DESCRIPTION: Only one in every thousand Imperial Topaz crystals extracted from the mines of Ouro Preto displays this extraordinary purple colour, making it one of the rarest and most exceptional expressions of Imperial Topaz. This crystal embodies precisely that rarity, presenting a beautifully expressive purple pink colour within a transparent and brilliantly lustrous prismatic form. It belongs to a category of Imperial Topaz that is seldom encountered on the market and possesses an immediately distinctive collector identity. The crystal possesses a refined, luminous body colour that moves between delicate violet pink, richer purple pink and subtle lavender depending on orientation and illumination. Light travels through the prism, activating the colour from within and creating brilliant flashes across its crystalline structures. Under stronger illumination, the upper faces and edges become especially vivid, with the purple pink component gaining intensity while the body preserves softer lilac nuances. Its morphology is equally compelling. The crystal is beautifully formed as an elongated prism, culminating in an attractive termination composed of several inclined faces. The termination gives the specimen a distinctive sculptural presence, while the elongated vertical faces preserve fine longitudinal structures characteristic of Topaz crystallisation. The combination of transparency, balanced proportions and a clearly readable termination creates the appearance of a naturally formed gemstone. The vitreous lustre is outstanding. Broad prism faces act almost as windows into the crystal, producing brilliant reflections while simultaneously exposing its transparent interior. Reflective internal features generate additional flashes and depth as the specimen is rotated, complementing the purple pink colour. Fine exterior striations catch narrow white highlights, giving the prism definition and emphasising its elongated architecture. Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, remains the historic world reference locality for Imperial Topaz, and its finest crystals are renowned for exceptional saturation, lustre and gem quality transparency. Within that already celebrated production, purple Imperial Topaz occupies a particularly distinguished position. The combination seen here of expressive colour, strong lustre, transparent areas and an attractive termination gives this specimen considerable collector appeal. This is an enduring collector crystal whose appeal rests simultaneously on rarity, provenance, colour and crystallographic beauty. Purple Imperial Topaz from Ouro Preto is a highly specialised field of collecting, and a crystal combining luminous purple pink colour with such an expressive prismatic form represents a captivating example of one of Brazil’s most celebrated gemstone minerals. SPECIFICATIONS: • Weight: 0.72 g • Weight in carats: 3.60 ct • Dimensions: 13 × 7 × 5 mm • Origin: Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil • Mineral species: Topaz • Variety: Imperial Topaz • Crystal system: Orthorhombic • Crystal habit: Elongated prismatic crystal • Termination: Distinctive termination with multiple inclined faces • Colour: Purple pink to violet pink with delicate lilac nuances • Colour behaviour: Pink, violet and lavender nuances vary according to illumination and viewing direction • Transparency: Transparent to locally translucent • Lustre: Strong vitreous lustre • Surface features: Prism faces with fine longitudinal structures • Internal features: Crystalline textures and reflective internal features • Hardness: 8 on the Mohs scale NOTABLE POINTS: • Exceptionally rare purple Imperial Topaz colour Pinkish purple to purple belongs among the rarest and most distinctive colour expressions associated with Ouro Preto Imperial Topaz. • Expressive purple pink body colour The crystal displays a sophisticated combination of violet, lavender and vivid pink nuances, with stronger colour accents around the upper faces. • Outstanding vitreous lustre Broad prism faces produce brilliant reflections that enhance the interaction between colour and transparency. • Distinctive crystal termination Several inclined faces form an attractive crystal head, giving the specimen strong structural definition and a recognisable silhouette. • Luminous transparency Light penetrates substantial areas of the crystal, revealing delicate lilac passages and a compelling sense of depth. • Strong response to illumination Direct and transmitted light bring out changing pink and violet reflections throughout the prism. • Elegant elongated prismatic habit The upright proportions give the specimen a refined architectural form and immediately recognisable Topaz morphology. • Fine longitudinal surface structures Parallel vertical features remain visible along the crystal faces, catching light in narrow, bright reflections. • Rare combination of colour and morphology The appeal of purple Imperial Topaz is strengthened here by the combination of transparent areas, strong lustre and an expressive termination. • Historic Ouro Preto provenance The specimen originates from the celebrated Brazilian district most closely associated with fine Imperial Topaz. • Engaging presentation from multiple angles Broad views reveal the luminous body, while oblique views emphasise the prism’s depth, exterior striations and inclined upper faces. • Distinctive collector identity Its colour, lustre and sculptural termination create an immediately recognisable specimen within an Imperial Topaz collection. COLLECTOR’S INTEREST: Purple Imperial Topaz occupies an exceptional position among collectible Topaz. The fascination of this colour lies in its combination of scarcity and visual delicacy: violet, lavender and pink can coexist within the same crystal, producing a nuanced appearance that rewards changes in lighting and orientation. The finest Imperial Topaz specimens are traditionally associated with Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, where colour, vitreous lustre, transparency and well developed crystals have established the locality as an international reference. This specimen brings those qualities together with the additional distinction of a captivating purple pink palette. Its collector appeal is strengthened by the preservation of its prismatic morphology and attractive termination. The crystal offers a complete visual composition in which exterior architecture, luminous colour and shifting reflections can be appreciated together. The contrast between its sharply defined longitudinal faces and softer lilac interior gives this particular specimen its character. LAPIDARY POTENTIAL: The transparent areas, purple pink colour and strong brilliance provide an appealing basis for lapidary consideration. Careful assessment and orientation would be essential to determine how the colour and internal structure could be expressed in a faceted gemstone. Its elongated form also offers inspiration for a bespoke pendant design that preserves the crystal’s existing silhouette. Nevertheless, the rarity of the colour and the individuality of the termination give the specimen a compelling identity in its present form. Any lapidary decision would therefore represent a choice between exploring its gemstone potential and preserving the distinctive architecture of this Purple Imperial Topaz crystal from Ouro Preto. _____________ Shipping and Handling: All orders are shipped by Portuguese National Post and UPS. • Dispatch time: within 1 to 3 business days after payment confirmation to Catawiki • Transit time service: between 2 to 5 business days within europe and worldwide, depending on destination national post. • A tracking number is always provided Photography and transparency: All photographs are taken under controlled lighting conditions using a macro lens, carefully selected to present each specimen as accurately as possible. No filters, colour enhancement, or artificial saturation are applied. The lighting setup uses a calibrated 5500K light source, replicating neutral daylight to reveal natural tones, surface features, and internal characteristics. Under warmer or weaker indoor lighting, colours may appear slightly different, which is normal. The purpose of this photographic process is documentation and representation, not visual enhancement. Images are intended to reflect the specimen faithfully as it appears under balanced natural light conditions. Identification and ethics: All specimens offered are natural and described to the best of our knowledge, based on direct sourcing, professional experience, and information provided by trusted suppliers working at the origin. Every effort is made to ensure transparency and accuracy regarding identification, locality, and general characteristics, avoiding misleading statements about treatment, provenance, or nature. Customs and import taxes: Any customs duties, import fees, or local taxes applied by the destination country are entirely the responsibility of the winning bidder. These charges are not included in the auction price or shipping cost and are determined by the buyer’s local authorities. Guarantee and resolution: Customer satisfaction is important. In the unlikely event of an issue such as loss, damage, or discrepancy, please contact us promptly through Catawiki’s messaging system. Each case is handled individually and fairly, with appropriate solutions offered when justified. Appreciation and commitment: We sincerely thank you for your trust. Our work focuses on careful selection, accurate representation, and respectful presentation of mineral specimens with character and interest. Each piece is chosen for its individual qualities rather than speculative or financial considerations. We aim to provide a transparent, reliable, and consistent experience for collectors at all levels. With gratitude, GemPulse Minerals