Doug Menadue :: Bespoke Gems - Precision Hand Faceted Gemstones Of The Highest Quality

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Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #451
Design : Asscher Cut
Origin : O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.1 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 8 x 8 x 6.2 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : The classic topaz Asscher from O'Briens Creek, the perfect combination of stone and design. The silver white of the topaz is ideal for bringing out the best in the patterns and reflections of the Asscher. This gem is bright and performs very well and is a little work of art in itself. O'Briens Creek topaz - the best in the world!

The stones in the background are topaz stones that I dug from O'Briens Creek. Most of the topaz that you will find here has a waterworn appearance however nice crystals can also be obtained. This area is a fascinating one to explore and the topaz from one place or creek can have a different crystal structure/appearance to topaz from the next valley. Fossickers that have been digging here at O'Briens Creek for a length of time can often tell you almost exactly where a particular topaz has come from just by looking at it.

Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451
Topaz, Asscher, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #451

 
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
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Stone : Champagne Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #432
Design : Maya Drop (Marco Voltolini)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 6.8 carats
Clarity : Very Very Slightly Included
Size : 11.7 x 14.7 x 7.3mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Here is a very fine natural champagne topaz from O'Briens Creek. This material is quite scarce and the colour is subtle and beautiful. The design is a modern teardrop style and this stone would make a stunning pendant or ring. Because of their rarity, these natural champagne topaz from O'Briens Creek become very special and personal. I only have a small handful of these stones and once they're gone, they're gone.

Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #432

 
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365
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Stone : Champagne Topaz (Matched Pair)
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #365
Design : Maya Drop (Marco Voltolini)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.1 carats each
Clarity : Eye Clean / Very Very Slightly Included
Size : 11 x 9 x 6 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Another colour that is found at the renown O'Briens Creek gemfield is a lovely pale champagne. Where the blues might be one in a hundred stones, the champagnes are maybe one in five hundred. They are not that common and in all honesty, because they are quite pale they are often overlooked. Its not until they are cut and put along side silvery white topaz gems that you notice that, hey, this one's champagne.

The design that I have cut this matching pair in is a modern take on the classic pear shape. Its a fantastic design and works really well in topaz. The gems are cut in a calibrated size and I think they would fit a standard setting without too much difficulty. One of the gems has a very small needle inclusion but other then that the gems are nice and clean, lovely and bright. These are a very fine pair of pale champagne topaz from O'Briens Creek and would make a beautiful pair of earrings.
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365
Champagne Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #365

 
Topaz, Princess Look Alike, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #303
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Stone : Topaz (Matched Pair)
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #303
Design : Princess Look Alike (Alexandre Wolkonsky)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 2.6 carats each
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 7 x 7 x 5.5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A bright pair of O'Briens Creek topaz cut in a modern Princess Cut design. These are a matched pair that would make a perfect pair of earrings. One has just a touch of blue however I think they work very well together. They are a nice bright silvery white.
Topaz, Princess Look Alike, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #303
Topaz, Princess Look Alike, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #303
Topaz, Princess Look Alike, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #303
Topaz, Princess Look Alike, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #303

 
Topaz, Emerald Checker, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #184

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #184
Design : Emerald Checker (Fred Van Sant)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 5.9 carats
Clarity : Very Very Slightly Included
Size : 8 x 13 x 6 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A bright clear topaz from O'Briens Creek. The crown is cut in a checkerboard style and overall has a similar look to the Smith Bar design. There is just the tiniest little silver needle inclusion... these needles are common in topaz and are often so hard to see that you don't notice them until you go to polish the stone. A very nice gem.
Topaz, Emerald Checker, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #184
Topaz, Emerald Checker, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #184
Topaz, Emerald Checker, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #184
Topaz, Emerald Checker, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #184

 
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #366
Design : Maya Drop (Marco Voltolini)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.1 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 11 x 9 x 6 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Here is a very bright silvery white topaz cut in a modern pear design. The gem has a veil inclusion in the pavilion but its not that noticable. A very nice topaz from O'Briens Creek.
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366
Topaz, Maya Drop, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #366

 
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #347
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #347
Design : Sunflare (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 2.2 carats each
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 8 x 8 x 5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : An ultra bright pair of matched O'Briens Creek topaz cut in my favorite Sunflare design. These are matched in size and weight and are ideally suited as earring stones. They really are very bright and sparkling gems and outside in the daylight make sure you've got sunglasses on. :-) Top gems!

Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #347
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #347
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #347
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #347

 
Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338
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Stone : Champagne Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #338
Design : Spider (Bob Keller)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 20.7 carats
Clarity : Slightly Included
Size : 18.5 x 18.5 x 7 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Here's something a bit different. This is a natural champagne coloured topaz found at O'Briens Creek. These champagne topaz are very scarce for this locality, maybe one in several thousand stones you find might be a champagne. This gem is one of a number of topaz that I recently cut for a long time digger on the topaz fields. What makes this gem doubly special is the spider design. This is one of those designs that is really only seen close to the gemfields among topaz diggers and faceters. Its a bit of a status symbol, owning one of these spiders... its kind of like having a red-tailed black cockatoo feather in your hat (its an Aussie Outback thing :-). The design is best cut in a large topaz so that the spider can be clearly seen, generally at least 14mm or bigger. They make great pendants and that is how you'll normally see one worn. There is a small veil inclusion above the spider's head but besides that its a top gem, very unique!

Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338
Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338
Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338
Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338
Champagne Topaz, Spider, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #338

 
Topaz, Penta Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #341
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #341
Design : Penta Brilliant (Jeff Graham)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 9.6 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 12.5 x 12.5 x 9 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : I like these five sided designs and I should cut more of them. This is another topaz from a batch I recently cut for a digger. This is a very bright gemstone with plenty of brilliance and flash.
Topaz, Penta Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #341
Topaz, Penta Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #341
Topaz, Penta Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #341

 
Topaz, Girl's Best Friend, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #340
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #340
Design : Girl's Best Friend (Robert Strickland)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 8.2 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 12 x 16 x 8 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : This is a nice bright topaz cut in a bold and interesting diamond checkerboard cushion design. It has a very exciting and flashy action.
Topaz, Girl's Best Friend, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #340
Topaz, Girl's Best Friend, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #340
Topaz, Girl's Best Friend, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #340
Topaz, Girl's Best Friend, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #340

 
Natural Blue Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #339
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Stone : Natural Blue Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #339
Design : Sunflare (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 8.8 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 13 x 13 x 7 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : One of a number of topaz I recently cut for a long time digger on the topaz fields. This is a pale natural blue topaz (what we call "arctic blue") that is cut in my ultra bright Sunflare design. There are some needle inclusions in this gem but in person they are barely noticable. This is a nice bright topaz that is dazzling in the sunlight.
Natural Blue Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #339
Natural Blue Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #339
Natural Blue Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #339

 
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
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Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2011
Item : #335
Design : Sunflare (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 6.6 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 12 x 12 x 6.5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : The "Sunflare" design is one that I have recently created. I designed this gem to be exceptionally bright with a high scintillation and dispersion... and it delivers big time! This silver white topaz from O'Briens Creek is incredible... it truely needs to be seen in real life to truely appreciate how great a performer it is. It would make a diamond envious! The dispersion is like a fire of rainbow flashes and fireworks going off. Imagine party confetti sprinkled inside the gem continually flashing and shining. This gem would suit any jewelry setting but would be particularly good as a ring or pendant. A top class gem!
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335
Topaz, Sunflare, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #335

 
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #231
Design : KwikOval (Fred Van Sant)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.2 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 8 x 10 x 6 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A very bright slivery white topaz from O'Briens Creek. It is cut in a nice oval design that performs exceptionally well. The size is calibrated and should easily fit most settings.
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231
Topaz, KwikOval, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #231

 
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #202
Design : Radiant Emerald
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 4.7 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 8 x 10.5 x 7 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Clear, sharp and silvery white, this gem is very bright. It is a variation of the emerald cut having a step crown and a radiant style pavilion. It performs well and would be a good choice for a pendant.
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202
Topaz, Radiant Emerald, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #202

 
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #276
Design : Phi Flower Dome (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 17.2 carats
Clarity : Very Very Slightly Included
Size : 14.5 x 14.5 x 11.5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A large magnificent O'Brien Creek topaz. This design is my high performance and very challenging to cut "Phi Flower Dome" and imbues the topaz with exceptional brilliance and "fire".
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276
Topaz, Phi Flower Dome, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #276

 
Topaz, Octadome #12, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #272

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #272
Design : Octadome #12 (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 12.8 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 13 x 13 x 10 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : This is another large topaz from O'Briens Creek. Out in the sun this design has an exceptionally high dispersion and fire. It is truely dazzling and a very fine gemstone.
Topaz, Octadome #12, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #272
Topaz, Octadome #12, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #272
Topaz, Octadome #12, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #272

 
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #269
Design : Acorn (Doug Menadue)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 21.5 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 13 x 13 x 15 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : This one is a beauty! It is a fine silver white topaz from O'Briens creek. It was cut for a customer who found it on one of our topaz digging tours. This acorn design creates an amazing gem... in the sunlight it is truely blinding! The profile reminds me of those classical Grecian urns. A very special and pleasing gemstone.

Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269
Topaz, Acorn, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #269

 
Topaz, Yin-Yang, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #263

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #263
Design : Yin-Yang (Fred Vand Sant)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 15.4 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 16 x 16 x 11 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A very fine topaz cut in the elegant Yin-Yang design. This design works beautifully in topaz, both the silvery white and natural blue varieties. Its one of those designs that just looks great especially in large stones.
Topaz, Yin-Yang, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #263
Topaz, Yin-Yang, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #263
Topaz, Yin-Yang, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #263
Topaz, Yin-Yang, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #263

 
Topaz, Under The Dome #5, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #260

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #260
Design : Under The Dome #5
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 13.33 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 12 x 14.6 x 10.5 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A silvery clear O'Briens Creek topaz cut in my Under The Dome #5 design. I like this design for the stepped crown and it has a very high brilliance and lots of fire and sparkle.
Topaz, Under The Dome #5, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #260
Topaz, Under The Dome #5, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #260
Topaz, Under The Dome #5, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #260

 
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #204
Design : Flanders Brilliant
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 3.9 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 9 x 9 x 6 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : Clear, silvery white topaz and the classic Flanders Brilliant design go so well together. The Flanders Brilliant was originally developed as a diamond cut but has since been optimised for other gemstones. Being a diamond cut it well suits other clear gemstone like topaz. It is particularly bright and the patterns look great. This gem has several inclusions in the crown.
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204
Topaz, Flanders Brilliant, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, Australia, #204

 
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #238
Design : Victoria Cut (Fred Van Sant)
Origin : O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 2.4 carats
Clarity : Eye Clean
Size : 7.5 x 7.5 x 5.5 mm
Price : $180 AUD

Comments : This topaz is cut in a classic old-style cushion design. The design is actually based on the design used for four of the famous large diamonds (view the design for more info). The black that shows up in some of the pictures is simply a reflection of the camera lens - the gem is quite silvery white.
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238
Topaz, Victoria Cut, O'Briens Creek, North Queensland, Australia, #238

 
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259

Stone : Topaz
Cut By : Doug Menadue, 2010
Item : #259
Design : Smith Bar
Origin : O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia
Treatments : None
Weight : 43 carats
Clarity : Very Slightly Included
Size : 12 x 22 x 13 mm
Price : SOLD

Comments : A monster of a topaz... the biggest Smith Bar I've ever cut and seen. This big stone was found by a couple who came out with us on the topaz digging tour... they were over the moon when they dug this beauty up! Cutting big stones like this is a time consuming and very challenging endevour especially when it comes to polishing those big long rectangular facets. There are a few very fine silver needles in this gem. I've included some "action" shots to show you the original rough stone and the cutting process.
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259
Topaz, Smith Bar, O'Briens Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia, #259

 


Information For precious and semi precious gemstones

Stone : Topaz / Blue Topaz
Moh's Hardness : 8
Origin Locations : O'Briens' Creek, Mt Surprise, North Queensland, Australia; Oban, NSW, Australia; Africa; Minas Gerais, Brazil; Texas, USA; Russia; Afghanistan; Madagascar; Cornwall, England; and others.
Treatments : None to Various
Weight : Ranges from < 5 grams to 1KG+. Commonly found < 20 grams
Clarity : Eye Clean to Included
Color : Clear silvery white, natural blue, treated blues (eg. london blue, electric blue, swiss blue, sky blue), yellow, red-brown, red, pink-red, violet, green
Cleavage : Perfect
Chemical Composition : Al2[(F,OH)2/SiO4] - fluor containing aluminum silicate
Refractive Index (RI) : 1.609 - 1.643
Density : 2.49 - 3.57

Birthstones : Topaz (Yellow/Golden) is the birthstone for November.
Blue topaz (natural or treated) is the birthstone for December.
Topaz is the zodiac stone for the sign of Sagittarius.
Topaz is the ayurvedic birthstone for November.
Blue topaz is the stone for the 4th anniversary
Topaz is the stone for the 23rd anniversary
Comments : The history of topaz is a long and ancient one and the gem has long been used as an ornament and jewelry stone. The name "Topaz" is thought to come from the name of an island in the Red Sea formerly called Topazos but now Zebirget. Topaz was mined here on this island. Another possible origin of the name Topaz is that it comes from the Sanskrit word "tapas" which means "fire" or "heat". This could be due to the yellow/red colour that topaz sometimes occurs in.

Many people believe that topaz comes only in yellow and this is true, it does come in yellow. However fancy colors like yellow, reds, oranges and pinks are actually quite rare, so is the very beautiful natural blue. My personal thoughts on why yellow has become closely associate with topaz, in the same way that blue is associated with sapphire, is that in historical times the technology or ability to differentiate between types of stones was very limited. Yellow quartz, now known as Citrine, is quite common in many parts of the world and I believe that alot of yellow topaz was actually yellow quartz. Today we have the ability to tell the difference between the various types of stones but one still has to be cautious in the marketplace and buy from a reputable dealer as there is still the potential for confusion.

Topaz makes an ideal jewelry stone as it is hard and very durable. It cuts well into brilliant designs and becomes a gem that has lots of scintillation and "fire". If I was pushed to pick a personal favorite of all the gemstones, I would probably have to give natural blue topaz the nod. It is a stone that I love to cut and the colour, though soft, is divine. Truly it is! The soft blue colour is for me, the most elegant of blues, soft and delicate, sometimes ethereal, sometimes icy like the blue in an arctic iceberg. It is cooling on a hot day, fresh and light and always cheery and pleasing. Each stone is unique in its coloring, some have more blue, some less. The colour is easily as beautiful as aquamarine and in truth, far better then the vast majority of aquamarine that is in the marketplace.

Sadly, with the advent of modern gemstone treatment technology, natural blue topaz has taken an undeserved fall from popularity. Irradiation and heating is now routinely used to change the clear silvery white topaz into a uniform array of vivid treated blues. These stones have the trade names of london blue, electric blue, swiss blue and sky blue. The colour is the same for each category and this is the material that you see in jewelry stores across the land. It is cheap and plentiful whereas the natural blues are scarce and relatively expensive. This sudden mass explosion of treated blues dealt the natural blues a blow and that is sad, for these natural blues are easily one of the most beautiful gems in the world of coloured gemstones. Blue sapphires might be the Queen of Gems, but if there is a Princess of Gems, she would be a natural blue topaz.

 

 

 

 

 

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