Cambridge NKJV Topaz
The Topaz returns, and it’s as good as you hoped it would be.
After debuting their new Topaz typesetting with a highly-celebrated ESV edition in the fall of 2019, Cambridge Bibles planned to follow it up with an NKJV Topaz a year later... and then 2020 happened.
Imagine how difficult it must be to work on a new Bible with a team of designers and manufacturers all over the globe when you cannot travel or even go to the office. Production of the NKJV Topaz was inevitably delayed due to the pandemic, but the folks at Cambridge continued to work hard to get it out as soon as possible. When I visited with Amanda and Abi in Cambridge last October, I could tell that they were anxious for the new edition to arrive.
I’m happy to say that release week for the NKJV Topaz is finally here, and my friends… this Bible was worth the wait.
Cambridge NKJV Topaz – Overview
I was so excited when the NKJV Topaz arrived at my house a few weeks ago that I recorded my first ever unboxing video, in which you can watch me go completely nuts over the gorgeous dark green goatskin. My first impression was to be stunned by the look and feel of this Bible. The green color is so unique, and the goatskin has a smooth and soft texture.
The NKJV Topaz is available in five editions: dark green goatskin, black goatskin, dark blue goatskin, brown calfsplit, and black calfsplit (links below for pricing and purchase). The goatskin editions have an edge-lined construction with Smyth-sewn text blocks, allowing for the Bible to lie extremely flat when open (flatter than the ESV Topaz I reviewed last year). This premium binding features raised spine hubs, perimeter stitching, art gilded page edges, and the words “Holy Bible” on the cover. Cambridge added a third ribbon to the goatskin editions of the NKJV Topaz, with the green and blue Bibles featuring ribbons in three shades to match their covers. From the outside, this is an aesthetically beautiful Bible, printed and bound excellently by Royal Jongbloed in the Netherlands.
The text block of the NKJV Topaz has a 6.25” x 9.25” trim size, and it is just under 1.5’’ thick thanks to its 28 GSM Indopaque paper from France. This ivory paper feels fantastic and is extremely opaque. The Topaz typesetting designed by 2K/Denmark features a 10pt type for the text of scripture in a verse-by-verse format across two columns, with cross-references in the outer margins of the page and textual notes at the bottom. The page is accented with red for the chapter numbers and verse numbers, as well as in the book titles and cross-reference headings. In the New Testament, the words of Christ are printed in red, and the corresponding verse numbers appear in black when the text is red. To my eye, the page layout of the NKJV Topaz is extremely pleasing and well balanced.
At the back of the Bible you’ll find a full concordance, several pages of blank paper (another change from the ESV Topaz), and the famous Cambridge Bible Maps.
FEATURES
• 10pt type size
• 6.25” x 9.25” trim size
• 1.45” thick
• 28 GSM Indopaque paper
• Edge-lined goatskin cover with leather liner
• Smyth-sewn binding
• Three ribbon markers
• Art gilding
• Raised spine hubs
• Double-column format
• Verse by Verse
• Line-matched text
• Red letter text for the words of Christ
• Cross-references in outer margins
• Concordance
• Cambridge Bible Maps
What Makes the Topaz Unique?
The Topaz has a few distinct features that make it a unique Bible, particularly for those looking for a premium Bible:
1. Verse by Verse
If you’re not familiar with that phrase, is simply means that each verse is indented on a new line. This is an extremely popular feature for pastors and teachers, but it’s also a really great option for individual Bible study.
2. Red Letter
Some people love red letter text for the words of Christ, and some don’t. I tend to gravitate towards Bibles with black text throughout, but it’s not a deal breaker for me, particularly with a Bible as impressive as the Topaz.
3. Outer margin cross-references
The cross-references in the Topaz appear in the outer margins of each pages, justified to the top of the page. Again, this comes down to personal preference. In one sense, this format compresses the Biblical text into a thinner space on the page, but that also create some blank margin space below the cross-references to take notes. As I mentioned above, I find the overall page design of the Topaz to be very pleasing to the eye, and I think the cross-references are very comfortable to use in this Bible.
A Note to NKJV Super Fans
I’ve seen a few comments and questions online from NKJV fans about the textual notes and cross-references. My understanding is that the translator notes that appear at the bottom of the page are the full set (see photo below from the first page of Genesis). As far as the cross-references go, Cambridge had a couple of options to choose from and ended up going with a set of cross-references that is smaller than what can be found in some NKJV study Bibles. As someone who does not use cross-references exhaustively, this set works great for me, and their location and design makes them quite easy to use.
A New Gem
The Topaz was designed with Cambridge’s legendary Turquoise typesetting in mind, and it certainly honors the spirit of the Turquoise while also offering a modern flair for contemporary readers. The best praise I can give this NKJV Topaz is that when I see it sitting on my desk, I want to pick it up… and when I open it, this Bible draws me in and compels me to read.
Bottom Line:
The NKJV Topaz is a beautiful and unique Bible. If you’re looking for a premium NKJV Bible, this one definitely needs to be on your list.
BUYING THIS BIBLE
There are five different editions fo the NKJV Topaz: 3 in Goatskin (Black, Blue, or Green), and 2 in Calfsplit Leather (black or brown). They can be purchased directly from Cambridge or at the links below.
ChristianBook.com
– Green Goatskin / Blue Goatskin / Black Goatskin ($289)
– Brown Calfsplit / Black Calfsplit ($193)
Amazon – starting at $225
* Amazon also has a great price on the ESV Topaz in black goatskin (only $181)
EvangelicalBible.com – $157 for Calfsplit or $240 for Goatskin
