Precious Ring with Imperial Topaz & Diamonds in Gold & Silver, c. 1820 & Later

The "Brazilian Ruby"

Precious Ring with Imperial Topaz & Diamonds in Gold & Silver, c. 1820 & Later

€ 5,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

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 organized a grand celebration. Rumors had been circulating since 1751 about a "Brazilian ruby", a new type of gemstone from Brazil that would provide the notoriously cash-strapped royal family with new financial reserves and great prestige. In 1768, the time had finally come: Joseph I and his entire court celebrated euphorically when the first newly mined gemstones from Brazil reached Europe. They were not rubies, however, but wonderful topazes of previously unseen color, reminiscent of ripe peaches or sherry. The imperial topaz still delights today, as this special topaz is still only found in Ouro Preto. It is the most expensive and rarest topaz of all, transparent and radiant. For many generations, it was reserved 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 greater depths in the same place. This ring presents such an imperial stone from the heart of the tropics: the large topaz weighing around 5.15 carats with its typical orange-brown color is embedded in a frame of diamonds. The beautiful, individual old cuts, set in silver, underline the beauty of the center stone with a gentle sparkle. The ring face, which we can date to around 1820 due to its shape and workmanship, was originally a small brooch. The ring band made of high-carat gold was added more recently. The ring comes with the pictured certificate from the Gemmological Laboratory Vienna, which once again confirms the value and quality of the materials.

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On the history and occurrence of imperial topaz, see Peter C. Keller: The Capão Topaz Deposit, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in: Gems & Gemology 19.1 (1983), pp. 12-20, and with another topaz & diamond jewellery of the same period David Bennet and Daniela Mascetti: Understanding Jewellery, Woodbridge 2010, p. 60.

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Size & Details

The "Brazilian Ruby"

€ 5,980.00 ^*

Content 1 piece

Incl. VAT, Shipping

Our Promise

We want you to be 100% satisfied! For that reason, we examine, describe and photograph all of our jewellery with the utmost care.

You can rely on our years of experience in the trade and our expertise as a professional art historians for reviews of the antique jewellery. As a member of various trade organisations and the British Society of Jewellery Historians, we remain committed to the highest possible degree of accuracy. In our descriptions, we always also indicate any signs of age and defects and never hide them in our photos – this saves you from any unpleasant surprises when your package arrives.

Should you for some reason not be satisfied, please don’t hesitate to contact us so that we can find a solution together. In any case, you can return any article within one month and we will refund the full purchase price.

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The "Brazilian Ruby"

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