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 Post subject: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 6:55 am 
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Hi all,

I am new to this site, but there is a great amount of information available here so thank you to all.

My query is regarding the following auction and others like it.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/254CT-Golden-Oran ... 3cb6dfd859

Is this likely to have been irradiated to produce the colour as it seems way too cheap and large to be a natural Imperial colour topaz(or what I suspect is Imperial colour when cut - please feel free to educate me on this :) ).

I wouldn't really be expecting to pay less than $10 a carat for half decent topaz of this colour, nevermind the clarity displayed here.

I did actually ask one of the sellers if it had been treated, and they replied, "It is completely natural" which I suspect is not answering my question.

Any advice would be appreciated,

Regards

Nick


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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:34 am 
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Hi Nick and welcome.
One can certainly not make any determinations from looking at a photo.
Frankly, irradiation in topaz is virtually impossible to detect with sophisticated instrumentation.


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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 10:51 am 
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The price you're quoting in your post is not the selling price. At the time I posted this the auction reserve price had not yet been met. For topaz of that color, size and clarity I assure you that the final price, whatever it may be, will be considerably higher than $2/ct.

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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:35 pm 
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Hi Rom,

I know the reserve had not been met, however I bid on a similar piece a couple of days ago, and it was just over $2 a carat for the final price with the reserve met. It was 247cts and went for $510 which is very cheap imo. Unfortunately I didn't win the piece(or fortunately depending how you look at it).

Is it possible to request the seller to provide a certificate of authenticity from the GIA certifying the stone as natural and untreated?

Thank you for your help

Nick


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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:51 pm 
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I know of this vendor. He is a scammer. Avoid.

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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:08 pm 
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Nick, I was responding to you but Jason saved me the trouble. Lots of games are played with topaz and this seller raises big red flags from me. One of my suppliers deals in fine Ouro Preto topaz and comparable rough from him is astonishingly expensive. Beware of EBay "deals."

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 Post subject: Re: 200ct+ imperial topaz at less than $2 a carat rough???
PostPosted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:18 pm 
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Thank you Jason and Rom, your input is much appreciated.

I shall just stick to my instincts with this sort of thing, and if it looks too good to be true, stay away. :)


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