Post subject: Re: Intense pink/Magenta Katlang topaz specimen on eBay
Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2014 5:27 pm
Gemology Online Veteran
Joined: Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:48 am Posts: 584 Location: Odenton, Maryland
Is it facetable? Sure. Facet grade? Perhaps. I think "facet grade" means anything you can see through, to most sellers at least. Would I facet it? I don't think so. I see what looks like full fractures in it, and certainly a lot of smaller inclusions.
It is a remarkable color--and the fact that it's in matrix (to me) means it's either untreated or a heck of a fakeout
And at $8,500, or even $85, I sure wouldn't buy it without being able to touch it first
With a dealer, facet grade can mean anything. Without closer inspection or better pictures it would be hard to tell. Topaz can have fractures, bubbles ( with gas or even liquid inside them ) or other inclusions that are not easy to see unless you look at it from all angles before cutting. And then you can still miss some. I have a topaz on the dop, at home now, that I found some small bubble inclusions only after cutting and polishing the pavilion, heh.
_________________ "Distracted by something shiny."
It is a remarkable color--and the fact that it's in matrix (to me) means it's either untreated or a heck of a fakeout
Note that Katlang topaz actually often are treated on matrix which is indeed an impressive fakeout, but that's for irradiation only (which can turn pinkish stones a very intense Imperial orange-red). I doubt a matrix specimen would stand up to heat, which is the treatment you'd use to bring out pink in these stones (as it drives off color centers which can mask the color). I also suspect that more inclusions would be tolerated in a faceted topaz of this color than in others, considering its beauty and rarity. But it is likely worth more as a specimen given its excellent form and presentation than it would be in a much smaller cut stone.
upcyclist wrote:
And at $8,500, or even $85, I sure wouldn't buy it without being able to touch it first
I'd shell out a crapton more than 85 for it on the basis of the photos. Even if it is paler and more included in person, a nicely-formed distinctly pink topaz is always a welcome sight. I've bought lots of specimens on eBay and I'm rarely disappointed with the results--photos (aside from color doctoring, which is rarely sophisticated on that venue) almost never convey the full beauty of a mineral specimen.
Post subject: Re: Intense pink/Magenta Katlang topaz specimen on eBay
Posted: Fri Jan 17, 2014 1:39 pm
Gemology Online Royal Princess
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 10:56 am Posts: 6461 Location: The frozen north prairie :-/
As I said, Barry, I have no experience in faceting; I was just curious as to "facet-grade". I'm hoping one day I'll understand just what makes one piece of rough worthy of being cut while another not.
Sure would make a beautiful ring, though . But, then again, it would be a superb specimen just as it is. Wonder if my hubby has a rich OLD relative somewhere .
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Post subject: Re: Intense pink/Magenta Katlang topaz specimen on eBay
Posted: Mon Jan 20, 2014 2:10 pm
Gold Member
Joined: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:04 pm Posts: 1642 Location: Walnut Creek, CA
When checking the matrix for eventual hints about irradiation (or other issues), just consider that specimens where crystals are "artistically" glued onto a matrix are not that infrequent.
Post subject: Re: Intense pink/Magenta Katlang topaz specimen on eBay
Posted: Sat Jan 25, 2014 11:02 am
New to the Forum or The Quiet Type
Joined: Fri May 11, 2012 6:59 am Posts: 8 Location: Bagram, Afghanistan
This "gem" is something very difficult to value, even if you completely trust the dealer. Another difficulty lies in where it sits; Pakistan. I talk to this guy on a regular basis and I like him but it seems to me, and as long as I've spoken with Pakistan dealers, Their pricing is always in the high retail range...true bummer, especially in this case!
I believe there are 2 factors; proximity to valuable and rare materials and proximity to buyers with access to clients in China and India...just my opinion...
This is only tangentially related, but it's a very odd picture I just came across in an image search:
It's supposed to be a katlang topaz. The color is right. The matrix is right. But darn, that crystal form is all wrong! It looks like an igneous cavity-formed topaz, ala Shigar. Weird! This is the first example I've seen of a chromium-bearing (indeed, 'imperial-type') topaz with this crystal form.
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