The Complete Buying Guide to London Blue Topaz

In the spectrum of blue topaz stones, London Blue topaz steals the show with its rich deep blue color, outshining the rest of the pale blue color stones. With the spirit of Twilight skies and deep ocean waves, these stones make up for the perfect jewelry pieces. The gem displays a more attractive appearance with its darker blue shade which resembles ink compared to standard topaz. This London Blue Topaz gemstone buying guide will help in navigating through various factors such as colors, quality, and value with respect to other

What is a London Blue Topaz?

In the world of gemstones, London Blue Topaz is a blue shade, the shade of which is achieved through irradiation and heat treatments. Hence, it is not a natural color. Out of various topaz colors like pink, purple, and blue, London Blue Topaz is famous for its refined color. The features that make it attractive are its color and hardness, and the fact that it is rare makes it even more valuable.

This treatment isn't a shortcut or a red flag; it's simply how the trade works. The vast majority of blue topaz sold today, London Blue included, has been enhanced this way, and it's a widely accepted, industry-standard practice as long as it's disclosed. It's one of the reasons BAUTLR is upfront about sourcing and treatment on the Our Process page so you always know what you're buying.

How London Blue Topaz Gets Its Color

In its natural, untreated state, topaz is typically colorless or very pale, nothing like the deep blue seen in finished jewelry. To get there, the rough stone is first irradiated, which shifts it to a brown or grayish tone, and then heat-treated, which is the step that brings out a stable, permanent blue. London Blue Topaz tends to use a stronger irradiation process than its lighter siblings, Sky Blue and Swiss Blue Topaz, which is part of why it comes out so much darker and richer in color. 

This combination of natural mineral and careful treatment is what makes London Blue Topaz such a versatile stone in jewelry today, you'll find it just as often in demi-fine, everyday pieces as you will in fine jewelry, since its rich color and affordability work well at both ends of the spectrum.

Topaz Colors: London Blue, Swiss Blue & Sky Blue

Among blue topaz gemstones, three shades dominate the market, and knowing the difference makes shopping a lot easier:

• Sky Blue Topaz – the lightest of the three, a soft, pale blue.

• Swiss Blue Topaz – a brighter, more vivid medium blue, sitting between the other two.

• London Blue Topaz – the deepest and darkest of the topaz colors, with a moody, almost ink-like tone that's currently the market favorite.

A simple rule of thumb: light blue is Sky, medium blue is Swiss, dark blue is London. All three come from the same treated topaz family. The difference lies purely in tone and saturation, with London Blue commanding a slightly higher price due to its popularity and richer look.

Hardness on the Mohs Scale

London Blue Topaz is rated 8 on a Mohs hardness scale, implying it is as durable as a sapphire. This hence forms an ideal choice for wearing it daily, as it tends to withstand most kinds of scratches. But just like other blue topaz stones it can get damaged if it receives a strong impact, especially in the natural internal planes.

Shape Variations

In terms of shapes, it can be molded into shape just like other gemstones. Some of the common cuts that can be found are round cut, emerald cut, and brilliant cut. The most famous one is the step cut, as the facets in this ring tend to run parallel, reflecting light and rendering an attractive shine to the gemstone.

Sourcing

London Blue Topaz is a rare gemstone and is mainly found in Brazil. Besides this, the United States is also a depositor of the stone, and it is a state gem of Texas. The naturally occurring blue topaz is rare and cannot be found easily in either of the regions.

Birthstone Association

London blue topaz gemstone is associated with December as a birthstone, as it represents clarity, calmness, and emotional balance. The deep blue color symbolizes inner strength and transparent communication. All of these factors make it an excellent choice for gifting purposes and marking any personal milestones. For a deeper dive into meanings by month, take a look at our london blue topaz birthstone guide.

Browse BAUTLR’s handmade london blue topaz collection now and discover the variety of jewelries that speak your style. Pick the one that matches your style and personality.

Unique Characteristics of London Blue Topaz

The factors that make London Blue Topaz gemstone are its color, the precision cut and the carat dimensions. Let's have a closer look:

1. Deep Blue Color: London Blue Topaz is often sought for its deep blue color, similar to that of sapphire gemstone, but on the affordable side. When compared to other lighter topaz varieties, the dark tone of the stone is more polished and creates a dramatic appearance.

2. Precision and Versatile Cut: In terms of blue topaz gemstones, this stone is well acquainted with diverse cuttings that accentuate the intensity and look of the gemstone. The degree of the cut influences how well the stone is able to reflect light. So, with multiple cut styles and definition, the glow of the London Blue Topaz can be highlighted.

3. Carat Options: When it comes to carat, London Blue Topaz is widely available in numerous options, irrespective of whether it's small accent gems or large centerpiece gemstones. The blue topaz gemstones can be found in significant carat without being on the expensive side as the stones tend to occur in large crystals.

4. Visual Impact: London Blue Topaz helps in creating a balance between visual impact and accessibility. This is because the stones appear luxurious and deep in color and are relatively easy to attain when compared to the rest of the precious blue topaz stones.

How to Choose a London Blue Topaz?

The following factors help to pick the buy London blue topaz:

1. Intention to Use

London Blue Topaz is perfect for everyday use, where its balance of stone size and secured settings offers durability and prolonged use. To wear it as pendants, larger stones of this gemstone are usually preferable as compared to the earrings and rings. If you're set on a ring specifically, look for a secure, low-profile setting. Since a ring takes the most daily impact of any jewelry type, a well-protected stone will hold up better over years of wear.

2. Color Depth

Unlike other topaz colors, in this stone, the depth of the color dominates the quality of the stone. For instance, stones with deep blue color and teal undertones are considered of the best quality. A practical approach is to verify its shine both in outdoor and indoor light and check if the color is uniform under both conditions.

3. Clarity and Quality

London Blue Topaz is sought for its clarity. So, to verify its quality, it is important to check if it's clean to the eye and doesn't come with natural scratches or uneven lines. This is because clear stones reflect light in a better way as compared to other stones.

4. Overall Evaluation

While examining whether to buy London Blue Topaz stone, consider factors such as craftsmanship, saturation, cut, clarity, and reflection of light. Look for stones that come with a uniform color and precise cutting, as they tend to last longer.

5. Buying It Loose vs. Set

If you'd rather buy loose London Blue Topaz and have it set later, ask the seller whether the stone's treatment has been disclosed and, for larger sizes, whether it comes with any grading documentation. A loose stone lets you inspect color and clarity from every angle before it's ever set, which is worth doing carefully since setting can hide small flaws.

So, discover beautifully crafted London Blue Topaz jewelry at BAUTLR and level up your look with the stone that seamlessly blends sophistication and affordability.

What Are The Benefits of London Blue Topaz?

1. Metaphysical Benefits

London Blue Topaz gemstones are said to bring calmness, clarity, and a transparent thinking process. People often believe that it brings positive energy, thereby helping the wearer thrive in life. Hence, this stone is said to bring several metaphysical benefits.

2. Daily Wearability

With a rating of 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, London Blue topaz is a practical choice for wearing daily. It tends to last long for years, provided adequate care and maintenance are done. Hence, it is suitable for wearing as a necklace, pendant, and ring.

3. Luxury Statement

When compared to other luxury blue stones such as sapphire, London Blue Topaz tends to offer the same kind of deep blue look but on the affordable side. Hence, a luxury statement is achieved when you buy loose London Blue Topaz.

4. Versatility

This blue-colored stone sits well with various ranges of metals, from silver, white gold, and platinum. This means that the stone can be styled with numerous metals and in different styles. Hence, this caters to both formal and casual outfits.

5. Visually Appealing

The London Blue Topaz gemstone is optically alluring for its rich and deep blue color. This factor makes it stand out from the rest of the stones and hence render a sophisticated look. So another reason to pick up this gemstone is not just for its strength but for its ability to give you a polished look.

Is Your London Blue Topaz Genuine?

Because treated blue topaz is so common, most genuine stones are naturally eye-clean, so clarity alone won't tell you much. A few quick checks help instead: 

• Hold the stone up to a strong light and look for tiny trapped air bubbles, which point to glass rather than gemstone. 

• Real London Blue Topaz also stays cool to the touch for longer than glass imitations do. 

• For anything set in fine jewelry, buying from a source that discloses treatment and sourcing, which is a core part of BAUTLR's promises, takes the guesswork out of it.

Who Should Consider Buying It?

People who prefer gemstones with deeper color and not pastel can choose this and buy London blue topaz ring for a minimalistic styling. This is because the intensity of the color works well with both the statements, be it creating a bold fashion statement or pulling off a simple look.

Since it's a December birthstone, people who are born in this month can also consider buying it. Besides this people who want an affordable alternative for sapphire and diamond should consider this in their styling as it seems a practical choice.

Explore the London blue topaz collection at BAUTLR today and pick your favourite from the variety of London Blue Topaz collection for your wardrobe.

Caring for Your London Blue Topaz Jewelry

A little routine care keeps London Blue Topaz looking as rich as the day you bought it. Clean it with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush or cloth, avoiding ultrasonic cleaners and harsh chemicals, which can dull the surface over time. Store it separately from harder gems to prevent scratching, and keep it away from extreme heat or sudden temperature changes. 

It's also worth knowing that every piece is only as good as the hands that made it, something we think about closely as part of our sustainability approach to sourcing and craftsmanship.