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London Blue Topaz is generally brown or colorless material that’s been irradiated and then heat treated to obtain the dark blue, which does not occur in nature. Fortunately, this is a permanent color change, so you don’t have to worry about the color fading over time.
Beside above, is London blue topaz dyed? Deep pink Imperial topaz by Sancler Gemstones. The most valuable topaz colors are the warm ones including dark pinkish-red, orange-red and golden orange-yellow colors. … Due to this, much of the blue topaz found on the market have been dyed. This includes the popular London Blue, Sky Blue and Swiss Blue varieties.
People ask also, is all London blue topaz irradiated? Most blue topaz on the market is irradiated to enhance its color. These stones (~4–10 ct) were treated by neutron irradiation.
Also know, are blue topaz stones treated? Natural blue topaz is rare and hard to find. This has prompted the production of the stone using a treated, colorless topaz. The process involves heating and irradiating the stone until it’s blue. Thus the stone is still considered a topaz, but it has been treated to better display its blue hue.
Similarly, is London blue topaz safe? London Blue topaz stones can be slightly radioactive immediately after treatment but any measurable trace of radiation decays within a few months. Treated stones are monitored and regulated. They shouldn’t be sold until the levels of radioactivity fall far below levels that could have any notable effect on your health.Tip #1: Look at the stone’s clarity As they are heat-treated, most of the blue topazes available today are eye-clean, which means they do not have inclusions visible to the naked eye. As such, if you notice any scratches, cracks, dots or tiny fractures on the gem, then it may not be a real blue topaz.
Which is better Swiss blue topaz or London blue topaz?
Swiss Blue is a bright blue topaz with a light tone and light to moderate saturation. London Blue is a dark blue topaz with a moderate to dark tone and saturation. … London Blue is the current market favorite. It is only slightly more expensive than Swiss Blue topaz.
How can you tell if topaz is treated?
Detectability – Because strong blue colors do not occur naturally in topaz, such stones are considered to have undergone irradiation treatment. Strong colors in green, pink, and red diamonds should also be considered suspect.
Why is topaz bad for you?
Isotopes with little or no radiation inside the stones are harmless, but some radio-isotopes produced by, especially, neutron-irradiation can emit powerful beta and gamma radiations that are harmful to humans. … Natural blue topaz and dark blue irradiated topaz are the most desirable in Europe and America.
What is the rarest color of topaz?
The traditional November birthstone, topaz is a popular gem. Although frequently associated with golden yellow as well as blue, it can be found in a variety of colors, including colorless. The rarest are natural pink, red, and fine golden orange, sometimes with a pink tone.
How do you care for a London blue topaz?
- First, add a mild soap to a bowl of lukewarm water.
- Put your topaz ring in this solution to let it soak for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Take your ring out and clean the stone gently by wiping it with a soft cloth or a soft toothbrush.
How is London blue topaz made?
London blue topaz is typically produced by exposure to radiation in a nuclear reactor. When topaz is exposed to fast neutrons, the radiation changes the color centers, producing the deep blue color. Subsequent heat treatment is often used to lighten the inky color.
Is blue topaz toxic?
Most blue topaz on the market has been exposed to radiation. This is no cause for alarm. Irradiated gemstones are not harmful. Because they may be slightly radioactive immediately after their treatment, the NRC regulates the distribution of these products to ensure public health is protected.
Is London blue topaz a December birthstone?
December’s birthstone is one that is loved and worn by many throughout human history, it’s the blue topaz.
Is blue topaz worth anything?
When it was first introduced to the market, treated blue topaz sold for $20 to $40 per carat. But oversupply led to huge drops in wholesale prices, down to a few dollars or less per carat. Today, blue topaz is basically a mass-market gem, and price is often the most important consideration for many buyers.
Is citrine the same as topaz?
Citrine (quartz family) and topaz are actually unrelated mineral species. Topaz belongs to the silicate mineral family, not quartz. Before these differences were clear, many cultures called citrine (the yellow variety of quartz) by other names like gold topaz, Madeira or Spanish topaz—contributing to the confusion.
What are the benefits of wearing topaz?
It brings abundance and prosperity to its wearer. It is a powerful stone that aids in spiritual understanding. Wearing a yellow topaz will benefit the health of the stomach area. It is said to be an effective healing stone within this chakra and is excellent for liver, kidney and bladder problems or imbalances.
Is London blue topaz teal?
London Blue topaz is characterized by a “steely” or “inky” deep blue color that may present a slightly greenish tone from certain angles. … Natural topaz is nearly always colorless or only lightly colored. That means that nearly all blue topaz has been enhanced by radiation treatment.
What are the 3 shades of blue topaz?
Blue Topaz Colors Color-wise, we talk about three shades of treated blue topaz. These are London Blue, Sky Blue, and Swiss Blue. London Blue is the darkest, with grey or brown undertones. Swiss Blue is more like a robin’s egg and can best be described as “medium” depth.
What does a blue topaz engagement ring mean?
Blue Topaz is the December Birthstone Selecting a blue topaz engagement ring can add even more meaning to your engagement ring if you or your sweetheart has a December birthday. Blue topaz is a stone that is always associated with peace, honesty, loyalty, and deep emotional attachment.
Is London blue topaz lab created?
Gorgeous pear-shaped London Blue topaz gemstones flank each side, and more round-cut white lab-created sapphires shimmer down the band to finish the look. The ring is crafted in classic sterling silver. Sapphire is commonly subjected to enhancement processes or treatments such as heating and diffusion.
Why is my blue topaz cloudy?
Over time, your rings, necklaces and earrings simply get dirty, causing your once-sparkling gems to appear dark and cloudy. This is mostly because the back of the gemstones have accumulated a layer of soap film and other “yuck” which blocks light from shining through them and makes them look dull.
What does natural topaz look like?
Common topaz in its natural state is colorless, though trace element impurities can make it pale blue, golden brown to yellow orange. Topaz is often treated with heat, or radiation to make it a deep blue, reddish-orange, pale green, pink, or purple.
Can blue topaz be worn everyday?
Blue topaz is a beautiful blue gemstone that is excellent for daily wear in jewelry. Some of the most popular ways to wear blue topaz include in engagement rings, cocktail rings, pendant necklaces, and earrings. … Extreme temperatures can cause topaz to change color, get damaged, or even break.
Is Topaz safe to wear?
And regulations require that these gems be confirmed to be safe before they can be sold to you. For all of these reasons I feel comfortable saying that, even though your beautiful deep blue topaz might have once spent some time inside of a nuclear reactor, it’s safe for you to wear.
Can I wear Topaz everyday?
Topaz Care: A topaz stone will start to lose its color if kept out in the sun or exposed to other kinds of heat. Ranked 8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale, topaz is suitable for every day wear, but is susceptible to damage from a hard strike or blow.
