gems, Brazil, topaz, imperial topaz, Capão, Minas Gerais

Bastos describes an exceptional group of imperial topaz crystals recovered near Saramenha in the Ouro Preto district of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The nine crystals, ranging from 22.5 to 333 grams, are notable for their unusually fine wine, pink, peach, and reddish-orange colors and exceptional clarity, and are illustrated in color. The Saramenha occurrence differs from many other Ouro Preto topaz deposits in its associated minerals: the crystals occur with limonite and specular hematite, while mica and kaolin are absent. Bastos also notes the characteristic strong longitudinal striations displayed by topaz crystals from the district. The article is principally a record of an unusually important find rather than a detailed geological study, documenting specimens that the author regarded as among the finest topaz crystals discovered in Brazil.