Blue topaz is one of the most popular blue gems that is actually accessible to the general population. This pretty stone can be found in many types of jewelry, and engagement rings are no different. Most often they’re paired with other beautiful gems and together they make quite a striking piece.
So let’s see what a blue topaz engagement ring means. Maybe it’s your engagement ring, or the one you’re planning to propose with. After all, this kind of ring has a lot of meaning sentimental value. It’s only fair to want to know more about the stone you put your hopes in.
Blue topaz engagement ring meaning
Blue topaz brings peace, harmony, and healing into a person’s life, so an engagement ring with blue topaz signifies you two are ready to build a healing space to grow your love and life. Blue topaz also aids calm communication, so arguments should be easy to handle and smooth over.
The healing and protective power of topaz has been around for thousands of years, regardless of the color of the stone. This gem is ancient, and even the ancient Romans carried topaz with them for protection during travel, or to ward off curses.
Topaz is the birthstone for November
Another special meaning for topaz, blue or other color, is that it’s the dedicated birthstone for the month of November. If you or whomever you are proposing to have strong ties to November, this gem in the engagement ring will become even more meaningful.
Many people believe the power of a gemstone becomes stronger if worn by a person wearing it as their birthstone. Take this into account when you decide whether to get a blue topaz engagement ring or not.
Read also: How To Choose An Engagement Ring (What To Know)
Is blue topaz good for an engagement ring ?
Yes, blue topaz is very good for an engagement ring as its color does not fade in the sunlight, and it can easily be worn every day. It has a Mohs scale rating of 8, which makes it resistant to most scratches and chips.
Topaz is also safe to wear in the water, such as the shower or pool. It might still be a good idea to remove your jewelry before entering the water anyway, especially if the stone is large or the jewelry is very chunky.
London vs Swiss blue topaz
London and Swiss blue topaz are the two main blue colors of topaz, and you’re likely wondering which is best for your engagement ring. Where Swiss blue is the bright, electric blue we’ve come to expect form topaz, London blue offers an inky, darker blue with a medium saturation. This makes London blue a bit more mysterious compared to regular (Swiss) blue topaz.
An interesting point about London blue, it can hid any flaws or imperfections within the gem easier than Swiss. This is because the color is so dark any impurities may blend in. Of course, topaz usually has no visible inclusions, but it’s still something to take into consideration.
Please keep in mind that the right cut can enhance the color of your blue topaz, regardless of the exact shade of blue. These are usually step cuts.
Does topaz have other colors ?
Yes, topaz comes in many other colors, the most common being the yellow-orange-brown range, and colorless. Red and pink hued topaz is much more rare, and blue topaz is extremely rare in nature, instead it’s often produced via heat and/or radiation treatment.
Most topaz gemstones on the market are blue, in varying shades and tones, from light to dark and from muted to saturated. You can find the other colors of topaz at your local jeweler, but you may have to ask for a specific color. Blue has been the default color for topaz since the late ’70s.
Is blue topaz expensive ?
Blue topaz is not an expensive gemstone, as you can find 2 carat faceted loose gems for under $20, or about 10$ per carat. The larger the stone the higher the price, but it does not rise as dramatically as a sapphire or diamond. This means you can easily get a very large gem, say 14-18 ct, set it in 14k white gold, and still not go over $500.
Keep in mind that Swiss or regular blue topaz is more affordable than London blue topaz, which usually runs at double the price. And any other precious stones you add, the price goes up. Topaz and diamonds or moissanite are a common combination, and it’s always more expensive that just topaz.
This is because topaz is easily available and the blue color is the result of various treatments applied to the stone. Treated and synthetic stones are always more affordable than natural, untreated stones. Keep in mind that any other precious stone you add, the price goes up. Topaz and diamonds or moissanite are a common combination, and it’s always more expensive that just topaz.
For some this is good news, for some it can be bad news. If you’re looking to get a beautiful engagement ring on a budget then blue topaz is THE gemstone to get. There are other colors you can choose from.
Blue topaz alternatives
If you’d like your engagement ring to have a bit more prestige, or simply want to spend more on it, then here are a few alternatives for blue topaz that might suit your needs.
Aquamarine for a light blue
Aquamarine is a perfect substitute for blue topaz, and it comes with perfect clarity, with no visible inclusions. It ranges in color from a very light icy blue to a darker one, almost as dark as London blue. This makes it great for either version of blue topaz you’re looking to substitute.
Blue and paraiba tourmaline
Tourmaline is a bit more affordable than aquamarine, but more expensive than topaz. It comes in lighter shades of blue but in two main hues: electric, nearly neon blue (paraiba) and regular blue tourmaline, which is halfway between London and Swiss blue.
Blue garnet
There are a few versions of blue garnet, including some that are closer to London blue than Swiss blue, There isn’t really a light blue garnet that can double as a Swiss blue, but if you’re looking for a London version you can find one.
What to know when buying blue topaz gems
When you’re off to find blue topaz, or topaz in general, there are a few things you should be aware of, so you don’t get duped and so you know what you’re buying. This way you know what to expect from your gemstone in terms of color, clarity, price, and overall effect.
All blue topaz gems are treated to get a beautiful blue color
If you’re looking for blue topaz, you should know what nearly all blue topaz sold on the market is heat and radiation treated. It starts out as clear topaz, and after treatment it is kept in a safe box, until the radiation levels drop enough for it to be safe to use.
Of course there are other colors you can get for topaz, but blue is the most common and the only your jeweler is most likely to carry.
Most topaz is type I, meaning it’s naturally eye-clean
Nearly all topaz is naturally clear, so you won’t normally see any imperfections in a topaz stone. The clearest are the clear (white) topaz, the blue (derived form clear), and the yellow-orange topaz.
Because of this you can easily get a beautiful both in a brilliant and step cut fashion, depending on what ring style you’re going for.
Red and imperial topaz will always be more expensive
While blue topaz is the most common on the market, it’s not the most expensive. If you want expensive, ask for red or imperial topaz. Red topaz is extremely rare in nature, and imperial topaz manages a beautiful cross between gold, orange, and pink-red flashes. It’s the prettiest topaz color, and the most expensive ever. So expensive it can easily reach $1000 per carat !
Topaz commonly comes in elongated step cuts
You can get topaz in many, many cut styles and shapes. But the most common ones are step cuts, especially baguette and emerald cut. This is because of two reasons.
First, topaz is exceptionally clear and a step cut is meant to showcase a gemstone’s clarity and color, rather than its brilliance and fire.
And second, topaz naturally grows in an elongated gemstone shape, much like an amethyst or emerald. This means a step cut will lose as little material as possible, since it’s closer to the gem’s original growth shape than any brilliant cut.
I’m the main author for jewelrymaterialguide.com. I started this site after we did tons of research before our wedding and noticed that there is information about rings, jewelry, and so on that is really hard to find on the internet.
