Imperial topaz is the trade name for natural topaz in warm colours, from golden orange and sherry red through to pink and peach. Most blue topaz on the market is colourless topaz that has been treated, but fine imperial topaz is scarce, and most of it comes from the hills around Ouro Preto in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is also a November birthstone. Below we explain what sets it apart, what drives its price, and show a few of the imperial topaz pieces we have designed for clients.
What Is Imperial Topaz?
Isn’t All Topaz Blue?
No. Pure topaz is colourless, and the bright blue stones sold widely today almost always start out colourless before they are treated. Imperial topaz is found in warm colours, which is why it costs far more, although some pink stones are produced by heating orange ones. There is also no official colour definition for the name, so two dealers can use it a little differently.
The ring above is one of ours. A pear cut imperial topaz in a golden orange shade is held by yellow gold claws, which warm the stone, and the white gold band carries a row of pavé diamonds that tapers outwards like a tiara.
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Imperial Topaz as a November Birthstone
Topaz shares November with citrine. The ring above was made for a couple to celebrate the arrival of their child, born in November, so the stone carries a date that matters to them every time it is worn.
Where the Name Imperial Comes From
The name goes back to 19th century Russia. At the time the Ural Mountains were the main source of topaz, and the pink stones mined there were named in honour of the tsar, with ownership restricted to the royal family, according to GIA’s history of topaz. Later the name was applied to the warm orange and pink topaz of Ouro Preto in Brazil, and today it describes a colour family rather than a single mine.
Golden, Sherry and Peach: The Colours of Imperial Topaz
Imperial topaz runs from golden orange through sherry red to pink and peach, and the sherry and saturated pink stones are the most sought after. A golden stone can look a little like yellow sapphire, and a peach pink one can be mistaken for padparadscha sapphire, which is one reason we always tell clients exactly what a stone is and show the laboratory report where there is one.
In the halo ring above, an oval imperial topaz is ringed with round brilliant diamonds and set in rose gold. The diamonds make the stone look larger and brighter, and the rose gold picks up the warmth in its colour.
What Affects the Price of Imperial Topaz
Colour comes first. Sherry red and strong pink command the highest prices, golden orange sits below them, and pale or brownish stones much lower. Size matters more than it does for most gems. The price per carat of blue topaz rises very little as stones get bigger, but imperial topaz rises sharply, because clean stones of good colour above a few carats are hard to find.
Clarity and cut follow. A clean stone cut to show its colour evenly is worth more than a larger one with dark or washed out areas. The 4.71ct pear in our imperial topaz necklace is a good example of a size that rarely comes up in this colour.
Imperial Topaz in a Family Birthstone Ring
This rose gold cluster ring brings together imperial topaz, ruby, spinel and amethyst, one stone for each member of the family. It is the kind of piece that is worn every day and then passed on.
We have set imperial topaz in rings, pendants and necklaces. If you are considering one, come and compare stones in daylight at our International Plaza boutique, and we will source a stone to suit your design. Book an appointment.
