Is Ostro blue topaz rare?

Max Ostro founded Ostro Minerals in 1960, and his company grew to be a leading producer of blue topaz. The senior Ostro is credited with refining the nomenclature used to describe the various colors of topaz. The color, the intensity of the blue and the clarity of the stone are what makes it so exceptionally rare.”

What is Ostro blue topaz?

The “Ostro Stone” is a 9,381 Carat flawless Swiss Blue Topaz. It weighs 4.4 pounds and is approximately 6 by 4 inches. Though the museum has not disclosed the exact value of the stone, it is certainly irreplaceable–made even more priceless by the incredible fortitude and legacy of its discoverer.

What is OBE kfo?

Maurice Samuel Ostro OBE (born 16 February 1965) is a British entrepreneur and philanthropist. Ostro was awarded the OBE (Order of the British Empire) in 2014, for services to business, charity and interfaith relations. He has also been appointed a KFO (Knight of the Royal Order of Francis I).

Is Ostro blue topaz natural?

Ostro discovered the flawless blue stone in its natural form deep in the Amazon rainforest in Brazil in the mid 1980s. The sparkling gem has been locked away in the Ostro family’s vaults ever since.

What is the biggest gemstone ever found?

The Cullinan Diamond is the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever found, weighing 3,106.75 carats (621.35 g) (21.9 ounces), discovered at the Premier No. 2 mine in Cullinan, South Africa, on 26 January 1905.

Are citrine and topaz the same thing?

Citrine (quartz family) and topaz are actually unrelated mineral species. Topaz belongs to the silicate mineral family, not quartz. Before these differences were clear, many cultures called citrine (the yellow variety of quartz) by other names like gold topaz, Madeira or Spanish topaz—contributing to the confusion.

Where was Cullinan Diamond found?

Pretoria, South Africa
On January 25, 1905, at the Premier Mine in Pretoria, South Africa, a 3,106-carat diamond is discovered during a routine inspection by the mine’s superintendent. Weighing 1.33 pounds, and christened the “Cullinan,” it was the largest diamond ever found.

What is Ostro Minerals blue topaz?

Its vivid blue colour is the result of treatments on the uncut specimen. Ostro Minerals was founded by Max Ostro in 1960, selling blue topaz and creating a luxury market for the stone. His son Maurice took over the family business five years ago. The company regularly collaborates with artists and designers to create jewellery with their gemstones.

What is the Ostro stone?

The Ostro stone will be exhibited on permanent loan from Maurice Ostro OBE, and remains part of the Ostro Topaz™ blue topaz collection. The original rough material that the gemstone was cut from was discovered three decades ago by British explorer Max Ostro in Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Why is the Ostro stone on display at the Museum of London?

‘It will be on display alongside our world-leading collection of minerals and gems, which is studied by scientists looking to find new sources of minerals, gemstones and metals.’ The Ostro stone will be exhibited on permanent loan from Maurice Ostro OBE, and remains part of the Ostro Topaz™ blue topaz collection.