American Golden Topaz
Encyclopedia
The American Golden Topaz, a 172-faceted topaz
weighing 22892.5 carats (4.6 kg), is the largest cut yellow topaz
in the world, and one of the largest faceted gem
s of any type in the world. Originating from Minas Gerais, Brazil, it was cut by Leon Agee over a period of two years from an 11.8 kg (26 lb avdp
) stream-rounded cobble owned by Drs. Marie L. and Edgar F. Borgatta. It was contributed jointly by the Borgatta owners and by Rockhound Hobbyists of America to the Smithsonian Institution
in 1988 and is displayed in the National Museum of Natural History
in Washington, D.C.
.
Topaz
Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO42. Topaz crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces.-Color and varieties:...
weighing 22892.5 carats (4.6 kg), is the largest cut yellow topaz
Topaz
Topaz is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine with the chemical formula Al2SiO42. Topaz crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces.-Color and varieties:...
in the world, and one of the largest faceted gem
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
s of any type in the world. Originating from Minas Gerais, Brazil, it was cut by Leon Agee over a period of two years from an 11.8 kg (26 lb avdp
Pound (mass)
The pound or pound-mass is a unit of mass used in the Imperial, United States customary and other systems of measurement...
) stream-rounded cobble owned by Drs. Marie L. and Edgar F. Borgatta. It was contributed jointly by the Borgatta owners and by Rockhound Hobbyists of America to the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
in 1988 and is displayed in the National Museum of Natural History
National Museum of Natural History
The National Museum of Natural History is a natural history museum administered by the Smithsonian Institution, located on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., United States. Admission is free and the museum is open 364 days a year....
in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
.
External links
- American Golden Topaz
- Large topaz crystals, National Museum of Natural History
