Guess These Stones

[uber]

can anybody guess what stones these are? they're being sold as blue topaz but after research, i haven't seen this kind of shade for blue topaz (blue with hints of green like teal-ish).

thinking of buying them bec i love the color but just curious.

help!

 

[patricias]

They could be anything, including synthetic. How much is the seller asking for them?

 

[uber]

selling at $40/pc. i've bought diamonds and emeralds from her before and the prices are always good and the stones are real and of good quality (after having them appraised back home).

seller says the blue topaz ones ones are from africa

 

[uber]

is there any way to test topaz (like diamonds have the testers ) or do they have to be tested in a lab?

 

[FrekeChild]

There are 4 basic blue topazes:

1. Untreated. This is typically a very pale blue, Doug Menadue of Bespoke Gems typically has some.
2. Sky Blue topaz - Typically a pale blue, roughly the color of the sky, with a hint of green to it.
3. Swiss blue topaz - Or Electric blue topaz, this is a greenish blue, almost neon looking.
4. London Blue topaz - Typically a stormy gray-greenish blue, almost navy in color with bright blue flashes.

Topaz is really pretty cheap. Untreated should be the most expensive, London second, Swiss third and Sky fourth. Besides the rare untreated variety, topaz is brought to these color blues by being irradiated like crazy, to the extent that they arelightly radioactive for a time after treatment. By the time they are put on the market, the radioactivity has had the time to wear off.

I don't know the size on those stones, but unless they are very small, that seems like a reasonable price for me, and not worth sending to a lab, so long as you like the look of what you're getting for what you're paying. It's likely "Swiss" topaz, so be aware that it is highly treated, but the color is really quite fantastic.

ETA: If you know someone with a refractometer, you can get an RI reading, which is typically adequate to guess the stone species. There are obviously other tests as well, but for your question on these stones, it's probably fine. Topaz RI: 1.609 - 1.643

 

[uber]

frekechild, thank you!!! i will look for a london blue. if not, i'll take these ones

she's selling another (pic attached). it's really pale pale blue (almost white in the middle but bluish on the sides) but when i took the photo, the color changed to this bright blue. is it correct to say that this square one has a huge window?

thanks again!

 

[FrekeChild]

The stone isn't quite flat, so we're looking at it from a slight angle, but yes, that appears to be a tilt window. If it looks like that while you are looking directly straight at it, then yes, it is a window.

 

[uber]

is tilt window ok? i know that window at the bottom is not good if you look at it upright.

 

[Edward Bristol]

Apatite?

 

[uber]

First time i heard if apatite. If it's $40/pc, is it worth it?

 

[chrono]

I'm confused; do you not trust the seller's word that these stones are as stated? If you don't, then why do you continue to purchase from this person?

 

[uber]

Just havent seen this kind of color when i was looking at blue topazes on the internet and wondered so i asked helped from you guys (the experts)

 

[uber]

But since frekechild said they might be swiss topaz, i got an idea. Dont even know if my keweler knows apatite since she's not a big time jeweler

 

[chrono]

Does this help?

 

[uber]

Chrono, thank you! Bought them today. Looking at how to set them

 

[uber]

Will topaz be strong enough to withstand an everyday ring with this setting? Will it get chipped if i wear it everyday or will a halo be better? Thanks!

 

[T L]

frekechild, thank you!!! i will look for a london blue. if not, i'll take these ones

she's selling another (pic attached). it's really pale pale blue (almost white in the middle but bluish on the sides) but when i took the photo, the color changed to this bright blue. is it correct to say that this square one has a huge window?

thanks again!

Could be blue quartz too, which I believe is irradiataed, synthesized or coated (blue transparent quartz doesn't occur naturally).

 

[chrono]

It depends on how active your hands are. Even diamonds get chipped if worn 24/7 (sleeping, gardening, working out, etc).

 

[uber]

Mostly office work and i will leave the ring on a saucer at the end of the day.

 

[chrono]

Should be good for daily wear then.

 

[uber]

Chrono - thanks!

TL - the oval ones are topaz. Used a refractometer The square one i didn't bother with anymore