In today’s article, I have a personal connection to the topic at hand – blue topaz. This beautiful gemstone holds a special place in my heart as it is the December birthstone, which just so happens to be my birth month. I am passionate about blue topaz and all it has to offer.
What is Blue Topaz?
Blue topaz is a brilliant blue crystal from the topaz family; it has a white matrix, and jewelers have used it for centuries. Blue topaz is a rare gemstone often confused with aquamarine, but they differ in many ways. However, the rich blue color of blue topaz changes to greenish-blue or violet as it ages.
Blue topaz is a versatile gemstone that looks great in all types of jewelry— from rings to necklaces. The blue color stands out best when used on white metal jewelry.
Physical Properties of Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is most popular for its high hardness of 8 on the Mohs Scale. Diamond, corundum, moissanite, and chrysoberyl are among a handful of materials harder than topaz. Interestingly, blue topaz is the hardest known silicate material.
Blue topaz’s hardness makes it resistant to scratching; however, it is a fragile stone that chips and breaks easily. Blue topaz’s fragility is caused by the vitreous fracture surfaces that run perpendicular to its axis.
Treated vs Natural Blue Topaz
Blue topaz only became popular in jewelry after 1970; before then, different variations of yellow topaz were more common. Scarcity and high prices negatively affected the popularity of natural blue topaz, and most blue topaz sold today is treated.
Treated blue topaz is the result of exposing colorless topaz to high-energy electron or gamma radiation. The treatment procedures have varied slightly, creating different types of blue topaz. Treated blue topaz is ideal for jewelry for the following reasons:
- The raw material for treated blue topaz— colorless topaz— is very common. Therefore, jewelers can create cheap gemstones en masse.
- Lab-made gemstones produce consistent results; therefore, jewelers can determine the finished product’s look.
Is Treated Blue Topaz Safe?
Yes, treated blue topaz is safe since manufacturers must store it in a secure facility after its treatment. This waiting period allows the activation products to decay and harmful radiation levels to drop. Manufacturers must monitor the gemstone until it’s safe for sale and jewelry use.
The Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) ensures that all blue topaz complies with safety standards in the United States. All blue topaz manufacturers must be NRC-licensed to operate in the US; however, other countries do not have such safety measures.
Types of Blue Topaz
While jewelers can make any variation of blue topaz they desire, the two most popular variants are Swiss and London blue topaz.
1. Swiss Blue Topaz
Swiss blue topaz is usually a light sky blue color, although slight variations in shades exist. This type of blue topaz is prevalent because of its strong resemblance to aquamarine stones. Brazil, Germany, and Siberia produce the best Swiss blue topaz.
2. London Blue Topaz
London blue topaz is the more popular variant of blue topaz. It is darker than Swiss blue topaz and slightly more expensive than it; however, it is still relatively cheap.
Significance of Blue Topaz
Blue topaz is well-known as December’s birthstone, and this status is one of the reasons for its popularity.
People have ascribed different spiritual meanings to blue topaz; some common ones are:
- It is associated with the throat chakra, which is linked to speech and communication.
- Because of its blue color, it’s symbolic of Jupiter, a planet that governs the mind and imagination.
- Some believe that blue topaz stones can help you understand aquatic creatures better.
Value of Blue Topaz
Blue topaz used to be valued between $20 and $40 per carat; however, mass production has caused a significant price drop. Nowadays, you can get some blue topaz stones at under $1 per carat, although the average prices are between $3 and $5 per carat.
Natural blue topaz is scarce and costs hundreds of dollars for a carat. Watch out for scammers who try to sell natural blue topaz at meager prices.
Treatment And Care Of Blue Topaz Jewelry
Below are some tips to clean and keep your blue topaz jewelry looking great.
- Avoid soaking in water, as this can cause the stone to become cloudy and lose its luster.
- Exposing blue topaz to UV light, heat, sunlight, and abrupt temperature fluctuations can damage its color.
- Do not wear your blue topaz for extended periods (e.g., sleep) or during physical activity (e.g., exercise).
- Do not clean blue topaz with a steamer or ultrasonic cleaner since it breaks easily.
Reasons To Choose A Blue Topaz Engagement Ring
Blue topaz stones are more affordable than many other gemstones, and you can find them in various colors. They’re also durable and easy to care for if you want to keep your stone looking good as new.
In addition, these stones have lots of color variations that make them stunningly beautiful. They look great on their own or paired with other colors like diamonds or sapphires. Finally, blue topaz is popular and easy to buy, even in low-end jewelry stores and online.