London blue topaz jewelry

About london blue topaz

London Blue Topaz is a a deep blue variety of topaz, an aluminum fluorosilicate mineral, treated from colorless topaz through irradiation and heat to produce its signature color rated 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, London blue topaz rates 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. For context, a steel nail is roughly 6.5, sapphire is 9, and diamond is 10. At 8, the stone is hard, though topaz has perfect cleavage which makes it more vulnerable to chipping than aquamarine or sapphire. Protective settings are recommended for rings, and the stone should be removed before activities involving sharp impacts.. Its color ranges from deep teal-navy blue, the darkest and most saturated of the blue topaz varieties, with a sophisticated almost steely quality, with the most prized stones showing even saturation and high clarity.

Topaz has been used in jewelry since antiquity, with the name likely derived from Topazios, the ancient Greek name for Saint John's Island in the Red Sea. Natural blue topaz is exceptionally rare, so virtually all blue topaz on the market today, including London blue, is produced by treating colorless topaz with irradiation followed by heat. London blue is the darkest of the three main blue topaz grades, after Swiss blue and sky blue. Most topaz rough comes from Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, and Pakistan.

Historically, london blue topaz has been associated with calm, honesty, and strength of conviction. In crystal healing and metaphysical traditions, blue topaz is associated with the Throat Chakra. It is linked to clear communication, integrity, and the confidence to speak from one's own perspective. Practitioners often use it as a stone for self-expression and steady focus, themes that align with topaz's role as a November and December birthstone.