SIGN IN YOUR ACCOUNT TO HAVE ACCESS TO DIFFERENT FEATURES

FORGOT YOUR PASSWORD?

FORGOT YOUR DETAILS?

AAH, WAIT, I REMEMBER NOW!
Need Help? Call 800-421-0200
  • MY ACCOUNT
  • COMPANY
  • BLOG
  • LOGIN

Jewelry Factory - North Hollywood, CA

Build your Custom Jewelry
  • No products in cart.
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Police & Fire Dept. Jewelry
  • Engagement & Wedding
  • Motorsports Jewelry
  • Jewelry Cleaning
  • Categories
  • Cart
  • Home
  • Uncategorized
  • 875-Carat Imperial Topaz Crystal Is a Golden-Orange Example of November’s Birthstone
 
Howard
Thursday, 19 November 2020 / Published in Uncategorized

875-Carat Imperial Topaz Crystal Is a Golden-Orange Example of November’s Birthstone

The golden-orange Imperial Topaz is the most highly prized variety of November's birthstone.

Originally mined exclusively in Russia’s Ural Mountains during the 19th century, the intense orange crystals were so valuable that they earned the designation Imperial Topaz to honor the Russian czar. What's more, only royals were allowed to own it.

Flash forward to today, when the finest Imperial Topaz is sourced in Brazil. One of that country's most heralded crystals — an 875-carat head-turner from Minas Gerais — is now a permanent resident of the Smithsonian's National Gem Collection

According to the Smithsonian, topaz — especially the yellow-to-orange varieties — has been misunderstood and misidentified for 2,000 years. Before 1950, most “gem experts” shared the misconception that all yellow gems were topaz and that all topaz was yellow. Citrine (November's alternate birthstone) and even smoky quartz were often mistaken for topaz.

While the prized Imperial Topaz comes in a range or colors from brownish-yellow to orange-yellow and even vibrant red, other varieties of topaz are available in blue, green, pink and purple.

Interestingly, topaz gets its name from Topazios, the ancient Greek name for a tiny island in the Red Sea. The island is now known as Zabargad Island, or St. John’s Island, and is controlled by Egypt. It is very likely that the “topaz” mined there in ancient times was actually a yellow-green variety of peridot.

Brazil is the largest producer of quality topaz, but the stone is also mined in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Russia, Australia, Nigeria, Germany, Mexico and the U.S (specifically California, Utah and New Hampshire). Topaz rates an 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a durable and wearable gem.

Credit: Photo by Chip Clark/Smithsonian.

What you can read next

Reimagined Gem Halls at American Museum of Natural History Set to Reopen This Spring
Minnesota Man Charged With Theft of ‘Ruby Slippers’ From Judy Garland Museum
Archeologists Unearth Cache of 1,300-Year-Old Gold Foil Figures in Sweden

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • Did the Subs Scanning Titanic Wreckage Spot a Megalodon-Tooth Necklace?

    0 comments
  • Actress Bella Thorne Shows Off Her 10-Carat Emerald-Cut Engagement Ring

    0 comments
  • Music Friday: Bruce Springsteen’s Got Diamonds and Gold, But He ‘Ain’t Got You’

    0 comments
  • Might This Theoretical $1 Trillion Platinum Coin Stave Off the Debt-Ceiling Crisis?

    0 comments
  • 35,250 Exciting Finds and Counting at Arkansas’s Crater of Diamonds State Park

    0 comments

NEWSLETTER

Stau updated with our latest offers.

CUSTOMER

  • Shipping
  • 30 Day Return Policy
  • Blog

COMPANY

  • About Us
  • Police & Fire Dept.
  • Engagement & Wedding

FEEDBACK

We would like to hear from you with any feedback about our website or products.

SUBMIT YOUR FEEDBACK

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
© 2019 Jewelry Factory | All rights reserved.
  • About Us
  • Police & Fire Dept.
  • Engagement & Wedding
TOP