Origins of Blue Topaz

Pear Faceted Swiss Blue Topaz GemstoneBlue Topaz can be found in sky blue, greenish blue, or an "electric" blue. Whatever it's color, Blue Topaz is a popular gemstone and not only makes beautiful jewelry, but also has a variety of interesting legends.

Blue Topaz is a quartz crystal, and like most topazes, starts out as being nearly clear. The clear quartz crystals are irradiated to draw out the blue hues, then heat treated to seal in the color. The color depends on which type of radiation is used.

Exposing the topaz crystals to neutrons in a nuclear accelerator transforms the color into a deep bluish-green or bluish-gray color commonly referred to as London Blue Topaz. Exposing the topaz crystals to electrons in a linear accelerator produces the most common color of Blue Topaz - Sky Blue Topaz. To produce Swiss Blue or Electric Blue Topaz, the quartz is bathed in a combination of both kinds of radiation. After a one year cooling off period, the radiation levels are safe enough to allow the Topaz to be worn by consumers.

Most blue topaz has a modest value, so there's little incentive for gemologists to create synthetic versions of the gem. Instead, they use various vapor or diffusion coatings (mainly titanium) to create the "mystic" Blue Topaz, a version that sparkles with red, sea green and teal colors. Unfortunately, this treatment isn't permanent, and the coating is extremely fragile, so the stones must be handled very gently.

Even though Blue Topaz has a very unusual production technique, it performs wonderfully as a gemstone because it polishes up beatifully and has a very high refractive index. Blue Topaz makes a great durable gemstone, since it has a Moh's Scale of 8.

Blue Topaz is said to aid in the regulation of the heart, promotes glandular health, reduces fever and inflammations such as arthritis. On the other hand, the color of Blue Topaz is said to aid in meditation, discernment, and forgiveness. The calming effect of its blue color is believed to help its wearers let go of their anger and fosters forgiveness and reconciliation that leads a calmer and more fulfilling life.

ZESTY PICK 9x7mm OVAL MYSTIC TOPAZ MANGO MAGIC variety
ZESTY PICK 9x7mm OVAL MYSTIC TOPAZ MANGO MAGIC variety
Paypal   US $9.25
SEASCAPE 7mm TRILLIANT NEPTUNE GARDEN MYSTIC TOPAZ
SEASCAPE 7mm TRILLIANT NEPTUNE GARDEN MYSTIC TOPAZ
Paypal   US $7.10
2685 CARATS CONCAVE CUT RAINBOW MYSTIC TOPAZ 19x188mm LOOSE NATURAL GEMSTONE
2685 CARATS CONCAVE CUT RAINBOW MYSTIC TOPAZ 19x188mm LOOSE NATURAL GEMSTONE
Paypal   US $23.99
3 CARATS ROUND CHECKERBOARD IMPERIAL MYSTIC TOPAZ 10 mm LOOSE NATURAL GEMSTONE
3 CARATS ROUND CHECKERBOARD IMPERIAL MYSTIC TOPAZ 10 mm LOOSE NATURAL GEMSTONE
Paypal   US $8.99
Vibrant Natural Mystic Topaz Loose Gemstone 9x7mm Oval Jewelry Television
Vibrant Natural Mystic Topaz Loose Gemstone 9x7mm Oval Jewelry Television
Paypal   US $27.98
22mm ROUND CONCAVE GENUINE BRIGHT MYSTIC TOPAZ 35 CTS
22mm ROUND CONCAVE GENUINE BRIGHT MYSTIC TOPAZ 35 CTS
Paypal   US $65.00
11x9mm OVAL SUNSET GENUINE MYSTIC TOPAZ 301 CTS
11x9mm OVAL SUNSET GENUINE MYSTIC TOPAZ 301 CTS
Paypal   US $15.00
Pink Mystic Topaz 9x7mm Oval 208Ct Natural Gemstone
Pink Mystic Topaz 9x7mm Oval 208Ct Natural Gemstone
Paypal   US $16.79
DOUBLE TIME 14x10mm EMERALD CUT OCTAGON MYSTIC TOPAZ BI COLOR 892ctw
DOUBLE TIME 14x10mm EMERALD CUT OCTAGON MYSTIC TOPAZ BI COLOR 892ctw
Paypal   US $50.00
SEASCAPE 6mm TRILLIANT MYSTIC TOPAZ NEPTUNE GARDEN variety
SEASCAPE 6mm TRILLIANT MYSTIC TOPAZ NEPTUNE GARDEN variety
Paypal   US $5.49
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Brilliant Cut Emerald

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The definition of “Emerald” varies depending on the user. Typically, at gem shows and retail stores, most Beryl that looks more or less green is typically labeled as an Emerald. However, most gem dealers feel that light green stones should be referred to as “Green Beryl” and only the darker green stones should be called “Emerald.” American gemologists feel that Beryl colored by Vandadium can be classified as an Emerald, but European mineralogists tend to believe that true Emeralds must be colored by Chromium.

In reference to pricing, the definition of “Emerald” is irrelevant. If a one-carat Beryl has a saturated green color and is transparent and eye-clean, it can be worth over $6,000 retail. Transparency is everything. If a Beryl is light green and has poor transparency, it usually isn’t worth much, no matter how it’s labeled. Low-grade Emeralds or Beryl can sell for a little as $10 per carat, and can be flawed with inclusions and cracks, especially if it has a deep green color. Nevertheless, clarity and transparency play a major role in Emerald pricing.

Almost as much as 50 percent of the world’s Emeralds are mined in Columbia, with the mines of Chivor, Muzo, and Coscuez producing the bulk. Other Emerald sources include northern Zambia, Bahaia, Brazil, Afghanistan, and North Carolina in the US.

COLOMBIA EMERALD CUT 164 CTS
COLOMBIA EMERALD CUT 164 CTS
Paypal   US $697.00
1636 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
1636 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
Paypal   US $208.25
1514 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
1514 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
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1472 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
1472 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
Paypal   US $187.00
1438 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
1438 cts Natural Colombian Emerald
Paypal   US $182.75
1328 cts Natural Colombian Emerald Pear
1328 cts Natural Colombian Emerald Pear
Paypal   US $2,257.60
191 cts Natural Colombian Emerald Cut
191 cts Natural Colombian Emerald Cut
Paypal   US $324.70
35 Oz 9922 grams 4961 carat Natural Brazilian Emerald Rough
35 Oz 9922 grams 4961 carat Natural Brazilian Emerald Rough
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1 LARGE NATURAL 1038CTCOLUMBIAN EMERALD CUT EMERALD 14x12X7mmSOLD IN THE US
1 LARGE NATURAL 1038CTCOLUMBIAN EMERALD CUT EMERALD 14x12X7mmSOLD IN THE US
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113 CTS NATURAL COLOMBIAN EMERALD PEAR
113 CTS NATURAL COLOMBIAN EMERALD PEAR
Paypal   US $480.25
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