Your Ultimate Guide for Buying Blue Topaz Rings

Blue Topaz Rings – A Buyers Guide

Are you looking for a guide for buying blue topaz rings?    Would you like answers to questions like is blue topaz expensive?  What is blue topaz price per carat?  Which shade of blue topaz is the most valuable?   Then we’ve got great news for you.  You’ve come to the right place!

Blue topaz rings are incredibly popular.    They are purchased for many reasons.  Some buy blue topaz rings as an engagement ring for a marriage proposal.   Though tradition puts diamond rings on a pedestal, recent trends are pointing people in a different direction. People are now opting for other precious stones outside of diamonds. 

Others buy this birthstone for someone on her special day – her birthday or Mother’s Day for example.

Regardless of your reason, blue topaz rings are one of the best options to go for.  What follows below is our guide for buying blue topaz rings.  

But what makes blue topaz a worthy alternative?  Is topaz expensive?  And more importantly, how do you buy blue topaz rings?  What are the key factors you need to consider?

Continue reading below our blue topaz ring buying guide.

Guide for buying blue topaz rings

There is a unique charm to blue topaz rings that make them stand out from the rest. Moreover, blue topaz symbolizes many qualities that put it way up high among engagement ring options. 

For starters, blue topaz gives off a peaceful and tranquil vibe. Moreover, it represents loyalty and lasting love. Giving this to your significant other sends the message that you are in it for the long haul.

PHOTO 1:   It’s hard not to love the peaceful and tranquil vibe of blue topaz rings.   In our guide for buying blue topaz rings we recommend either a rhodium plated 925 silver or a white gold setting for the gemstone.  Photo above is of a blue topaz halo ring from Luxuria.  [SOURCE:  Luxuria Diamonds]

Also, topaz birthstones signify other interesting meanings. People believe that topaz also symbolizes healing and protection. Thus, people give topaz to someone who badly needs calming and healing.

One of the main reasons behind the blue topaz’s resurgence is its affordability.

Naturally occurring blue topaz is rare.  Most natural stones are lightly coloured.  As our Guide for buying blue topaz rings point out below Topaz is fairly common.  The largest Topaz producer is Brazil. Other sources are in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, China, Burma (Myanmar), Sri Lanka, Japan, Russia, Ukraine, Australia, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and the U.S. (California, Utah, and New Hampshire).

Examine the blue topaz color

In its pure form, topaz is colorless. However, impurities find their way into these gemstones, creating myriad tones. Since colors play a big role in the overall aesthetic of the ring, make sure to examine the color before you buy one.

As for the blue topaz, manufacturers developed a way to create different hues of blue. They use heat treatment and irradiation to achieve various tones of blue. 

The good thing about this process is that it results in a stable and permanent color. Often, you will find it hard to detect if the blue shade is a result of the treatment or if it came from nature.

PHOTO 2:  Is topaz expensive?   How much is topaz?   Blue topaz is a relatively inexpensive gemstone.   Topaz price per carat can range from US$3 to $20 per carat depending on the shade and consistency of color.    Photo above of a blue topaz and diamond ring which combines sky blue topaz with natural diamond.  

Depending on the depth of the color, a blue topaz may be known as London Blue (a deep, inky color), Swiss Blue (vibrant light blue) and Sky Blue (a light aqua color).

One of the more popular shades is London Blue. This color gives off a dark blue shade with some hints of green.

Another favorite option is Sky Blue.  As the name implies, Sky Blues show pale blue colors and may somewhat resemble aquamarines in hue and tone.

There is also Swiss Blue, which is highly saturated greenish blue.

Check the blue topaz gemstone clarity

Another important factor to consider is the clarity of the blue topaz. Most topaz stones fall under Type II. This means the stones come with other inclusions like liquids, glasses, and crystals.

These inclusions contribute to the type of clarity that you will get. But in the case of blue topaz, it falls under the Type I category. Stones that fall under this category are likely to not have inclusions that you can see with the naked eye.

When answering the question how much is topaz, note that any eye-visible inclusions will detract from the stone’s value.    If you see a blue topaz with visible inclusions, expect these blemishes to drag down the price of the stone. Since you want to get the best value for your money, it is wise to go for a ring that doesn’t come with any visible impurities.  Simply put the best blue topaz rings tend to have eye clean topaz stones.

Understand that the Topaz cut matters!

The cut of the blue topaz stone is another key factor to look into. Since blue topaz is one of the most brilliant stones out there, certain topaz cuts help highlight this particular quality. 

Hence, the most popular cuts that work best with topaz are princess, round, and modern cuts. But if you want the color and clarity to stand out, stick to cuts with open facets. These are the Asscher and emerald cuts.

PHOTO 3: According to GIA, topaz is cut in a wide variety of shapes and cutting styles. Production includes all the standard gem shapes such as ovals, pears, rounds, cushions, triangles, marquise, and emerald cuts as well as designer-inspired fantasy shapes.  Photo above of a blue topaz December birthstone ring.   [SOURCE:  Luxuria Diamonds & the Gemological Institute of America]

Other options include the fantasy cut. This cut features large pavilion facets that come with grooves mirroring across the pavilion.

Be extra careful when examining the cuts. Poorly-cut blue topaz stones will show “windowing.”   This is a washed-out section that you will see on the pavilion.  The blue topaz price guide can be heavily impacted by this. 

Other gemstones such as Amethyst can also experience this.   While this guide provides tips on buying blue topaz rings, you may also wish to read a sister guide, our amethyst rings buying guide.

Another sign of poor cutting is “extinction.” This pertains to dark patches that do not return any light. To check for windowing, raise the stone to the eye level and wave any object behind it.

If the object appears clearly, your topaz stone has windowing.  When buying blue topaz rings avoid rings where stone has windowing.

The Styles and Metals Count in Blue Topaz Rings

If you buy your blue topaz ring from commercial sources, expect it to come in different styles. Because blue topaz stones are large, they offer more room for custom cuts.

Most blue topaz stone are set in 925 sterling silver thought white gold is another popular but more expensive alternative.  Either silver or white gold complements the clean and relaxing vibe of the blue topaz.  We don’t generally recommend yellow or rose gold settings, especially with lighter blue stones.   This is because the setting and band can distract rather than enhance the central gemstone.  

If yellow or rose gold is your thing then London Blue or Swiss Blue topaz would be better choices. 

Is topaz expensive? Price per carat blue topaz

No guide for buying blue topaz rings would be complete without discussing prices.

With respect to the gemstone itself, according to gemstone authority GIA, 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.   Today, prices for faceted blue topaz are typically down to less than US$10 per carat.

TABLE 1:   Blue topaz price per carat chart.    How is the Price per carat blue topaz?    No guide for buying blue topaz rings would be complete without discussing prices.  The above table is faceted gemstones (only) with typical retail pricing expressed in US dollars.  Wholesale pricing is significantly less.  [SOURCE: The International Gem Society “IGS Gem Price Guide”]

As seen in table 1 above if you are interested in darker shades of blue, expect the prices to go up.  All things being equal, London Blue topaz rings will be more expensive than sky blue topaz rings.  But keep in mind that pricing for each blue will reflect the gemstone quality.  

Guide for buying blue topaz rings – Common Questions

What are the rarest topaz stones?

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 topaz stones are natural pink, red, and fine golden orange, sometimes with a pink tone.

Is topaz expensive?

Although clarity and size have a significant effect on the value of topaz, color has the greatest impact on pricing.    Topaz can be expensive.  The highest values go to the rare pink and red stones, then orange and yellow. Intense, reddish orange topaz is sometimes called “imperial topaz.” Yellow, orange, and brown stones are somewhat common.  Colorless topazes are the most common and are low-value gems in any size.

Is Blue Topaz heat treated?

The blue topaz you find in most blue topaz rings will most likely be heat treated.  In the 1960’s, a two-step method was discovered to turn colorless topaz blue.  In the first step the rough gemstone is irradiated, turning it brown.  In the second step the brown topaz stone is heated to achieve a stable, blue color.  The process nearly duplicates what happens in the Earth.   A treated topaz stone cannot be distinguished from a natural one.

Is Blue Topaz the same as Aquamarine?

No.   According to IGS Topaz that has undergone treatment and been turned dark blue is sometimes used as a simulant for aquamarine.   However, Aquamarine is a distinct and more valuable gem species.    Since topaz is typically less expensive than aquamarine, consumers should be wary of unscrupulous vendors who may try to sell treated topaz as aquamarine.

Where is Blue Topaz Sourced From?

Brazil is the principal source of gem-quality topaz.  The Minas Gerais region produces fine yellow to orange crystals, facetable to large sizes, as well as colorless and pale yellow crystals up to several hundred pounds in size. These crystals are typically transparent.  This locality also produces pale blue crystals and rolled pebbles, much of which is facetable.

PHOTO 4:  Tips on buying blue topaz rings – look for gem quality sources.  Many blue topaz rings will use topaz gemstones sourced from Brazil.   Seen above is pear shaped blue topaz ring from Luxuria®.   

Russia is another major source of gem-quality topaz.  The Ural Mountains region produces fine blue crystals, often cuttable, as well as gemmy material in green and magenta colors. Sanarka produces pink topazes.  

Other sources of topaz include Australia, the United States, Mexico, Pakistan, Myanmar and several African states.

Grading Systems for Blue Topaz

There is no official grading system for blue topaz stones.  Informally Blue topaz is graded on its color, clarity, and cut, with the color being the most important. The grading scales go from AAAA to AA or even B, with AAAA at the top. AAAA means that the topaz has no visible inclusions and radiates a rich color. Most good quality blue topaz rings will have stones of informal AA or AAA grade.

Despite informally established grading systems for blue topaz color, clarity, and cut, any evaluation of these properties is inherently subjective. Even gemologists and appraisers may disagree about the quality of a specific blue topaz stone, so disagreements regarding gem prices do occur.

IGS, USA

Ultimately, the price of a gem is what one willing buyer and one willing seller can actually agree upon.   Further, if you wish to customize the cuts, the prices will go up further.  Keep in mind that most of the stone’s value doesn’t come within the stone. Instead, it is from the labour that comes with the cutting process.

In case you’re on a tight budget, a good option is a sterling silver blue topaz ring. A good quality 2 carat sky blue topaz ring set in 925 silver will typically retail for less than US$100.

But if you wish to go all-out with the engagement ring, go for one that is set with diamonds.  Blue topaz paired with a natural diamond or a simulated diamond halo make for a very attractive engagement ring.

PHOTO 5:    No guide for buying blue topaz rings would be complete without commenting on how beautifully blue topaz pairs with natural mined diamond as seen above in the above the above Blue topaz diamond ring  [SOURCE:  Luxuria Diamonds]

Blue topaz ring buying guide – Conclusion

Buying blue topaz rings is an exciting endeavour.  We hope you found this blue topaz rings guide useful and that we satisfactorily answered key questions like how much is topaz, topaz price per carat, blue topaz price per carat and is blue topaz a good choice for an engagement ring?

Now that you’ve read our Guide for buying blue topaz rings you should be aware of key considerations. But if you don’t have the budget at the moment, then you came to the right place.

Topaz is an affordable gemstone with the price per carat blue topaz being relatively inexpensive.   In commercial jewelry, blue topazes usually appear in simple but classic pendants, rings, and earrings, set with diamonds or cubic zirconia (CZ) in sterling silver or gold.

Luxuria® Diamonds offers high-quality simulant engagement rings at affordable prices. Our selection of stand-in rings will bring a smile to your fiancée’s face and serve as a perfect placeholder until the real deal arrives.

Connect with us and let’s get you that engagement ring, today!

Want to learn more?

We hope you have learned something from our guide for buying blue topaz rings.

Would you like to learn more about birthstone jewelry?   Check out our article on birthstone history and which gemstones represent each month of the year.

Confused about the difference between diamonds, synthetics and simulants?  In this post we run through the terminologies which many find confusing.

Looking for a guide to buying Amethyst birthstone rings?  In this blog we outline some tips of the trade to identifying exceptional amethyst rings.

We also welcome any comments or questions you have on our Ultimate Guide for Buying Blue Topaz Rings.    Please use the comments section below to share your thoughts.