Imperial topaz is a rare, naturally occurring orange topaz with pink to red overtones. The term “imperial” originated in 19th-century Russia, when the Ural Mountains were the leading source. Today the mines there are largely depleted. This unusual topaz was so admired that it was reserved for the Russian royal family—hence the “imperial” designation.
The GIA.edu website says “An alternate explanation, especially popular in Brazil, is that it dates from an 1881 visit by Brazilian Emperor Pedro II to Ouro Preto—the town closest to Brazil’s most productive topaz mines–and the gift of a reddish topaz to him.”
As with other trade terms, the color description of “imperial topaz” can vary from one person to another. Gemworld’s GemGuide states at the bottom of their imperial topaz price table—”Color GIA: yellowish orange, orange, reddish orange, red, slightly purplish red, pink.” GemGuide has a separate price table for pink topaz which indicates it is priced higher than imperial topaz, all other factors being equal.
In traditional birthstone lists (derived from Biblical, Hebrew, and European customs), topaz was long linked to November, often because of its golden color and symbolic ties to warmth during early winter. The “Curious Lore of Precious Stones” by Kunz has this poem for topaz in the birthstone chapter.
“Who first comes to the world below
With drear November’s fog and snow
Should prize the topaz’s amber hue—
Emblem of friends and lovers true.
Firm friendship is November’s, and she bears
True love beneath the topaz that she wears.”
Topaz was officially named the November birthstone in 1912 when the American National Association of Jewelers (now Jewelers of America) standardized the modern birthstone list.
Based in Los Angeles since 1988, Hubert Inc. has an in-house team of jewelers that craft high-end jewelry with stones they source or cut from rough. The company was founded by Hubert & Susan Gesser who sell a wide range of both colored gem and diamond jewelry; see www.hubertjewelry.com.
I used this photo by Diamond Graphics in the 3rd Edition of my “Gemstone Buying Guide: How to evaluate, identify, select & care for colored gems”. www.reneenewman.com/gemestone.htm
Guest articles by Renée Newman:
https://gem-spectrum.com/category/renee-newman
About the author:
Renée Newman is a gemologist (GG, GIA), lecturer, writer and author of 15 books on gems and jewelry. Her goal is to provide consumers and jewelry professionals with unbiased, affordable information on how to buy, evaluate and appreciate gems and jewelry. She can be reached through her website:
