Adam's Fine Jewellery & Watches Tuesday May 14th 2019

84 T uesday 14 th M ay 2019 140 AN IMPERIAL TOPAZ AND DIAMOND CLUSTER RING The pear-shaped topaz weighing approximately 11.00cts within a surround of round brilliant-cut diamonds, claw setting throughout, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approximately 2.30cts total, ring size N¾ € 4,000 - 5,000 141 A PAIR OF DIAMOND AND ROCK CRYSTAL EARRINGS The cushion-shaped rock crystals decorated with strands of round brilliant-cut diamonds, mounted in 18K gold, diamonds approximately 2.00cts total, Italian assay marks, length € 1,000 - 1,500 Imperial topaz , also know as precious topaz, is the rarest colour of topaz with a golden orange to pink hue.The name imperial topaz originated in nineteenth-century Russia.At the time, the Ural Mountains were topaz’s leading source, and the gemstone mined there was named to honour the Russian tsar who prized its luxurious golden-sherry hues. Ownership of the gem was restricted to the royal family. Today fine specimens come from the Ouro Preto mines of Minas Gerais in Brazil. Imperial topaz is classified as a very rare collector’s gem and true Imperial topaz is always untreated. There is some disagreement over what colour the term imperial topaz represents, and some consider it the most misused term in the trade. Sometimes it used to describe gems of medium reddish orange to orange-red colour and many dealers insist that a stone must show a reddish pleochroic colour to be called Imperial topaz.The reddish pleochroic colour often appears at the ends of fashioned gems, such as pears and ovals, that have an otherwise yellow-to-orange bodycolor. The pear-shaped imperial topaz and diamond cluster ring is a statement piece. The warm golden hued lively centre stone, that displays a reddish pleochroic colour at the point and end, confirms its status as Imperial topaz.