Imperial Topaz Gemstone Information![]() About Imperial Topaz - History and IntroductionImperial topaz is also known as "precious topaz". It is the most sought after natural topaz. Considered to be the color of the setting sun, imperial topaz gets its name from the Russian tsars of the 17th century. This is because the tsars claimed exclusive rights to the pink topaz gemstones that were mined in Russia. Imperial topaz is less common than other types of naturally occurring topaz, which makes it more valuable. Imperial topaz was traditionally considered to be orange with red dichroism, (this means that when tilted in the light, imperial topaz can appear red or orange), but nowadays it is more widely defined as yellow, pink, red, lavender-pink and peach-pink topaz.
Identifying Imperial TopazBack to Top Imperial topaz is yellow, pink or pink-orange. The natural pink variety is very rare. Brazilian imperial topaz can range in color from bright yellow to deep golden brown and is sometimes even violet. Imperial topaz can be distinguished from other pink gems such as kunzite, tourmaline, sapphire and ruby by its hardness (8 on the Mohs scale). Ruby and sapphire are harder, at 9, and kunzite and tourmaline are softer. Yellow imperial topaz can also be identified by its hardness; citrine and brazilianite are softer. Apatite, fluorite and zircon are gems that can appear in pink and yellow, but they are softer than topaz. Yellow and pink phenakite can be distinguished from topaz by its trigonal crystal structure. Spinel can be told apart from topaz by its cubic crystal structure. Yellow chrysoberyl is harder than imperial topaz and has a higher refractive index. Precious beryl has indistinct cleavage, thus distinguishing it from imperial topaz, which displays perfect cleavage. Imperial Topaz; Origin and Gemstone SourcesBack to Top Commercially mined imperial topaz comes from Ouro Preto in Brazil. There are also deposits in the Urals of Russia.
Buying Imperial Topaz and Determining Imperial Topaz Gemstone Value
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Imperial Topaz Gemological Properties:Back to Top
Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details of gemology-related terms. Imperial Topaz: Related or Similar GemstonesBack to Top ![]() Imperial topaz can appear similar to a variety of other gemstones depending on the color. In fact, the ancient Greeks are thought to have mistaken chrysolite for topaz. Orange-brown and imperial topaz is similar to citrine, zircon, chrysoberyl, golden beryl and sapphire. Pink imperial topaz appears to be like morganite, tourmaline, kunzite, rose quartz and spinel. Yellow imperial topaz can be compared with chrysoberyl, heliodor, zircon and yellow sapphire. Topaz is chemically related to sillimanite, andalusite, kanonaite, kyanite and mullite. Imperial Topaz Gemstone Mythology, Metaphysical and Alternative HealingBack to Top The ancient Greeks believed that topaz was a powerful stone that could increase the strength of the wearer and even provide invisibility. Both the ancient Egyptians and the Romans associated yellow topaz with the Sun God. Imperial topaz is the birthstone for those born in November and for those born under the zodiacal sign of Sagittarius. It is also the gemstone that commemorates the 23rd wedding anniversary. In traditional Indian belief systems, topaz is said to unlock the throat chakra, which facilitates communication and self-expression. Therefore, topaz is thought to be beneficial to artists, writers, public speakers and others who are concerned with self-expression. Some believe that topaz can promote virility in men.
Imperial Topaz Gemstone and Jewelry Design IdeasBack to Top Imperial topaz can be made into an almost limitless variety of jewelry due to its versatility. It is ideal for rings, necklaces, bracelets and pendants because it can be cut into almost any shape. As with diamond, imperial topaz should be protected from hard knocks by protected settings in rings for daily wear. This is because a single blow could cause fracturing due to perfect cleavage. Imperial topaz's hardness (8 on the Mohs scale), gives it durability and resistance to scratches. Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary in size-to-weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller than diamonds by weight in comparison. Famous Imperial Topaz GemstonesBack to Top The famous "Blaze Imperial Topaz" is a 97.45 carat gem displayed by the Field Museum of Natural History, USA. Imperial Topaz Gemstone Jewelry Care and CleaningBack to Top
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- 首次发布于: February-07-2014
- 最后更新于:: November-06-2019
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