observing the color of the streak, which is left on the plate. Note that some minerals do not leave a streak, as they are too hard. Thus, it is important to learn other identification methods, to use in conjunction with streak color, in order to identify minerals.
Flint
Flint is one of many forms of quartz, and its streak will be determined by impurities (non quartz) present. Quartz itself will have a white streak. Flint is a composite formed from quartz, and is not a specific mineral.
Two minerals that do not leave a streak on a streak plate are quartz and fluorite. Both minerals have a hardness higher than that of the streak plate, so they will not leave a streak when rubbed against it.
Graphite is a mineral that does not leave a clear streak.
It doesn't leave a streak.
Very hard minerals like diamonds can leave no streak because their hardness prevents them from being scratched by the streak plate. Since the streak test involves rubbing the mineral against a surface to leave a streak, extremely hard minerals won't leave a streak behind because they are tougher than the testing material.
Perlite does not have a streak color because it is a volcanic glass that does not leave a streak on a streak plate.
Diamond will not leave a streak on a porcelain streak plate because diamond is harder than the streak plate. It will leave a scratch on the streak plate for the same reason.
The streak of Jade is white.
Garnet typically leaves a colorless streak on a streak plate due to its hardness.
Yes, rubies do have a streak. Rubies typically leave a red streak when scratched on a white porcelain streak plate. The streak color is an important identification characteristic for gemstones.
Shale is a type of rock, not a mineral. Streak is used to help classify minerals. It can leave a streak, but it doesn't mean anything.
Garnet leaves no color in a streak test .