Timeless Treasures


Home
Gem Settings
Search All
For Pearls
Browse All
Antique Gemstones set in Contemporary Jewelry
Custom Jewelry

Earrings Styles (Dangles)

Rings (without gemstones)
14kt Gold
10kt Gold
Sterling Silver
Chain
14kt Gold
Gold Fill
Sterling Silver
Custom Bails
Custom Bails for Pendants and Chain

Hand Carved Scrimshaw Pendants

Pearl Settings

Tie Tacks

Contact us

For Customers outside of USA

Antique Handcut Genuine Natural Russian Thirty-Five Carat Checkerboard Faceted Baguette Cut Blue Topaz Semi-Precious Gemstone. Contemporary High Quality Sterling Silver Pendant Setting.

ORIGIN: The Ural Mountains, Siberia, Russia.

CLASSIFICATION: Pastel Blue Checkerboard Faceted Baguette Cut Blue Topaz.

SIZE: Length: 23 1/2mm. Width: 20mm. Depth: 12 1/2mm (thickness). All measurements are approximate.

WEIGHT: 35.77 carats.

NOTES: Default chain is silver electroplate 16, 18, 20 or 24 inch (provided free). Sterling silver chains are also available in lengths from 16 to 24 inches. 14kt solid gold pendant setting together with 14kt gold fill and solid 14kt gold chains in lengths from 18 to 24 inches are available upon request.

DETAIL: In the ancient world topaz came from Topazion, an Island in the Red Sea now called Zabargad. In the ancient world, topaz was thought to protect against evil and to the ancient Egyptians, the sparkle of topaz symbolized "Ra", their sun god. Here's a magnificent, sparkling pastel blue topaz semi-precious gemstone from the Ural Mountains of Russia. Gorgeous, vibrant, and vividly hued, this striking semi-precious gemstone is of very high quality and possesses breathtaking luster. It has been hand cut into a sparkling, brilliant, checkerboard faceted baguette with lots of flash and depth. As you can see, this is an exceptionally good quality gemstone. Certainly to the eye it is nothing less than perfect, it is truly a beautiful, sumptuous, and regal-sized semi-precious gemstone. The gemstone was hand crafted and faceted by a Russian artisan, part of a centuries-long heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia.

Under magnification the gemstone shows the unmistakable characteristics of having been hand crafted. The coarseness of the antique, handcrafted finish is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment, or to detract from the value of a gemstone. These characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, most serious collectors consider such gemstones more desirable, possessed of greater character and uniqueness when compared to today's cookie-cutter mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones. Unlike today's computer controlled machine produced gemstones that approach flawlessness in a perfect finish, the cut and finish of a handcrafted gemstone such as this is the cultural legacy passed onwards by artisans who lived two centuries ago. The setting is of contemporary origin. It is a high quality setting manufactured of solid sterling silver, and can be reset into 14kt gold if requested. The default chain is silver electroplated 24 inch. However we do have solid sterling silver (as well as 14kt gold and gold fill) chains available in lengths between 16 and 24 inches available upon request.

This gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and to the eye is completely transparent, but one cannot say with absolute certainty that it is absolutely flawless. True, any blemishes it possesses are not visible to the naked eye, and even at 600% as in these photo enlargements here (or under a 5x jeweler's loupe) there are no discernible flaws. However we hesitate to use the word "flawless", as sooner or later blemishes will show up at higher levels of magnification with almost every natural gemstone. An absolutely flawless gemstone is very rare in nature (and usually turns out to be synthetic). However the gemstone can be characterized at a minimum, to use trade jargon, as "loupe clean". To the eye it is indeed flawless; even to a jeweler's loupe it is clean. Close examination with a jeweler's loupe will however reveal occasional slight irregularities in the faceting and finish. Naturally these characteristics are expected of hand-finished gemstones. However for most, the unique nature and character of hand-crafted gemstones such as this more than makes up for imperfect finishes which by and large, are only noticed under high magnification.

HISTORY: The origin of topaz in the ancient world was a small island in the Red Sea known as Topazion, a Greek term meaning "to guess". The island was typically obscured by fog, making it difficult for early navigators to find. Typically yellow, topaz in the ancient world was held as a talisman to protect against evil and was used to treat many different ailments including asthma. The ancient Greeks believed topaz would give great strength to whomsoever wore the stone, and was also worn as an amulet to ward off enchantment, In ancient Egypt the golden glow of yellow topaz symbolized "Ra", their sun god. There are also many references to "topaz" in ancient texts, including numerous references in the Bible. It is believed that the topaz of modern mineralogists was unknown to the ancients. Rather, that the stone called topazios was the mineral chrysolite or peridot. Likewise, the "topaz" referred to in the Old Testament was most likely chrysolite. Topaz is found in yellow, orange, green, blue, red, and white (colorless) hues. Topaz is one of the hardest minerals in nature, and for that reason, highly valued as a gemstone.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".