Topaz is an ideal gem for jewelry. With a wide range of colors to choose from, it's easy to find the perfect gemstone that fits your needs. Besides its wide color selection, you can polish the gem to get the perfect ring stone. It also doubles as a birthstone for two months: blue for December and yellow for November, making it extra sentimental as a jewelry piece. Consider these topaz stones for your next ornament.

1. Blue Topaz

Initially, moderately-priced topaz stones were primarily yellow and brown. Natural blue topaz stones were not only rare, but also expensive. However, it’s easier to find blue topaz stones today thanks to gem treatment. All you have to do is heat colorless topaz after gamma or electron radiation. You could also alter treatment procedures to get different shades. Even so, two blue varieties remain dominant. Swiss Blue topaz stones come in light tones and bright to moderate saturation. On the other hand, London Blue has a dark tone and dark to moderate saturation.

2. Azotic Topaz

Azotic treatment involves coating colorless gems with chemicals to achieve the desired hue. Coating chemicals don’t affect topaz stones thanks to their inertness and hardness (8 Mohs ranking). Moreover, Azotic enhancement is free of radiation and harsh substances. This is in addition to the durability of the microscopic layer.

Not saying you should be careless with your topaz stones. To prevent scratches, keep the stone away from other gems. A soft cloth, mild dishwashing detergent, and warm water will do when it comes to cleaning. The coat may not react to chemicals, but the underlying stone is still topaz despite advanced treatment procedures.  

3. Imperial Topaz

Also called Precious or Golden topaz, this stone derives its name from Brazilian leader Dom Pedro. Some legends also connect it to Imperial Russia, with Brazilian topaz stones decorating tsarinas’ jewelry. With its yellow to orange hues, Imperial topaz looks glamorous at any time of the day.

Since it displays pink shades in candlelight, you can also rock the gem at night. Because of its connection with the solar plexus chakra, Imperial topaz activates willpower, pushing you to get things done. You can also use it to gain perspective and overcome fatigue.

4. Mystic Topaz

You can obtain this stone through chemical vapor diposition which involves coating natural topaz with titanium mist. You can also apply the procedure to quartz to obtain mystic quartz. Although topaz stones are durable, mystic varieties require extra care because of their thin titanium coating. You risk scratches if you store your stone with sharp or hard objects.

Since they have perfect cleavage, set and wear the gem carefully. Cleavage represents the stone’s tendency to break along natural fault lines. Though you can pair the stone with copper, rose gold, and gold, silver is mainly preferred due to its neutrality. What’s more, designers prefer bezel and halo settings to protect the gem from abrasion.

Quality Considerations

Knowing topaz varieties isn’t enough; you need to check the stone’s authenticity and durability before purchase. Start by looking for inclusions like crystals, fractures, and voids. Although some flaws are visible, they don’t affect the stone’s value since most topazes have Type II clarity. However, inclusions decrease imperial, colorless, and blue topaz values because of their Type I clarity rating. Cut also comes into play as poor cuts reveal windowing and extinction. 

If you're looking to sell a topaz stone or jewelry piece, Ralph Mueller & Associates is your place. Our GIA-certified gemologists are experts in all things topaz. Contact us today to learn more.