My new imperial topaz ring....

[psano]

Merry Christmas to me! and to you too...

I had just dropped off this imperial topaz to have it set when I discovered this forum, so I wasn''t able to show you the stone unset. But I just picked it up and it looked so great that I wanted to share it with all of you. Please let me know what you think. The stone has great brilliance and some unusually nice faceting around the outer edge of the oval (bottom of the stone) which I wasn''t able to capture in the photo very well. The jeweler who made the setting for me really liked it. I hope you do too. I love it! It weighs 4.8cts and is set w/1ct of diamonds.

I''m learning that taking photos of jewelery isn''t very easy.

 

[valeria101]

Wow! and welcome

Precious topaz has such subtle shades... and yours is a very impressive ring. Congratualtions for the amazing gift!

 

[Kaleigh]

I LOVE it!!! Really pretty color and the setting is beautiful. Welcome to PS

 

[Catmom]

psano, welcome to PS! Your ring is beautiful and I love the color of the stone. How about some hand shots?

 

[Hest88]

Oh WOW! Can we get some pictures of it on your hand?

 

[psano]

How about one on my hand?

I''m glad you like it. By the way, I read on this forum that topaz can fade in light? I never knew that. Should I assume then, that I shouldn''t wear this during daylight hours too much, and reserve it primarily for evenings?

Thanks,

Patti

 

[Kaleigh]

Lovely hand shot Patti!! I never knew topaz can fade in sunlight???

 

[psano]

Kaleigh, I''m sure I read that somewhere on another imperial topaz post. I hope it''s not true, but that''s what I seem to recall. If true, it''s a good thing to be aware of, though. Maybe one of the gemologists on board can help us out here?

 

[belle]

hi patti

your ring is beautiful and it looks great on you!
thanks for sharing it with us

 

[valeria101]

Date: 12/23/2005 4:26:36 PM
Author: psano



I'm glad you like it. By the way, I read on this forum that topaz can fade in light? I never knew that. Should I assume then, that I shouldn't wear this during daylight hours too much, and reserve it primarily for evenings?

What's not to like!

About topaz fading... it is true, but not for all topaz. Some loose their color very quickly (probably no one but the miner sees any!) some not at all. In theory, the stones labeled 'imperial topaz' should be immune - the stability to light is assumed for the precious types. 'Trust and verify' - as they say.

Some precious topaz is heated and the resulted stones are known to resist exposure to light well. I can't possibly tell if yours is or not - the point of the heating is to turn topaz stones pink from orange-pink hues since non-yellowish pink and purplish is more valuable and very rare untreated. Your stone does not have that color, so... no idea.

The resistance to fading can be tested. You can probably have an appraiser do that. I know fade tests are mostly done before cutting - for obvious reasons, but not only.

My 2c.


This is not meant as a scare - if topaz was presented and sold to you as precious 'imperial' topaz, this implies fade-resistance. I do not know the seller - but since you trusted him, it must have been for good reasons. I don't think I would have a topaz sold by my jeweler tested either. The issue is well known and commonly disclosed (I hope).

Btw.

There is quite a bit of topaz with wonderful natural colors that is never cut because the colors are unstable

Such a story about topaz found in the Thomas Range / Utah is quickly told down this link. The picture is of one such crystal.

 

[MINE!!]

WOW.. I am impressed. I have never been fond of Imperial topaz and have never really liked the color... But I must say that your stunning ring has changed my mind on that one. It is gorgeous!! Thanks for sharing it!! Welcome and Merry Christmas too you too!!

 

[MellowCat]

Oh that is just beautiful! Wear it proud!

 

[movie zombie]

great color! and looks great on your hand.

peace, movie zombie

 

[Art Nouveau]

Congratulations on your lovely imperial topaz ring. The color of the stone is very pretty and it looks very bright. Did you buy the stone in the US? It''s not easy to find a good quality imperial topaz here. I don''t think you have to worry too much about the stone fading with just wearing, unless you are in the sun alll day.

AN

 

[psano]

As crazy as it sounds, I bought the stone online one or two years ago. I believe she said they''d gotten the stones from Brazil and was advertised as 100% untreated. I know they don''t have anything comparable right now, because I went back to their site recently, and while they had some topaz, it wasn''t nearly as nice as this.

So far the only professional who''s seen it is the jeweler that made the setting for me. He wanted to know where I got it also, and said it was nice stone. I think he was especially interested in the cut, which is a little different than the typical oval. I''m planning to have it appraised in January.

I have seen some other very nice topaz online recently however. One of the sites is www.ajsgems.com and www.palagems.com.