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Blue Gemstones Information

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Lisag103

Shiny_Rock
Joined
Feb 25, 2020
Messages
250
Hey all,

So I have been chopping and changing on what I would like to get next. I had thought I wanted a larger lab diamond but at this stage I have quite a few diamond rings and would like to add some more color to my collection!

I am thinking I would like a large CS maybe with some sort of small diamond side stones (baguettes or bullets maybe!). Unfortunately I do not know where to start! I am drawn towards a blue stone for this and love love love the color of London Topaz.

My issue here is that this gemstone seems to be inexpensive and I don't know if that is just the cost or if there are more quality versions I should be looking out for. It seems strange to me to have an expensive setting made with gold & diamonds to have an inexpensive center put in. I feel like I am missing something here and when I search I am only seeing the cheap and cheerful options, but an clueless to gemstones so maybe I am not!

Does anyone have any advice on this? What should i be looking out for? Any other blue/teal gemstones (even dark green) i should consider? Grateful for any advice!
 
Topaz is cheap for two reasons. First is it's abundant, it's all over the place. Second is it's always treated. This strong saturated blue can only be achieved through irradiation, you don't get that naturally in an untreated stone. The value of the stone mostly comes from the cutting.

I personally don't see a problem in putting a cheaper stone in a more expensive setting. You're creating a piece for your enjoyment, so if you want topaz and diamonds, who's to tell you you can't have them together? But if you're looking for a more expensive alternative, teal sapphires are usually dark in tone similarly to london blue topaz. Plus teal isn't exactly what most people are looking for in sapphires, so they're definitely more affordable than other colours.
 
There's also tourmalines and zircon to consider!
 
ItsMainelyYou said:
There's also tourmalines and zircon to consider!
Click to expand...

And finer quality aquamarine, but beware of synthetics and irradiated material (only heated is fine).

If I had to choose though, I would go with an open color Afghan tourmaline. Open color means it won’t be too dark, and look overly dark in some lighting. You can find lighter blue tourmaline elsewhere, but Afghanistan is famous for them.

Here’s an example.

IMG_9996.jpeg

There’s nothing wrong with using an inexpensive London blue topaz in an expensive setting, if that’s the color you love. However, if you can afford it, fine blue tourmaline are exceptionally beautiful. Sapphire is super expensive in larger sizes, without being chemically enhanced. I think overall, the best bang for your buck is a tourmaline. Zircon is beautiful too, but they tend to get facet wear over time, so you must be careful.
 
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Thanks for the reply’s so far! I do agree that jewellery can just be fun sometimes, and I have lots of this type however I had it in my head I want an ‘heirloom’ piece for this which is why I want a quality gemstone (hope that doesn’t sound snobbish!) but I love the colour of the darker topaz!

I don’t want a traditional sapphire but must investigate the teal variety, it’s not something I’ve thought of before. I’m not sure the lighter blues like aquamarine or tourmaline appeal to me! It’s just not the colour I’m after.

So basically, I think what I’m saying is I want the look of a London blue topaz but for some mad reason I want to pay much more just so I can believe that it is better quality to hand down to my boys who probably won’t give a hoot! as I say it out loud I see how absurd that is!!! PS has me gone mad ha ha!!!
 
Lisag103 said:
PS has me gone mad ha ha!!!
Click to expand...

Eh. Welcome to the club.

Keep us posted on the search! I’d love to look at pretty pictures of teal sapphires.
 
Teal sapphires also seem to becoming more popular now. I too had a small obsession with London blue topaz before I really got into gemology but I prefer sapphires for the durability and the fact that you can get the gorgeous teal color naturally and without irradiation.
 
Lisag103 said:
Hey all,

So I have been chopping and changing on what I would like to get next. I had thought I wanted a larger lab diamond but at this stage I have quite a few diamond rings and would like to add some more color to my collection!

I am thinking I would like a large CS maybe with some sort of small diamond side stones (baguettes or bullets maybe!). Unfortunately I do not know where to start! I am drawn towards a blue stone for this and love love love the color of London Topaz.

My issue here is that this gemstone seems to be inexpensive and I don't know if that is just the cost or if there are more quality versions I should be looking out for. It seems strange to me to have an expensive setting made with gold & diamonds to have an inexpensive center put in. I feel like I am missing something here and when I search I am only seeing the cheap and cheerful options, but an clueless to gemstones so maybe I am not!

Does anyone have any advice on this? What should i be looking out for? Any other blue/teal gemstones (even dark green) i should consider? Grateful for any advice!
Click to expand...

I think if you have a ring made with a cheaper center stone, the one thing we know for sure is really just that you'll pay less for the overall ring, which is a win imo.

Sure, you might want a more expensive gem later. But then again, you might not. I think there is a tendency to want more and better when hanging around on jewelry forums too much lol. But then sometimes people go the other way too, and decide to start going for fewer or less expensive pieces.

And of course, jewelry should usually be thought of as a leisure expense, not an investment anyway. So if you're happy with a less expensive center stone, that's a want satisfied for less.

Imo it's likely our kids or their spouses won't care for any piece of jewelry we chose, so I don't really consider that, personally.

I've had many friends who might own, say, a blue topaz, citrine or amethyst ring with side diamonds but would think it was nuts to pay several thousand for any jewelry piece. So I do not think you are "missing" anything.

If I were you, I'd go with a London blue topaz, in a precision cut. :)

ETA: It looks like topaz is an 8 on the MOHS scale, so it's also more durable than most gems.
 
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i dont see anything wrong with blue topaz
they come in such lovely shades
i would say (as an owner of a windowed blue topaz) to spend your money on the perfect cut
 
There are more inky or London blue colored tourmaline as well.
example:
www.etsy.com

Ink Blue Tourmaline - Etsy

This Gemstones item by Lagoongemsco has 66 favorites from Etsy shoppers. Ships from Thailand. Listed on Oct 5, 2023
www.etsy.com www.etsy.com
www.etsy.com

Indicolite Blue Tourmaline 3.01ct - Etsy

This Gemstones item is sold by gloriousgemworld. Ships from Thailand. Listed on Sep 17, 2023
www.etsy.com www.etsy.com
yavorskyy.com

Indigo Blue Tourmaline 2.29 cts

Stone type:Tourmaline Weight: 2.29 ctsColor: Indigo BlueDimension: 11.36 × 7.22 × 3.48 mmShape & Cut Octagonal, Yavorskyy cut Treatment: Unheated and Untreated (No Indications Observed)Refractive Index: 1.618-1.643 Hardness: 7-7.5Specific Gravity: 3.1Optical properties: Doubly refractive...
yavorskyy.com yavorskyy.com

I also see absolutely nothing wrong with using topaz in your ring. If it's the color and size you desire, then it's the stone for you!
 
im still thinking about blue topaz
i think it would be awsome to see it in a nice quality setting
i get sick of seeing certain semi precouse gemstones set into silver or very cheap 10k settings in the window of one of the mall jewlers here
nice cuts of citrene, amathyst and yes blue topaz, all deserve better
 
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