Crystal Clear London Blue Topaz

What is London Blue Topaz?

London Blue Topaz is distinguished by its specific medium blue color. It is darker than aquamarine or Swiss Blue Topaz but lighter than typical blue sapphires. Composed of fluorinated aluminum silicate, Topaz has a Mohs hardness rating of 8, making it more durable than quartz, though not as tough as corundum or diamonds. This gemstone often occurs alongside quartz crystals.

London Blue Color & Treatment

Natural blue topaz exists but is quite rare and light in hue. Generally, London Blue Topaz is derived from brown or colorless material, subsequently irradiated and heat-treated to achieve its deep blue shade. This alteration is permanent, ensuring the color remains vibrant over time. While irradiation is less frequent, most gemstones today undergo heat treatment, which also enhances clarity. At Artful Bracelets, we exclusively offer mined topaz that has been treated, avoiding synthetic variants.

Gemstone Clarity

After cutting, a gemstone is assigned a clarity grade before being set into jewelry. Heat-treated or irradiated topaz often attains higher clarity grades, elevating its value. Most topaz is already “eye clean,” classified by the GIA as a “type 1” gemstone.

There are four primary clarity grades for natural topaz: AAAA, AAA, AA, and B. The highest grade, AAAA, represents vibrant color and minimal inclusions, often invisible under magnification. Despite London Blue Topaz being an enhanced color, the AAA grade signifies exceptional quality. Lower grades, such as AA or B, exhibit more noticeable inclusions and muted colors. At Artful Bracelets, our London Blue Topaz rings feature AAA-grade stones.

How Cut Influences Clarity

Gemstones undergo cutting and polishing before being set into jewelry. While size affects price, clarity is crucial. Rough topaz is cut to eliminate most inclusions, optimizing its clarity grade.

Expert gem cutters can effectively minimize waste while enhancing the gem’s quality. The clarity assessment is done on the polished gem, not the rough stone. Various cuts can achieve these results based on the desired shape:

Step Cuts:

Featuring rectangular and square facets, step cuts create a “hall of mirrors” effect, enhancing color but less sparkle. Common step cuts include the emerald cut, asscher cut (square), and baguette (thin rectangle).

Brilliant Cuts:

Brilliant cuts are characterized by numerous facets that enhance the gemstone’s brilliance. Popular shapes include round, oval, marquise (pointed oval), pear, princess (square), and heart cuts.

Cabochons:

Chosen typically for topaz with visible inclusions but rich color, cabochons are round or oval with smooth tops, often hiding imperfections and showcasing the deep blue hue beautifully.

Types of Inclusions

Inclusions in London Blue Topaz are less common in faceted stones but present in rough forms. Typical inclusions include:

Crystals:

Topaz crystals might encase other mineral types during formation, appearing as tiny specks or larger crystals.

Needles:

Thin, fiber-like inclusions resembling needles are another form of crystal inclusions.

Twinning:

Large topaz crystals growing together create twinning, appearing as parallel cracks where the crystals meet.

Cleavage Fault:

Topaz is brittle, prone to cleavage faults or cracks, not foreign objects within the stone.

London Blue Topaz at Artful Bracelets

Our store offers a variety of London Blue Topaz rings in white gold, with prices ranging from $400 to $2,000. Available in yellow, rose, or white gold settings, we also provide custom designs if required. For inquiries, contact us at 206-623-5339 or via email at service@artfulbracelets.com. Our Live Chat is operational during business hours, Monday – Friday, 10 AM – 6 PM ET.