Blue Topaz Jewelry in Bangkok

Blue topaz is the clear, cheerful blue stone that most people picture when they think of a December birthday. It is hard, bright and easy to wear, and it comes in three well known shades, from a pale sky blue to a deep, inky London Blue. It also gives you a lot of color for the money, which makes it a favorite for first gemstone gifts. We set natural blue topaz in 925 sterling silver and solid gold at our studio on Sukhumvit 71, Bangkok.

This page covers what blue topaz is, how its color is made, the difference between Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue, how it compares with other blue gems, how to wear and care for it, what makes a good stone, how to see the stones at our shop, and how to order in Bangkok or anywhere in Thailand.

What blue topaz is

Topaz is an aluminum silicate mineral that contains fluorine. It forms in granite pegmatites and in gravels washed down from them, and it grows into large, very clear crystals. Natural topaz comes in many colors: colorless, pale blue, yellow, orange, brown and, rarely, pink. Most of it is colorless or nearly so.

Natural blue topaz does exist, but it is almost always very pale. The blue topaz sold in jewelry today starts as natural colorless or pale topaz that is treated with irradiation and then heat. The irradiation creates tiny color centers in the crystal, and the heating settles them into a steady blue. The treated stones are held until any residual radioactivity has decayed to safe levels, and blue topaz in the trade is safe to wear.

We want to be clear about this, because it is the honest answer to “is it natural?”. The stone is natural topaz, mined from the ground, and the blue color comes from a stable, permanent treatment that the whole jewelry trade accepts. It does not fade in daylight. Every stone we set is natural, and if a stone has had any treatment we tell you before you order. For blue topaz, that treatment is simply part of what the stone is.

Blue topaz facts at a glance

• Color: pale sky blue, bright Swiss blue and deep London blue
• Hardness: 8 on the Mohs scale
• Treatment: natural colorless topaz, irradiated and heated to make the blue; stable and permanent
• Best for: rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets
• Care: warm soapy water and a soft brush; avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam and high heat
• Price: depends on the quality and carat you choose; we quote before you order

Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue

The three shades are trade names for different depths and tones of blue, made by different treatment methods. None of them is a separate mineral, and none of them is tied to a place: London Blue does not come from London, and Swiss Blue has nothing to do with Switzerland.

Sky Blue topaz is the lightest. It is a soft, airy blue, a little like a clear morning sky or a pale aquamarine. It looks fresh and summery, and it suits people who like a gentle color that goes with everything.

Swiss Blue topaz is a bright, saturated medium blue with a slightly electric feel. It is the most vivid of the three and the one that catches the eye across a room. Many customers choose it for earrings and pendants where they want a clear pop of color.

London Blue topaz is the darkest, a deep blue with a gray or slightly green undertone, close to the color of ink or a stormy sea. It looks more serious and elegant, and it sits well next to gold and in evening jewelry. Because the color is darker, it hides small inclusions a little better than the lighter shades.

When you come to the shop, it helps to see all three side by side. People who arrive certain they want London Blue sometimes leave with Swiss Blue, and the other way round.

Blue topaz and other blue gems

Aquamarine is the blue beryl, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. It has a softer, more greenish or watery blue and usually costs more than blue topaz of the same size.

Blue sapphire is harder at 9 and the classic choice for a ring worn every day. It costs much more, and its blue is deeper and richer than most topaz.

Tanzanite is the other December stone. It is a violet blue rather than a pure blue, softer at 6 to 7, and costs more than blue topaz.

Iolite is a violet blue stone that changes tone as you turn it. It is a little softer than topaz and has a cooler, more purple look.

How to wear and care for blue topaz

At 8 on the Mohs scale, blue topaz is harder than quartz and resists everyday scratches well. It has one weakness: perfect cleavage, which means a hard knock in the wrong direction can split it. In practice this is rare, and blue topaz suits rings, pendants, earrings and bracelets. For a ring you wear every day, a setting that protects the edges of the stone is a good idea, and as with any jewelry, take it off for the gym and heavy work.

Clean it in warm soapy water with a soft brush, then rinse and dry. Avoid ultrasonic cleaners and steam, and keep it away from high heat, which can affect the color. Store it apart from harder stones like sapphire and diamond so it does not get scratched. If it ever needs a polish or a check of the setting, bring it to our shop. Maintenance is free on jewelry we made.

What makes a good blue topaz

Color comes first. Choose the shade you love, then look for an even color across the stone with no patches or gray areas. Within each shade, a clean, lively blue looks best.

Clarity is usually excellent. Most blue topaz is eye clean, and you should expect a clear, glassy stone with no visible inclusions.

Cut makes a big difference. A well cut topaz sparkles across the whole face, while a shallow or poorly cut one shows a dull window in the center. Topaz is cut in almost every shape, from rounds and ovals to emerald cuts and pears.

Size is one of the joys of blue topaz. Large, clean crystals are common, so bigger stones are much more affordable than in most blue gems, and a bold cocktail ring or pendant is within reach.

Where blue topaz comes from

The colorless topaz used for blue topaz is mined in many countries. Brazil is the largest source, especially the state of Minas Gerais, with more from Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Madagascar, Myanmar and other countries. Bangkok and Chanthaburi have long been busy centers for cutting and trading colored stones, including topaz. If you want to know the origin of a particular stone, ask us: we offer certified stones, and an uncertified stone can be sent to a gem lab for a report at extra cost.

The December birthstone

Blue topaz is one of the December birthstones on our birthstone chart, together with tanzanite. Its cool winter blue makes it a popular gift for a December birthday or for Christmas, and all three shades count as the December stone.

See blue topaz at our shop in Bangkok

Seeing Sky Blue, Swiss Blue and London Blue next to each other often changes minds, and people who arrive set on one shade sometimes leave with another. If your booking says blue topaz, all three shades will be laid out for you in several sizes, so you can try each against silver and gold.

Walk in any time we are open, or book ahead so Yaron is there to help with the stone, the design and the metal, from 925 silver and gold plating to solid 9K, 14K or 18K gold.

Blue topaz in a clear, bright blue makes a good first gemstone gift as a loose stone. You can buy one alone, no jewelry needed, and we would be very happy to make a piece for you.

Not in Bangkok? Message us and we will send photos and prices of the blue topaz we have.

Blue topaz questions we get

Is your blue topaz natural?

Yes, the stone is natural topaz. Like almost all blue topaz in jewelry, it starts as colorless topaz and is irradiated and heated to make the blue. This treatment is stable, permanent and accepted across the trade, and we always tell you about it before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association.

Will the color of blue topaz fade?

No. The blue is stable in normal wear and daylight. Only very high heat, like a jeweler’s torch, can change it, which is why we take care when we repair or resize a piece.

What is the difference between Swiss Blue and London Blue?

Swiss Blue is a bright, vivid medium blue. London Blue is a deep, inky blue with a gray or slightly green undertone. Both are blue topaz; the names describe the shade, not where the stone comes from.

Is blue topaz the same as aquamarine?

No. Aquamarine is blue beryl, a different mineral with a softer, more greenish blue. Blue topaz is a little harder and usually costs less for the same size.

How much does blue topaz jewelry cost?

It depends on the quality and carat of the stone you choose, and on the metal. We give you the price before anything is made.

Can I buy just the stone?

Yes. Any of the three shades can be bought as a single loose topaz, and nothing has to be made. If you decide on a ring, pendant or earrings, now or later, we are happy to set it.

How long does a blue topaz piece take?

7 to 10 working days from your order, because the stones are already here in our shop, then 1 to 3 working days for delivery inside Thailand. We also ship abroad by FedEx.

Every blue topaz piece is made to order by our team in Bangkok in 925 sterling silver or solid gold, with a 3-year warranty, free maintenance and free shipping across Thailand.