[Jewelry making - Article 01240] - [Orchid] Topaz; confusing terminology

[Richard W. Wise]

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Hello All,

    There are lots of confusing terms used to describe these two
    gemstones.  Madeira citrine, smoky topaz, Brazilian topaz, imperial
    topaz and precious topaz to name just a few.  Once we have decided
    that its truly topaz and not quartz the issue of "precious" versus
    "imperial" then becomes the issue.  The best thing to do is to
    consign all these antiquated terms to the dustbin where they belong.
     Topaz is topaz it occurs in a continuum of hues from sunny yellow
    to brownish red passing through peach (yellowish orange-brown)
    orange-pink and pinkish red along the way.  The redder, the rarer
    and the more expensive (noting that pink is a light toned red), is a
    good rule of thumb. 

    What is imperial and what is precious?  Damned if I know.  Some
    folks use "imperial" to describe pinkish-orange-brown or light peach
    through ripe peach and finally "rotten peach".  Well perhaps the
    last should be avoided in discussions with civilians.  One Brazilian
    dealer told me that "imperial" translates as yellow in Brazilian
    Portuguese.  As I said above, these terms are archaic hailing from a
    time when green tourmaline was still called "Brazilian emerald". 

    Want more information?  May I humbly suggest reading chapter 25 in
    my new book.   www.secretsofthegemtrade.com 

Richard



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