When it came to writing about Topaz in my new book I decided to
simply ignore the terms "imperial" and "precious". I have heard
two definitions of "imperial". One that "imperial" is a word for
yellow in Portuguese and the other that imperial is topaz w/ strong
multi-color (dichroic) effect. That is, the darker end colors due
to the darker C axis in oval and pear shaped stones. Point is, if
you can't define it, it isn't useful. This terminology is archaic
and really not-helpful in explaining quality in topaz."
Hi Richard (and others curious about this nomenclature), Actually,
the term does have considerable merit, and there is most likely a
historical method to its labeling madness. Topaz occurs in a wide
range of hues and saturations, with or without secondary hues,
called “modifiers”. Yellow Topazes are correctly called just that,
as are the blues, browns, pinks, goldens and purples. The true
“Imperial” classification, however, only applies to those yellows
and goldens which have a readily identifiable peachy, to russet
cast, due to a reddish modifier (or secondary color). This secondary
color can be heat treated to overpower, or even completely replace,
the yellow or golden primary color; when this occurs, the resulting
color is most often either a pink or purple shade. (And yes, as is
the case with Tanzanite, there are those cases in which this heat
treatment occurs naturally, while the minerals are still in the
ground.) As such, the variously-hued golden-brown Topazes from
Guerrero, Mexico or parts of Nigeria would best (and most honestly)
be called “rootbeer”, brown, “sherry” or golden Topazes, while those
from both Ouro Preto, Brazil and only one or two other sites on the
planet remain the only true sources for Imperial Topaz. So, the next
time you look at a stone that’s been labeled “Imperial Topaz”, you
can have the following conversation with yourself: “What? It doesn’t
have a reddish hue? Simple: it’s not a true ‘Imperial’!” (Of course,
I’ll leave it up to you to decide whether to have this conversation
quietly, or audibly…) As for the origin of the word “Imperial”, I
honestly don’t believe it has anything to do with yellow, or pink or
any other shade; it simply means “of, belonging to or having to do
with the Emperor” (or, more recently, the king and/or queen). While
I don’t know any of the de facto details of Brazilian history
(especially as they relate to these finest-of-fine Topazes), I think
it’s reasonable to deduce that, when they were first discovered,
several hundred years ago, these Topazes’ beauty and rarity won them
immediate favor with the Portuguese crown, just as the Colombian
Emerald discoveries did with the Spanish crown, earning them the
title of Imperial Emerald. At the time of their discovery, Emeralds
(and the best of most other gem families) were the exclusive domain
of royalty, so the best of the best in any mineral family could
quite easily have come to be labeled as either the property of, or
destined to be worn only by those of imperial stature. I hope this
helps to demystify this term and it’s meaning (or lack thereof).
All my best, Douglas Turet, GJ Another Bright Idea! / Turet Design P.O.
Box 162 Arlington, MA 02476 Tel. (617) 325-5328 eFax (928) 222-0815
anotherbrightidea@hotmail.com
