PHYSICAL AND OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF IMPERIAL TOPAZ
Topaz is a mineral of the family of silicates of formula Al2 [F2 SiO4]. The Imperial Topaz is a usually golden variety, whose formula is Al2 SiO4 (F, OH) 2. Like the diamond, it is both hard and brittle. Its hardness index on the Mohs scale is 8, its density ranges from 3.49 to 3.57. An orthorhombic crystalline system, it has a vitreous luster, a conchoidal, uneven fracture, and is transparent to translucent. Its fluorescence is yellow under short ultraviolet rays and beige under long UV. Its glittery gold appearance is undoubtedly caused by its high refractive index and its particular chemical composition, where part of the aluminum is replaced by iron, cobalt, or chromium. Pleochroism varies according to the colors of imperial topaz: it is clear for the yellows,
COLORS OF THE IMPERIAL TOPAZ
The color palette presented by the Imperial Topaz ranges from gold and violet to pink, peach, cognac and bright red. The rarest colors are ‘sherry’, cherry, (only 0.5%) and purple, while the more common ones revolve around the golden yellow.
MAJOR DEPOSITS OF IMPERIAL TOPAZ
Mineral of magmatic origin, the imperial topaz can be generated by pneumolysis, that is to say that when the magma finishes to crystallize, gases, containing metals, water and other elements, deposit them in fractures. This stone is sometimes found in alluvium.
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The topaz jewelry are rare, the old deposits of Pakistan are now almost exhausted, just like those in Russia. There are some veins in the United States and even in France, Auvergne (Echassières) or Burgundy (Gilly-sur-Loire). However, the main deposits exploited commercially today are those of Brazil. From the mine near Belo Horizonte, in the Ouro Peto region, imperial topazes are extracted from a layer of kaolin where quartz and hematite are also found. The amount of raw stone extracted amounts to about forty kilos per month, of which only 600g will be selected and cut for jewelry.
THE ADVICE OF OUR GEMOLOGIST: HOW TO CHOOSE HIS IMPERIAL TOPAZ?
The choice of the buyer is primarily based on color preferences, followed closely of course by budget considerations … The rose and cherry are the most expensive. As for the size, the colorless ones are often cut in pears, while the colored ones are cut in ovals, in scissors (stairs with triangular facets), in emerald. The stones with many inclusions are found in cabochons, sometimes faceted.
METALS ASSOCIATED WITH IMPERIAL TOPAZ IN JEWELERY
The different shades of imperial topaz open the field to all possible stone-metal combinations. This gem blends with silver, black gold, yellow, pink or white, as well as platinum.
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STORIES AND LEGENDS AROUND THE IMPERIAL TOPAZ
The topaz name comes from the Greek name of the island of Zabargad, in the Red Sea: Topazos. There were indeed minerals, which were not necessarily topazes … But this name was long wrongly attributed to various minerals, before being clearly attributed to the appropriate mineral, in the seventeenth century, by Anselmus Boëtius de Boodt. The term could also come from the Sanskrit “tupas”, fire.
In ancient Egypt, the imperial topaz was a symbol of the sun, the god Ra, and power. The Greeks and Romans lent him the ability to increase their courage when they went to battle. It was also supposed to cure depression, sterility and fight poisons.
In the middle Ages, it was believed even capable, probably because of its metallic shimmer, to attract gold and facilitate its search.
The Russian tsars, when they took control of all the Russian production of this flamboyant variety of topaz, attached to it the imperial adjective. Kings of Europe, like Premysl Ottokar of Bohemia, king in the 13th century, also took the habit of wearing them: there were deposits in Germany.
VIRTUES AND BENEFITS OF IMPERIAL TOPAZ
Many physical or psychic benefits are attributed to the Imperial Topaz. No doubt because of its flamboyant colors, it is often linked to the idea of enthusiasm, courage, passion, will, in sum of powerful and positive constructive forces.
Thus, it would bring dynamism and creativity, it would increase fertility, combat depression and mental disorders help develop his spiritual quest and good self-knowledge. It would help to carry out the projects and tone the whole body. Some say it may change color near a poisoned food, and may detoxify the liver and gall bladder. It will not be surprising to learn that it is related to the solar plexus, and to the chakras of the heart (especially the rose), forehead and throat.
ASTROLOGICAL MATCHES OF THE IMPERIAL TOPAZ
The imperial topaz is associated with the sign Gemini, which promotes imagination and creativity. It is also connected to Capricorn and Sagittarius. Imperial Topaz is the birthstone of December children, and is associated with the 23rd wedding anniversary.