Imperial Topaz
Chemical Formula
AL2SiO4(OH,F)2
Chemical Class
Silicates
Properties
Imperial topaz is topaz most rare variety. This variety found in Russia is a ‘precious stone’ used as a gemstone all over the world, and it is highly appreciated by mineral collectors, due to is rarity and extreme beauty.
Origin
Ouro Preto
Curiosities
‘Imperial Topaz’ would have been officially named as such in 1881, by Brazil´s Emperor, Dom Pedro II, and the Empress, Dona Tereza Cristina, as they received as a gift one of such gemstones by the French mineralogist Claude-Henri Gorceix, the founder of Escola de Minas de Ouro Preto.
Use
Imperial Topaz is used in jewelry manufacturing. Imperial Topaz photo credit: Leonardo Miranda
Source: MM Gerdau - Museu das Minas e do Metal -