How to Choose Blue Topaz

Those looking for a special colored gem stone or who want to purchase a birthstone gift for a loved one or friend born in the month of December should consider learning some basics about how to choose blue topaz. Topaz is a very hard stone and will work for any type of jewelry.

1. Decide what shade of blue topaz you like best.

    

   • Topaz comes in many varied colors with natural blue topaz being so light, it appears almost clear. Treated stones can come in a variety of blues and levels of saturation. Unless a stone is colorless, the assumption should be that it was heat-treated.
   • Heat treating involves heating the stones at varying temperatures and lengths of time to achieve blues that range from greenish to the more valuable London blue, which has a gray tint. The stones can also be almost aqua, sky blue or electric blue.
2. Examine the stone's clarity and any visible flaws.
   • Because rough topaz stones are available in such large pre-cut sizes, the stones cut by professionals should be practically flawless. If they are not flawless, they should be extremely inexpensive. Total clarity is the industry standard for the blue topaz. Light should travel unhindered through the stone, which should have a smooth and highly-reflective surface.
   • The value of the blue topaz often depends more on the cut than on the stone itself, so look for unique, striking cuts. A well-cut stone will shimmer when held to the light.
3. Take time to comparison shop.
   • Blue topaz is a moderately-priced gem, so shop around to find the best deal. Prices for darker blue stones have gone up recently, mostly due to the lagging economy. To get the deeper colors the stones have to be treated for a longer period of time, which means they are held longer before they are sold.

    

• Blue topaz has no sensitivity to chemicals, but frequent steam or ultrasonic cleanings can cause the stone to fade. Have your topaz cleaned with one of these methods once or twice a year, but for general maintenance, simply wash it in warm, soapy water.
• Because the stones are typically very smooth, they can be more likely to get scratched. Take care to protect the surface of the stone from things that could mar it.
• Like diamonds, topaz have the quality of cleavage. This means that one blow at just the right angle can cleanly cleave the stone in two. Be sure to shield your blue topaz from hard knocks, and when storing it, put in in a pouch by itself.
• Most precious topaz is mined in Brazil.