SEDA JEWELERY

IMPERIAL TOPAZ PENDANT

This is a natural untreated Imperial topaz crystal set with a stunning Iolite stone to enhance it.

Total weight 14.90 cts app

Size of Imperial topaz 13 x 6 mm app

Size of Iolite 6 x 4 mm app

I bought this Imperial topaz on my last trip to brazil where i visited the Capao mine in Ouro Preto and was lucky to see a top parcel being dug out.

Imperial topaz: The most sought after of all natural topaz. Its rich golden color is generally not enhanced by any kind of treatment. The most important deposit was found in Minas Gerais, Brazil.Imperial topaz is yellow, pink (rare, if natural) or pink-orange. Brazilian Imperial Topaz can often have a beautiful bright yellow to deep golden brown hue, sometimes even violet. Many brown or pale topazes are treated to make them bright yellow, gold, pink or violet colored. This variety is the most sought-after and highly valued among the topaz gems. Ouro Prêto mines produce orange to pinkish-purple topaz. Often the stone has been confused with the more common citrine (which is made by heating amethyst) found profusely in other Brazilian localities. However, topaz is readily identified by its superior hardness, density, and brilliance, as well as by a pronounced basal cleavage. In the early days topaz was the only gem of importance found near Ouro Prêto. Honoring Brazilian royalty, the gemstone was frequently referred to as “imperial” topaz. Later some sources called it “precious” topaz. Both terms have endured, partly because gem merchants wish to impart to customers the difference between gem topaz and citrine quartz.

IOLITE

Iolite is usually a purplish blue when cut properly, with a softness to the color that can be quite attractive. It is more common to find iolite with beautiful blue in small sizes: larger sizes are often too dark, almost black. Iolite is readily available and surprisingly affordable in sizes up to 4 or 5 carats. The better and richer the blue, the higher the price. Colors that are gray, purple, or less saturated blue are less.

Iolite is mined in India, Sri Lanka, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Brazil. The Vikings probably mined iolite from deposits in Norway and Greenland. The most common shape is oval.

Iolite is relatively hard, with a Mohs Hardness of 7 to 7.5, but should be protected from blows. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.