{"product_id":"georgian-imperial-topaz-necklace","title":"Georgian Imperial Topaz Necklace","description":"\u003cp\u003eFantastic Georgian period necklace set with eighteen imperial topaz gemstones - long pears and ovals of the most gorgeous peachy orange - in foiled, closed back cut-down settings. Rose cut diamond accents punctuate the spaces between each topaz drop, beautifully set in silver and made to look like pairs of ribbon, and they hang from a simple 15 carat gold cable link chain fastening with a barrel clasp. Dating from the very early 1800s and complete with its original red leather presentation box, the imperial topaz gemstones total around 55 carats. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e18th century explorers in Brazil discovered, amongst other things, rich deposits of imperial topaz (aka precious topaz) at the Ouro Preto mines in the Minas Gerias region. Known for their remarkable colour - peach, pink, orange, and yellow - stones were brought back to Europe and set in ornate floral or bow-like pieces, often alongside chrysoberyl and aquamarine to stunning effect. These \"precious\" stones were so highly regarded by the Russian monarchy that they soon garnered the \u003cem\u003eImperial\u003c\/em\u003e title. \u003cem\u003e\"Imperial topaz has always been a costly gemstone and it is surprising how keen the lapidaries were to heat the stones. A Parisian jeweller named Dumelle discovered that golden topaz became a glorious pink upon being heated and 'pinked' topaz became popular [in the 18th century]. The trace element chromium is what created the pink colour upon heating, but not all imperial topaz contained this element. Topaz without chromium will become colourless and can easily fracture when heated.\"\u003c\/em\u003e - from 'Georgian Jewellery' by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings (2007)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNeedless to say, these gemstones have not been heated and retain their marvellous, vibrant sunshine-orange colour. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e***\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra: Georgian, circa 1800\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStones: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/blogs\/gemstones\/topaz\"\u003eImperial Topaz\u003c\/a\u003e (55 carats in total, calculated weight) \u0026amp; Rose Cut Diamonds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 16.5 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCentral drop: 3.5cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWidth of chain: 2mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarks: None, tested as 15ct gold and silver\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Good antique condition; evidence of an old repair to one of the drops. Light wear consistent with age. The chain is a later (circa 1900) replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Heirloom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52316419326264,"sku":"PA286","price":10750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/7387\/2952\/files\/georgian-imperial-topaz-necklace-7946653.jpg?v=1778133313","url":"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/products\/georgian-imperial-topaz-necklace","provider":"Lost Owl Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}