Topaz (var: Imperial) (classic material)

Item Description

This is an attractive, fine quality, gemmy single crystal of classic orange Imperial Topaz specimens from the famous Ouro Preto locality in Brazil, the source of the finest examples of the material in the world. The crystal has the typical steep termination that you'll see in these specimens and the color is well saturated to boot. It is orange for sure, and by no means "brownish". All the faces are lustrous without any kind of coating. I can't find any major damage, but it's understandably contacted on the base where it was removed from the pocket. Weight is 8.95 grams. This piece was mined circa 1973-1974. From the collection of world famous mineral dealer Richard A. Kosnar (the namesake for the phosphate Kosnarite), who had a strong presence in Brazil in the 1970s and imported many gem crystals during that period. Valued at $1,500 retail.