CCG champagne Topaz

[the_mother_thing]

From the SGBT thread ... Can anyone speak to how sparkly this stone may be? I am not familiar with topaz to know how it behaves/performs, much less one that is flawless and so well cut. This gem is spot on in size for a ring I currently have, and hoped to find a champagne colored sparkly gem to put in it. A diamond is out of the budget for sure. I don't want something that will be "flat" so to speak, but I am not familiar with topaz. It would be enclosed entirely from sides (open underneath for cleaning) and bezel/gypsy set.

Appreciate any input/thoughts around this, or videos if you happen to have a topaz you don't mind sharing.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dk168]

Not an expert, just a consumer, and IMHO, topaz can sparkle very well, depending on cut quality and the amount of inclusion in the stone.

I have a precision cut white topaz from Jeff White, and recently bought a cheapo white topaz listed with "precision" in its title from an eBay vendor that is NOT listed in the List of Vendors for Reference, so that I can compare the two side by side, and the difference in sparkleness is very noticeable. Needless to say, JW's is miles better and is worth every penny.

The champagne topaz listed in Clear Cut Gems looks very nice indeed, and for that price, I believe it is a bargain.

Just my 2p.

DK

 

[the_mother_thing]

Thank you DK! I traded emails with CCG over the weekend, and inquired about a return period before proceeding. Assuming all goes well, and I purchase, I will definitely post pictures when I receive it.

Super-appreciate SparkliesLover posting this.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Assuming all goes well because I'd love to see your pictures of it. You're very welcome!

 

[dk168]

Good luck with your purchase, and I look forward to seeing pics of the stone IRL once you have it.

DK

 

[the_mother_thing]

Will follow up with pictures in a few days when it arrives.

 

[Acinom]

Yay! Looking forward to see your pics JoCoJenn

 

[the_mother_thing]

My USPS tracking app says the stone has arrived!

Alas, I am in the dentist office 40 miles away.

Pics forthcoming as soon as I get home and tear into that box.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Well, it's beautiful ... but, I am not sure I like it for the purposes that I bought it. The faceting, color & size - spot on and beautiful. But, the sparkle isn't quite what I imagined/expected, and the tilt window just prevents me from loving it. I know they cannot be avoided in some CS, but considering that is how I view it 99% of the time, I know I wouldn't enjoy it, and would later regret keeping it, so I think this one unfortunately will be going back. I have learned that for me personally - if I don't absolutely LOVE it on first sight - it's not a keeper. I think I could probably get passed the sparkle issue, if not for the tilt window.

I took pics with both my cell and iPad (both of which take great pics but each does a different job capturing some stone colors better). In this case, iPad pics are attached and fairly closely represent the color I see in person.

 

[Dioptase]

What do you mean "tilt window"?

 

[the_mother_thing]

What do you mean "tilt window"?

In the third picture, it shows what I see when the gem is viewed on an angle. There is no window when looking straight down on the stone at all; only on an angle.

 

[chrono]

A tilt window is expected in almost all CS, only that it seems more obvious in light coloured stones than dark coloured stones. Once set, this also becomes slightly less noticeable.

 

[SparkliesLuver]

I'm sorry it didn't work out for you, JoCoJenn. I'll keep an eye out though.

 

[Acinom]

Sorry to hear the stone is not what you were looking for. Hopefully you will find the ideal champagne coloured topaz soon. Happy search

It's a good decision in my opinion to sent it back if you have your reservations. Otherwise the stone will remain unset and unloved.

 

[deskjockey]

I have a big light colored topaz, and there's definitely a much more obvious tilt window than with other stones I have. If you're not looking at it dead-on-straight, it's noticeable. I liked it enough (both color and cut, also price) to keep it, but can totally understand why you might not like that.

That said, in a bezel setting, it may not be so obvious. Did you try foil wrapping around it to see how it looks under the conditions which you'd have set it?

 

[SparkliesLuver]

Maybe you could contact Doug (of Bespoke Gems) and see if he has any rough that might work out for you.

 

[the_mother_thing]

Thank you all! It really is a beauty so I do hope no one takes my comment as anything less.

I wasn't particularly looking for any specific stone type; rather a color and size. I need to find a list of common stone types and their respective RI so I know going fwd which ones may/may not work best for me in that regard.