The Smithsonian National Gem Collection: Unearthed by Jeffrey Edward Post

Author:Jeffrey Edward Post
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Abrams
Published: 2021-03-23T00:00:00+00:00

Whitney Flame Topaz

The Whitney Flame Topaz is named in honor of the donor, Dr. Coralyn Wright Whitney. Smithsonian curators and Dr. Whitney first encountered the stone at the 2018 Tucson Gem and Mineral Show, and when they saw the smoldering stone, they knew instantly it belonged in the National Gem Collection.

The topaz was recovered in the early 1970s from the Capão mine in the famous Ouro Preto area in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The rough crystal weighed more than 200 carats and was originally cut to just over 50 carats for a private collector. The gem was recut to the current 48.86-carat pear shape to improve its proportions. The large size, fiery red color (caused by trace impurities of chromium), outstanding clarity, and stunning brilliance make this one of the finest imperial topaz gems in the world.

Only 1 to 2 percent of the topaz mined in the Ouro Preto region is gem-quality. Imperial topaz is coveted for its golden-orange to orange-red hues, and pure red gems such as the Whitney Flame are exceedingly rare and highly prized.

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