Mastery of Design: The Townshend Pink Topaz, 1800-69

Rose Topaz Surrounded by 34 Rose-Cut Diamonds
From the Collection of Reverend Townshend,
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Here’s another gem from the collection of Reverend Chauncy Hare Townshend, a cleric and poet, at the V&A. Included in Townshend’s collection are many specimens from the collection of Henry Philip Hope whose assortment of diamonds included the famed Hope Diamond. 


Townshend bequeathed his collection to the V&A in 1869 when the museum was still known as “The South Kensington Museum.” The unusual gems were, in large part, set into rings. This ring features a deep rose pink faceted oblong topaz bordered by thirty-four rose cut diamonds set in silver on an openwork mount. Topaz exhibits a variety of colors. Most common are blue, yellow and brown, however, in rare cases the stone can be found naturally in pink and orange.