What does imperial topaz look like?

Imperial Topaz (A variety of topaz of orange, pinkish colours.) Traditionally Imperial Topaz was orange in colour with red dichroism. Today the definition can vary widely and has expanded to include colors like pinks, reds, lavender pinks and peach pinks but usually excludes yellow or brown.

What color is an imperial topaz?

Reddish topazes have a trade name, imperial topaz, inspired by their association with the Russian Czars. These medium reddish orange to orange-red gems are incredibly rare and valuable. They make up less than half a percent of all gem-quality topazes found.

Is golden topaz the same as imperial topaz?

Imperial Topaz, also known as Golden Topaz, is an aluminum silicate fluoride hydroxide mineral that crystallizes in the form of small prismatic crystals. The color is usually a dark orange that may be semi-transparent, but can also be seen as light red-orange-yellow as well.

What is a imperial topaz?

Imperial Topaz is an aluminum, hydroxyl-flourine silicate. Strong chemical bonding makes it the hardest of the silicate minerals, with a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. The toughness of Topaz is fair, since it has perfect cleavage. Topaz has a refractive index of 1.610 to 1.630.

What is the best color for imperial topaz?

The most valuable colors of topaz are the golden orange-yellow type known as 'Imperial Topaz'. The deepness of the color with reddish hues adds value to the gem and is very desirable. Continuous exposure to daylight can fade the yellowish brown colored topaz.

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Is imperial topaz valuable?

In contrast, precious topaz (a.k.a. 'imperial' topaz) in rich orange colors fetches prices in excess of $1000/ct. for large (10 ct. +) sizes. The most valuable topaz is a rich pink or red color, and can reach $3500/ct.

Is Imperial topaz rare?

Imperial Topaz, also known as Precious Topaz is the rarest and most valuable of the Topaz family, coming in colors ranging from golden yellow to the extremely prized sherry pink color. These stones are typically never treated, nor heated, and come from the Ouro Preto mines of Minas, Gerais, Brazil.

What is the rarest color topaz?

What is the rarest color of topaz? Imperial Topaz, also known as Precious Topaz is the rarest and most valuable of the Topaz family, coming in colors ranging from golden yellow to the extremely prized sherry pink color.

Why is it called imperial topaz?

The name for imperial topaz originated in nineteenth-century Russia. At the time, the Ural Mountains were topaz's leading source, and the pink gemstone mined there was named to honor the Russian czar. Ownership of the gem was restricted to the royal family. Today, topaz is one of the US birthstones for November.

How can you tell if a topaz stone is real?

There are a few easy ways to tell a real topaz apart from quartz. The first characteristic to keep in mind is the hardness factor. An original topaz will scratch glass while quartz will not leave a mark on it. Moreover, a real topaz is also cool to touch and it gets electrified easily.

What birthstone is imperial topaz?

In 1768, the royal court of Portugal commemorated the discovery of imperial topaz (the now signature birthstone of November). Weighing 596 pounds, an enormous colorless topaz crystal was found in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Blue topaz is considered the traditional gift for 4th and 23rd wedding anniversaries.

What does natural topaz look like?

Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can make it pale blue or golden brown to yellow orange. Topaz is often treated with heat or radiation to make it a deep blue, reddish-orange, pale green, pink, or purple.

Which is more valuable topaz or citrine?

The pinkish/golden/reddish version of topaz—and the most expensive variety of the stone— is “precious topaz,” or “Imperial Topaz.” Topaz is more valuable than citrine; but citrine can be mistaken for topaz, so make sure you know what you're getting.

Is topaz considered a precious gem?

Topaz, denoted by the formula Al2(F1OH)2SiO4, is a rare silicate material. Ranging in color from pale yellow, to red, to blue, this semi precious gemstone is the birthstone associated with the month of November.

What does a topaz stone look like?

It can be found in yellow, brownish yellow, brown, green, blue, light blue, red, pink and colorless. If you ever see the lesser-used term 'Precious Topaz', it is most likely referring to stones of a golden yellow to peachy orange color.

Is topaz precious or semiprecious?

The term "semi-precious stones" does not mean that they are less beautiful than precious stones. The best known of these are amethyst, topaz, peridot, citrine, aquamarine or green tourmaline.

How can you tell topaz from quartz?

Quite simply, Quartz does not fluoresce. Topaz on the other hand, typically shows a weak fluorescence. The fluorescent color will depend on the color of the Topaz. As an example, white and blue Topaz may fluoresce yellow or greenish whereas brown, yellow and pink Topaz may show a strong orange-yellow glow.

Why is blue topaz so cheap?

Initially, it was very expensive because it was so unusual. But over the years as the process was perfected and production grew, it became surprisingly affordable. The colorless topaz used in the process is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and China. The gems are usually cut before they are treated.

Where are imperial topaz mined?

All Imperial Topaz is mined in Brazil and traditionally, only Brazilian gems are referred to as 'Imperial Topaz'.

How can you tell the difference between citrine and topaz?

It can be easy to confuse them because the Topaz's most common natural color—golden brown to yellow—is similar to that of the Citrine. But the Citrine stone is a Quartz gem—meaning it can be visually identified by a glassy luster and curved shards, as opposed to the smooth basal cleavage of Topaz.

What gemstone is called Imperial?

Without question Imperial Topaz is one of the world's most coveted gemstones. Due to pleochroism, their mesmerising natural colours effortlessly flow from a vibrant yellow to orange and just occasionally from orange to pink.

Is imperial topaz colored by chromium?

The very rare pink or red colors are caused by impurities of chromium. When both conditions are present -- color centers and chromium -- an orange color is the result. The color of true imperial topaz is always natural.

Which is more valuable topaz or aquamarine?

Aquamarines are far more expensive when compared to Topaz or other stones. Derived from Latin words meaning 'seawater', these gemstones have a brief history of being considered sacred in Roman and Greek empires.