Emperor of the Tropics

Precious Imperial Topaz Ring with Natural Pearls in Gold, ca. 1840

€ 6,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Precious Imperial Topaz Ring with Natural Pearls in Gold, ca. 1840

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

When news of the discovery of the rich topaz deposits of Ouro Preto in Brazil reached Lisbon, the Portuguese court threw a great party. Rumours had been circulating since 1751 about a "Brazilian ruby", a new type of gemstone from Brazil that would give the notoriously scarce royal house new financial reserves and great prestige. In 1768 the time had come: Joseph I and his entire court celebrated euphorically when the first newly mined precious stones from Brazil reached Europe. They were not rubies, however, but wonderful topazes of a previously unseen colour, reminiscent of ripe peaches or delicious sherry. The Imperial Topaz still enchants today, because this special topaz is still only found in Ouro Preto. It is the most expensive and rarest topaz ever, transparent and radiant. For many generations it was reserved only for the nobility of Europe, so small were the quantities mined. At the end of the 19th century, the deposits were even considered to be completely exhausted - until 1908, when more stones were found at a greater depth in the same place. This ring presents such an imperial stone from the heart of the tropics: The large Imperial Topaz weighing about 6.00 carats with its typical orange-brown colour is embedded in a frame of natural pearls, which further emphasize the value and beauty of the stone. The frame takes up the shape of the octagonally cut topaz and complements it with an openwork leaf motif on the ring shoulders, which gives the ring a beautiful play of light and shade. The ring, made of high-carat gold, can be dated to around 1840 based on its shape and ornamentation. It comes with the pictured certificate from the DeGeB in Idar-Oberstein, which further confirms the value and quality of the materials. The pictured, later added case by the Stuttgart court jeweler Ernst Menner is also part of the offer. Cf. on the history and occurrence of Imperial Topaz above all Peter C. Keller: The Capão Topaz Deposit, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in: Gems & Gemology 19,1 (1983), pp. 12-20, as well as with another Topaz & Diamond Jewellery of the same period David Bennet and Daniela Mascetti: Understanding Jewellery, Woodbridge 2010, p. 60.

Size & Details

Emperor of the Tropics

€ 6,290.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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Emperor of the Tropics

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