Blue Topaz Ring Guide

Whether you're looking for engagement proposal wedding rings or simply something nice for yourself, buying a piece of fine jewelry can be daunting. There are so many options out there, from the very plain to the super fancy, that most of us are limited only by our imagination or budget.

Engagement Ring Options

Especially when it's a London blue topaz engagement ring that you want, there are many options available. Choose something with a single stone and a plain band. Or, consider a blue topaz and diamond ring, which showcases the blue of the topaz and the whiteness of the diamonds.

Blue topaz is popular for a number of reasons. First of all, they are inexpensive relative to diamonds, offering you the opportunity to enjoy a larger stone at prices you can afford. Second, there are some ladies who don't like diamond rings, even to celebrate their engagement. It could be that the blue gemstone highlights her captivating blue eyes, or she could be someone whose favorite color is blue. Also, blue topaz is known by some to be a healing stone, or as one that increases strength and intellect. November babies enjoy topaz too!

Blue Topaz Origins and Colors

Blue Topaz Origins

Topaz is an aluminum silicate with the chemical composition of Al2SiO4(F,OH)2. Formed as crystals in igneous rocks, topaz can be found in a variety of locations around the world. These include Pakistan, Myanmar, the USA, and Brazil. In nature, blue topaz is one of the rarest, and it is primarily found in a small area of Brazil. Most blue topaz, therefore, is treated from brown or clear stones.

Blue Topaz Colors

Color-wise, we talk about three shades of treated blue topaz. These are London Blue, Sky Blue, and Swiss Blue. London Blue is the darkest, with grey or brown undertones. Swiss Blue is more like a robin's egg and can best be described as “medium” depth. Sky Blue is descriptive, with a light blue color like the sky on a clear summer day. Generally, if you are thinking about gemstone engagement rings, a blue gemstone is fairly popular. Many brides choose a sapphire, but others, like Jessica Simpson, select their birthstone.

Topaz Ring Pricing

Like all gemstones, topaz value is determined based on the 4Cs. These are carat, color, clarity, and cut.

Carat

Carat is the weight of the stone. For topaz gemstone rings, you might pay more per carat or not depending on the color. For instance, the difference is minimal for blue stones, while more valuable colors (red) might see a large difference in price per carat weight as the stone gets bigger.

Color

Color is another factor that influences the price of topaz. The cheapest tend to be brown, yellow, and white. Next up is the various shades of blue, with Swiss and London Blue being a bit more valuable than Sky Blue. However, Imperial Topaz (as shown below), a fiery red-orange variety, is the most expensive.

Clarity

Clarity is the next factor. Topaz often comes in eye-clean crystals, which means that you can't see any inclusions. And, topaz of this level of clarity is the most valuable, because consumers tend to demand the clearest topaz they can afford.

Cut

Cut is the last of the Cs. For the sake of valuation, you want a good quality cut: the facets are sparkling for faceted stones, and the top is glossy for cabochons. We have found that the most common stones chosen for a blue topaz gold ring are round, princess, or oval shaped.

Round Cuts

Round cuts are just what you think they are: round with facets. Ovals are a modification with an oval shape. Finally, princess cut blue topaz rings showcase a square stone with sharp corners. Although they're less popular, the emerald cut blue topaz ring is also a classic.

Other Considerations: Metal

All That Glitters is Gold

Once you've decided on blue topaz as your center stone, it's time to think about the metal. At With Clarity, we offer 14k gold in three colors: white, yellow, and rose. 14 karat gold is less expensive, but it's also harder and more durable. 18 karat gold is softer (due to more gold content), but it does contain a higher gold content. Did you know, gold is a soft metal, and adding more of another metal to the mix is actually beneficial?

White Gold

For white gold, metals such as nickel and palladium are added. 14k white gold is a beautiful choice for that blue topaz and white gold ring but be know that the 14K variety can be irritating to those with allergies.

Rose Gold

On the other hand, blue topaz rings rose gold are stunning. Would you like something that's both unique and trendy? Think about rose gold, which contrasts beautifully with the cool blue color of topaz.

Platinum

Lastly, if you want something really durable, think about platinum. This isn't the option to pick if you want gemstone rings cheap, though: platinum is more expensive, and harder to work with, than gold. On the other hand, a platinum setting can last for a lifetime with minimal maintenance.

Other Considerations: Care

While topaz has a hardness of 8, it isn't as hard as diamonds or even sapphires. Besides being softer than some other options, topaz has something called strong pleochroism. This means that it can split easily, forming cracks and chips in the stone.

We recommend the following:

• Soak it in warm soapy water for a while, then use a toothbrush to remove dirt and oils. Rinse off and dry.
• Never use an ultrasonic cleaner, as it can cause the rock to split.
• When wearing: avoid steam and sudden temperature changes.