Blue Topaz is a mesmerising gemstone that offers beauty, affordability, and versatility. Whether you’re captivated by the icy lightness of Sky Blue, the vibrant intensity of Swiss Blue, or the deep richness of London Blue, there’s a perfect shade for every jewellery lover. In this guide we cover the origins of Blue Topaz, it's value, it's colours and best settings. So let's dive in!
Swiss Blue, London Blue, Sky Blue – What's the Difference and Why the Colour? 💎
Blue Topaz comes in three primary shades: Sky Blue, Swiss Blue, and London Blue. Each variety differs in tone, saturation, and the process it undergoes to achieve its signature colour. Blue Topaz belongs to the Topaz family, which is a silicate mineral of aluminium and fluorine. Its chemical composition is Al₂SiO₄(F,OH)₂.
Topaz crystallises in the orthorhombic system (one of the seven crystal systems) and is typically found in igneous rocks, particularly in pegmatites and rhyolites.
🩵 Sky Blue Topaz: This is the lightest shade, resembling a clear blue sky. It is the most natural-looking variety, as it can occur in nature without extensive treatment. However, most Sky Blue Topaz is still irradiated to enhance its hue.
💙 Swiss Blue Topaz: This shade is a bright, electric blue with a vivid saturation. It is achieved through irradiation followed by heat treatment, giving it an intense, eye-catching colour that is highly sought after in jewellery.
🔵 London Blue Topaz: The deepest and most dramatic shade, London Blue Topaz has a rich, steely blue tone with hints of teal. This colour is achieved through a more prolonged irradiation process, making it the darkest and often the most expensive of the three.
The colour classification of Blue Topaz is based on the depth and intensity of the hue, with darker stones often commanding higher prices. While untreated natural Blue Topaz is quite pale, the enhancement process allows for a range of beautiful and consistent shades.
Take a look at our collection of Loose Blue Topaz to see the incredible range of hues these beautiful stones come in.
How Blue Topaz Gets Its Stunning Colour: Natural vs. Treated Stones ✨
Natural Blue Topaz is typically very pale, almost colourless with a faint blue tinge. The vibrant blues seen in Swiss Blue and London Blue Topaz are achieved through an enhancement process involving irradiation and heat treatment. This process alters the atomic structure of the gemstone, intensifying its blue hues while maintaining its clarity and brilliance.
Irradiation mimics natural geological processes, making the treatment stable and permanent. This means that your Loose Blue Topaz will retain its dazzling colour for a lifetime. Understanding these treatments helps buyers make informed decisions when selecting their perfect stone.
Topaz, forms in the orthorhombic system, which often results in columnar or prismatic crystal formations with well-defined, striated faces. This structure influences how the gem is cut and how light interacts with it, enhancing its brilliance and colour when properly faceted.
🔔 Did you know? Blue Topaz treatment can take anywhere from a few days up to 2 years with multiple rounds of treatments to achieve a range of colours!
Best Cuts & Settings for Blue Topaz Jewellery 💍
The right cut enhances the beauty and brilliance of Loose Blue Topaz. Some of the most popular cuts include:
✨ Oval Cut: A classic shape that maximises sparkle and showcases the depth of colour beautifully. Browse Oval Blue Topaz.
✨ Octagon Cut: This step-cut style emphasises clarity and creates a sophisticated, elegant look. Browse Octagon Blue Topaz.
✨ Round Cut: Maximising light reflection, this cut provides incredible brilliance and fire. Browse Round Blue Topaz.
✨ Cushion Cuts: Perfect for statement pieces, these cuts highlight the stone’s vibrant blue tones. Browse Cushion Blue Topaz.
When setting Blue Topaz in jewellery, consider metals that complement its cool tones, such as white gold, platinum, or sterling silver. Bezel settings provide extra protection for everyday wear, while prong settings allow maximum light exposure for enhanced brilliance.
Blue Topaz has a Mohs hardness of 8, which means it is relatively hard and durable as far as semi-precious gemstones go! 💪 A hardness of 8 makes Blue Topaz suitable for use in most types of jewellery, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. However, since it's not as hard as diamonds or sapphires, it can still be scratched by harder materials. It is important to handle it with care and avoid contact with harder stones or abrasive surfaces during making or wearing to maintain its clarity and shine.
Blue Topaz is the birthstone for December! 🎂✨❄️ It is one of the modern birthstones for December, along with Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon. While traditional birthstone lists historically associated Topaz (often golden or imperial topaz) with November, Blue Topaz has been officially recognised as a December birthstone due to its cool, icy blue hues—perfectly fitting for the winter season.
Ancient Legends, Myths & History About Blue Topaz 🌞
A very old Gemstone, Blue Topaz has been revered for its mystical properties throughout history. Ancient Egyptians associated it with the sun god Ra, believing it brought strength and protection. In Greek and Roman mythology, Topaz was thought to provide clarity of thought and increase intelligence. Many cultures have also linked Blue Topaz to calming energies, stress relief, and emotional balance.
The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., holds an impressive 7,033-carat Blue Topaz in its collection. This stone is one of the largest faceted Blue Topaz gems in the world and showcases the stunning brilliance and clarity that this gemstone can achieve.
Today, Blue Topaz is often worn as a symbol of wisdom, love, and tranquility. Whether you’re drawn to its beauty or its historical significance, it remains a gemstone with a fascinating past.
Is Blue Topaz Rare? Value & Availability 👀
Blue Topaz is relatively abundant compared to other blue gemstones like sapphire or tanzanite, making it an affordable yet stunning option. While natural Blue Topaz exists, most stones on the market are treated to achieve the desirable shades of Swiss Blue and London Blue.
The value of Loose Blue Topaz depends on several factors:
💙 Colour Intensity: Richer, deeper hues like London Blue tend to be more valuable than lighter Sky Blue varieties.
💎 Clarity: Most Blue Topaz is eye-clean, meaning it has minimal inclusions, which enhances its desirability.
💍 Cut and Carat Size: A well-cut stone maximises brilliance, while larger carat sizes in deep hues can command higher prices.
This dazzling gemstone is mined in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Russia, and the USA. Brazil, in particular, is known for producing some of the finest-quality blue topaz with incredible brilliance and saturation - which, at JQV Gemstones, is our primary source of Blue Topaz!
We carefully source high-quality Loose Blue Topaz and ensure we take accurate Colour-Matched images, ensuring you receive exactly what you expect.
Everything You Need to Know Before You Buy Loose Blue Topaz 🔔
Blue Topaz is one of the most popular and widely available blue gemstones on the market today. With its dazzling hues and affordability compared to sapphires, it is a favourite choice for jewellery lovers and collectors alike. However, not all Blue Topaz is created equal. Before purchasing, it’s essential to understand its colour variations, treatments, value, and durability.
When buying Loose Blue Topaz, consider the cut, clarity, and carat weight to ensure you're selecting a stone that meets your needs. Whether you're searching for a striking centre stone for a ring or a perfectly matched pair for earrings, JQV offers a carefully curated collection of high-quality, colour-accurate gemstones with high-resolution images so you can buy with confidence. If you are unsure on which type of Blue Topaz you should go for, get in touch with us for a friendly chat!
Why Buy Blue Topaz from JQV? ✨
At JQV, we take pride in offering a carefully curated selection of blue topaz gemstones in a variety of cuts and sizes.
✅ Exceptional Selection – From delicate pastels to deep, rich blues
✅ High-Resolution, Colour-Accurate Images – No surprises! What you see online is what you get
✅ Handpicked Quality – Each gemstone is inspected for brilliance, cut, and clarity
✅ Ethically Sourced – We ensure our gemstones come from reputable sources
Final Thoughts 💭
Blue Topaz is a mesmerising gemstone that offers beauty, affordability, and versatility. Whether you’re captivated by the icy lightness of Sky Blue, the vibrant intensity of Swiss Blue, or the deep richness of London Blue, there’s a perfect shade for every jewellery lover.
If you're looking for high-quality Loose Blue Topaz, JQV provides an exceptional selection with ethically sourced stones, high-resolution images, and expert guidance to help you find the perfect gem. Explore our collection today and add a touch of brilliance to your jewellery designs!