Sell Your Topaz Gemstones Today
Last updated: April 25, 2019
Are you thinking of selling topaz that you inherited, received as a gift, or no longer wear? before you head to eBay or another online marketplace, notice that by NOT selling your topaz with Worthy you’ll probably receive less than you think. Due to its abundance in the market, most of topaz varieties remain at low price. Flawless topaz is easily available, and only some types like imperial topaz are highly prized. Blue topaz used to sell for up to $40 per carat decades ago, but in the recent years, wholesale prices have dropped.
Many jewelry designers avoid using imperial topaz and replace it with golden to peachy colors, in order to keep jewelry prices affordable. This is why, despite its high market value, you might find it difficult to find demand for imperial topaz.
A Brief History of Topaz
Topaz of different colors has been highly prized throughout history. Not surprisingly, the stones were revered by ancient Egyptians, who preferred the yellow to orange variety evocative of the sun and their sun god, Ra. The Romans shared the belief that these stones got their color from the sun, and many in Europe believed that topaz was a reservoir of solar energy.
Because of its beauty, brilliance, and often large size, topaz has been a favorite with monarchs. One of the most famous pieces of topaz was discovered in Brazil in 1740. Weighing in at 1,680 carats and believed to be a diamond, the stone was called the Braganza diamond and was set in the Portuguese monarch’s crown. Later, it was discovered that the stone was a colorless topaz rather than a diamond; it – and the crown it graces – is now kept in the fabled Green Vault in Dresden, Germany.
What is Topaz?
Topaz is a gemstone that is classified as a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine. The purest topaz is colorless, but most pieces are colored due to various impurities within the stone’s structure. Colors ranging from wine to reddish orange to pale champagne are common. Pink topaz is among the rarest types and is highly prized. Imperial topaz and Brazilian imperial topaz is also extremely valuable, occurring in shades of yellow, gold, pink, or even violet. Blue topaz is popular but is quite rare in nature; many pieces of blue topaz have been heat treated to intensify color. Mystic topaz has a rainbow effect; it is actually clear topaz that has been chemically treated.
Imperial Topaz
Imperial Topaz is highly distinctive in many ways. For starters, its unique coloration differentiates it from other variants of Topaz gemstones. These stones typically have a champagne, pink or peach color, and they are extraordinarily rare. Imperial Topaz gemstones are typically mined in the Ural Mountains of Russia, and more commonly in the Ouro Preto mines of Brazil.
Imperial Topaz gemstones largely originate from the Ouro Preto mines in Brazil. The range of colors that you're likely to encounter with these gemstones varies from yellowish brown to reddish brown, champagne, orange yellow and even orange red. When you sell Imperial Topaz gemstones, gemologists will verify this by checking the refractive index of the stones which should be in the region of 1.610-1.630 (these readings are variable), as well as the chemical composition of the stones, Al2SiO4 (F, OH) 2, otherwise known as aluminium hydroxyl fluorine silicate. On the Mohs scale, the stones have a hardness of 8, and they have a density of 2.64 - 2.65 (again with variations thereof). The stones are typically given on the 4th wedding anniversary and they have an orthorhombic crystal structure.
What Factors Affect the Value of Topaz?
There are several factors that affect the value of topaz, since each of these stones is unique. When appraising topaz, the famous 4 C’s are of great importance. Large, eye clean examples with rich color are highly desirable, particularly when they have been well-cut. Topaz may be cut into any shape – hearts, trillions, and circles are popular, as are emerald cut, cushion cut, and square cut topaz.
