Education
Diamond Education
- Diamond 4 C's
- Diamond Buying Guide
- Answers to 1 Carat Diamond Questions
- Your Guide to Buying a Diamond Online
- How to Pick the Right Diamond
- Diamond Buying Mistakes
- Real vs. Fake Diamonds
- Lab Diamond Buying Guide
- 10 Most FAQ - Diamonds
- Off Size Diamonds Guide
- Popular Diamond Cuts
- Price of a 2 Carat Diamond
- Top FAQ - Lab Diamonds
- What Is the Average Diamond Size in Engagement Rings?
- Diamond Carat
- Diamond Clarity
- IF Diamonds
- FL Diamonds
- Diamond Inclusions Guide
- Flawless vs Internally Flawless
- Which Diamond Clarity Is Best?
- VS2 vs VS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VVS2 vs VVS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI2 vs SI1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI1 vs VS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VS1 vs VVS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- Accent Diamond Clarity
- Lab Diamond Clarity
- SI Diamonds
- VS Diamonds
- VVS Diamonds
- Diamond Color
- Diamond Cut
- Diamond Cut Types
- Ideal Cut Diamonds
- Hearts and Arrows Diamonds
- What is Diamond Depth
- Diamond Table
- Lab Diamond Cut
- Antique Cut Diamonds
- Brilliant Cut Diamonds
- Rose Cut Diamonds
- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
- Diamond Bow Ties
- How Are Diamonds Cut
- Diamond Brilliance
- Spread Diamonds
- Diamond Fire
- Crushed Ice Diamonds
- Diamond Shape
- Lab Diamond Shape
- Asscher
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Marquise
- Oval
- Pear
- Princess
- Radiant
- Round
- Which Diamond Cut Is Best?
- Round vs Princess Diamond Cut
- Round vs Cushion Diamond Cut
- Cushion vs Princess Diamonds
- Cushion vs Oval Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Asscher Cut Diamond
- Princess vs Marquis Diamonds
- Princess vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Cushion vs Asscher Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Radiant Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Oval vs Pear Cut Diamonds
- Pear vs Marquise Cut Diamonds
- Emerald vs Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds
- Diamond Certification
- Diamond Fluorescence
- How Diamonds Are Formed
- Diamond Pricing
- Diamond Size Chart Carat & MM
- Diamond Symmetry
- Diamond Polish
- Diamond Girdle
- Diamond Culet
- Engraved Rings
- Fancy Colored Diamonds
- Loose Diamonds
- History Of Lab Grown Diamonds
- Natural vs Synthetic Diamonds
- Diamond Sourcing
- NY Diamond District
- Diamond Certification
Engagement Ring Education
- How To Buy Engagement Rings
- Affordable Engagement Rings
- Cost of a One Carat Diamond
- How To Buy A Lab Diamond Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring In a Time Crunch
- How to Choose An Engagement Ring
- How to Pick Your Engagement Ring Budget
- Engagement Rings For Second Marriage
- Best Time to Buy An Engagement Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring As a Couple
- Everything You Need to Know About Dainty Engagement Rings
- Future Mother In Law's Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
- Engagement Ring Financing
- Why You Need an Engagement Ring Appraisal
- Best Round Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Square Cut Engagement Ring
- Top Teardrop Engagement Rings
- Best Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Oval Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
- Twisting Rings
- Best Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Dainty Engagement Rings
- Best Unique Engagement Rings
- Best Traditional Diamond Engagement Rings
- Best Split Shank Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
- Top 10 Unusual Engagement Rings
- Black Diamond Engagement Rings
- Edwardian Engagement Rings
- Antique Style Engagement Rings
- Nature Inspired Engagement Ring
- Filigree Rings
- Art Deco Rings
- Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Infinity Engagement Rings
- Best Two Tone Diamond Engagement Rings
- Victorian Style Engagement Rings
- Minimalistic Engagement Rings
- Big Style Engagement Rings
- Cute Style Engagement Rings
- Modern Style Engagement Rings
- Past Present and Future Rings
- Thin Engagement Rings
- Pretty Style Engagement Rings
- Double Band Engagement Rings
- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Round Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
- Top Pave Engagement Rings
- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Unique Halo Engagement Rings
- Rose Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Marquise Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Bypass Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Princess Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Simple Engagement Rings
- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
- Types of Accent Diamonds
- Everything You Need to Know Before Setting Diamonds
- Engagement Ring Prong Guide
- All About Ring Resizing
- Identifying Your Ring After A Repair
- Everything You Need to Know About Milgrain
- Everything You Need to Know About Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Eternity Rings vs Infinity Rings
- When To Propose
- What Are Baguette Diamond Engagement Rings
- What to Say When You Propose
- What Are the Groom's Parents Responsible For?
Gemstone Education
Jewelry Education
- Jewelry Buying Guide
- How To Buy Jewelry Online
- Diamond: 10th Anniversary Gifts
- Ruby: 40th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Sapphire: 5th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Sapphire Earrings
- Emerald: 20th Anniversary Gemstone & Jewelry
- Top 10 Push Presents
- How To Shop For Christmas Jewelry Gifts
- How To Buy An Anniversary Band
Metal Education
Topaz Grading
Blue Topaz Guide
Chances are that if you’re into blue gemstones, the London Blue Topaz is one of your favorites. After all, they’re a lovely steel blue that compliments many skin tones. However, not all London Blue Topaz is created equal. Differences in color and clarity, in particular, detract from its value. This quick guide will show you what to look for in London Blue Topaz jewelry.
London Blue Topaz Meaning
Because London Blue Topaz is nonexistent in nature, its traditional meaning is derived from two sources: Sky Blue Topaz (the only “natural” blue and rare), and topaz in general. Because of its color, London Blue Topaz is very calming. It helps calm nerves, and heal harsh emotions. According to the Vedas, blue topaz is a meditation aid.
Topaz is one of the birthstones for November, a distinction it shares with citrine. This competition has to do with the fact that many topazes are yellow. However, in recent times blue topaz has been used as an alternative. Blue Topaz is a soothing calm blue that is similar to Aquamarine. However, there is a visual difference in the hue of blue of aquamarine and blue topaz.
Topaz Grading Criteria
Like all gemstones, London Blue Topaz comes in a variety of grades. A bird’s eye view will show you that topaz grading (and value) is primarily based on three criteria: color, clarity, and cut. Topaz is an abundant gemstone, so there is no “premium” on stones of higher carat. In other words, a two carat gem costs only twice as much as the one-carat gem of the same quality.
Color
For London Blue Topaz, the color is most important. That’s because “London Blue” is a specific shade of blue topaz, and it’s fairly narrowly defined. London Blue is a medium or dark grey blue. It isn’t what people call “sky” blue, nor is it “Swiss” blue. Sky Blue is the one natural blue color of topaz, and it’s very light, almost pastel. Likewise, Swiss Blue is more of a medium blue, but without the grey. Color-wise, it’s more like aquamarine. Swiss blue is less popular, and less expensive. The natural “sky” blue is more expensive. What’s most important about London Blue, is the grey tone in the blue. Some stones do reflect a slight green tinge, which detracts from the value. Lastly, you want the London blue color to be saturated, without lighter spots or a pale steel grey.

Clarity
One of the side effects of London Blue Topaz treatment is that it reduces the appearance of inclusions. This is true both because of the irradiation (darker color masks inclusions) and later heat treatment that’s required to produce the blue color (and removes inclusions). Any treatment performed on the London Blue Topaz is permanent, and enhances the beauty of the gemstone forever. Treatments are done for the vast majority of gemstones that are used to craft jewelry.
Simply defined, inclusions are anything that makes the gemstone look less transparent. They could look like specks, cracks, or feathers, for instance. According to the GIA, faceted London Blue Topaz is usually free of inclusions, but they do exist in rough crystals. Here are some examples.
Crystals:
Just what they sound like: smaller mineral crystals that got trapped in the topaz crystal as it grew.

Needles:
This is a type of crystal, but it is long and thin. So named because it looks like a needle.

Cleavage breaks:
Like diamonds, topaz breaks easily along its “grain.” When this happens in part, you can see a cleavage break without the crystal falling apart.
Feathers:
Basically, these are stress cracks in the crystal which look like feathers. Other inclusions can happen in topaz, but they’re less common.

Cut
Unlike diamonds and sapphires, the cut of a London Blue Topaz doesn’t make a lot of difference except in one area: if the facets are poorly crafted, or the gem isn’t polished to a brilliant shine, it’s going to be less expensive. Cabochons require less labor to produce, and might be a little cheaper than faceted gems. However, if the cut is well executed, the actual cutting technique or shape has little impact. Here are some common cuts.
Step Cuts:
These are cuts where the facets are few, and they are placed along parallel lines. The most famous and popular London Blue Topaz cut is the emerald. A rectangular stone, emerald cuts are often chosen for a London Blue Topaz engagement ring. Other step cuts include the asscher and baguette.

Brilliant Cuts:
Intended to bring out the most brilliance, these cuts are generally kite or triangle shaped. Brilliant faceting allows for curved surfaces, unlike step cuts. As a round stone, round brilliants are the most popular choice in London Blue Topaz rose gold ring. Together, the pink and blue produce a lovely contrast. Oval, marquise, pear and heart shaped stones are also made with brilliant cuts.

Cabochon:
For a London Blue Topaz with lower clarity ratings, the cabochon cutting style is ideal. These are usually round or oval shaped, with a domed top and high polish. Essentially, the idea is to showcase the color of the gemstone, while making any inclusions part of the work of art. Used for London Blue Topaz ring sterling silver, the cabochon is a great low-cost way to get some bling.

London Blue Topaz Grades
Finally, what grading system is used for London Blue Topaz? Unfortunately, there isn’t an “official” scale, but most scales go from AAAA down to AA or even B. Keep in mind that the “ideal” London Blue Topaz has a deep blue-grey color, inclusions that are hard to see under magnification (if any) and are cut competently.
AAAA
At the top, a AAAA topaz is one that has ideal specifications, but hasn’t been treated. In other words, this grade doesn’t exist in London Blue. Instead it describes Imperial and other natural colors.
AAA
AAA is next: premium grade of topaz, making all the ideal specifications. However, in this case treatment is allowed. The finest London Blue Topaz fits in the AAA grade. With Clarity uses only AAA graded London Blue Topaz.
AA
Next is AA. For these stones, the color might be less intense, or there might be inclusions which are easy to see under magnification. Grades AAAA through AA are often faceted.
B
One more grade, B, is not. These are the stones chosen for cabochons, because they aren’t eye clean. Since London Blue Topaz is plentiful, there’s no reason to facet low grade material.

At With Clarity, we only make AAA grade London Blue Topaz jewelry. If you have any questions, give us a call. Contact us by phone at 1(844)-234-6463 or email at [email protected]. Our Live Chat is available during business hours Monday - Friday 10AM - 6PM ET.