Brazil There are various theories regarding the name "topaz". One is that it comes from the Sanskrit word meaning "fire" and another is that it is linked to the Red Sea Island of Topazios (Zabergad or St. John's Island), where peridot has also been found. At one time the mines of the Ural Mountains were an important source for topaz, thus it is thought that the name "imperial topaz" is said to have originated in the 19th Century in Russia. Today, the gem trade generally uses the term for pink orange and red topaz, which comes mainly from Brazil. In the early days, topaz was the only significant gem found near Ouro Prêto. Another theory is that the gem was named "imperial" to honor Brazilian royalty. It is sometimes also called "precious" topaz. Both terms persist, in part because gem merchants wish to distinguish to customers the difference between gem topaz and citrine quartz. Topaz makes an excellent, very wearable gemstone due to its superior hardness of 8, density and brilliance. This lovely, rectangular emerald-cut stone displays the pastel reddish-orange hue and excellent transparency and brilliance. Weighing approximately 12.44 carats and measuring 15.56 x 10.63 x 7.25mm