View Full Version : Blue Topaz
Quinn
05-20-2005, 11:36 AM
Is this a durable stone for jewelry? I know this is not a real expensive stone I just enjoy the look. Is this a treated stone?
morningsun
06-06-2005, 05:02 PM
Blue Topaz is irradiated to it's blue color. There are three different colors on the market: Sky Blue (light blue), London Blue (dark blue, slightly grey) and Swiss or Super Blue (medium tone bright blue).
Blue Topaz is commonly used in jewelry. Hardness is 8 on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the hardest. That is hard enough to give you good wearablility.
Rember when Blue topaz was the New Craze -
Now its well established in the gem market right next to Amethtyst ,Garnet and Citrine -
It is Stable as Treamnents and Shoudl Not Fade - A good choice for a low to mid range Gem
Quinn
06-06-2005, 07:43 PM
It has a really nice look about it. Great for casual jewelry and blue jeans! Or it can easily go with your evening outfits.
Steve Cantar
06-06-2005, 10:16 PM
Hi Quinn,
Blue Topaz is an excellent choice for casual jewelry. It has a great color, is relatively inexpensive and has very good durability.
Steve Cantar
Jade Gallery
Steve Cantar
06-06-2005, 10:18 PM
Also, Quinn, Blue Topaz shouldn't just be thought of as a "cheap" gem. MANY designers use it quite a bit in their very expensive jewelry!
Steve Cantar
Jade Gallery
Gregory Diamond
06-07-2005, 10:35 AM
When it comes to hardness (durability) in color, what are the best and worst choices in colored stones?
Greg
Steve Cantar
06-15-2005, 11:36 AM
When it comes to hardness (durability) in color, what are the best and worst choices in colored stones?
Greg
Greg,
Tanzanite is not a great choice for a ring stone because of the way it cleaves (it fractures along a long line).
Jade is one of the best choices for a ring stone because of it's microcrystalline structure (which makes it very tough and difficult to break).
Steve...
Jade Gallery
denverappraiser
06-15-2005, 02:22 PM
When it comes to hardness (durability) in color, what are the best and worst choices in colored stones?
Greg
Greg,
Hardness and durability are not the same attribute. Hardness is the resistance to scratching. Durability is the resistance to all forms of damage, including breakage. Steve's advice about jade being very durable and the warning about Tanzanite is dead on. Topaz is fairly fragile and should be worn with care dispite the fact that it's relatively hard.
Compare wood to glass. Scratching pine is quite easy, you can even do it with your fingernail but breaking a 2x4 is damn hard. The opposite is true with glass.
saffles
06-28-2005, 05:46 PM
When it comes to hardness (durability) in color, what are the best and worst choices in colored stones?
Greg
Corrundum (rubies/sapphires) is the best choice for colored stone toughness. It is even a better choice than diamond, since has no cleavage. And it comes in almost every color in the rainbow... :)