If it’s variety in color in a gemstone you are after, then the topaz is your answer! In the olden days, this November birthstone was used as a talisman of protection. Today, it is a marvelous lower cost alternative to the diamond or the sapphire, and it boasts a wide range of astonishing colors at an affordable price. Whether it is an engagement, a promise ring or simply a gift, you can be sure that a topaz ring shall set your beloved’s heart on fire.
When picking your topaz ring, there are certain factors to consider. Topaz grows in a variety of shades and each color has its own symbolic meaning. It is an 8 on the Mohs scale and is resistant to scratching. This makes a topaz ring highly desirable for those leading an active lifestyle. It is also a pleochroic gem, which means that it shows different colors in different directions – so before you buy a piece of topaz ring – always make sure you look at it from different view points – because it can look different! Indoors and out, a topaz ring is certain to dazzle under any condition of light. Here is what you need to know before buying a gemstone ring.
Color, clarity and carat size: What to consider in a topaz ring?
The value of a topaz lies more in its color than its size or clarity. The most valuable are red and rare pink topaz, while orange, brown, and yellow colors are more commonly available. You will also find the topaz in tones of purple and green. Yellow-brown stones are also known as “sherry topaz”, named after the color of sherry wine Meanwhile, two-color gems combine complementary colors to create a fascinating effect. Any of these might be a great option for the person bringing color to your life.
Imperial topaz
If you come across the term “imperial topaz”, that is the trade name for the rich medium reddish-orange or orange-red topaz, although it can also refer to gems with shades of certain saturations. The imperial topaz is highly prized for its rarity and could be a great ring to gift your beloved. Its blazing colors can command prices from $85 per carat for sizes one carat and smaller, to $1,000 per carat for larger stones. Rare stones can even reach $3,500 per carat, so if your heart is set on this stunning beauty, prepare your budget accordingly.
Pink topaz
The pink topaz (also known as rose topaz) has all the loveliness and glamour of a pink diamond or a pink sapphire for a fraction of the price. It comes in larger sizes too. It can go for $200 to $300 per carat while extraordinarily large and rare stones might cost as much as $5,000 per carat.
Blue topaz
Of all the types, the blue topaz is often the stone of choice. Its striking color and reasonable price make it an attractive choice for an engagement or promise ring. Popular types include Swiss Blue – a regular blue topaz that is sometimes confused with blue sapphires and aquamarine (compare Topaz and Aquamarine) – and London Blue, a darker variety with a specific steely dark blue hue that falls somewhere between the color of regular blue and sapphire.
Blue topaz can range in price from $1 to $27 per carat (as a result of excessive supply in the market) – so a Topaz ring makes for a great alternative to some of the more expensive gemstones. It does not increase dramatically in price if the size increases, although London Blue can be a little more expensive than Swiss Blue. It is a mass-market affordable gemstone because heat and radiation draw out the prominent blue hues from the more widely available colorless or white topaz. You can read this article to learn more about how treatments and enhancements make the color last longer.
White, yellow and brown topaz
If your heart is set on a white (colorless), yellow, or brown topaz ring, you might pay between $20 to $80 per carat. These eye-catching colors would be ideal on a promise ring.
Do Topaz Rings have inclusions?
Clarity of a gemstone is important – Unlike some gemstones such as Sapphire and Emeralds, Topaz is nearly always free of inclusions. It is usually “eye clear”, amongst the highest grades of clarity in a gem. Colorless (white), yellow, and blue topaz often have consistent high clarity and can dazzle in a ring. While visible flaws could reduce the stone’s value, rare colors like purplish-pink or imperial remain valuable even with inclusions thanks to their scarcity and can signal that you consider your beloved’s love a rare and valuable gift.
What Carat size is BEst for BLue Topaz Rings?
Like most gems, the size of the carat weight can significantly affect a stone’s value. However, the value of a particular topaz rises at different rates depending on its color. This is why rare stones such as the imperial topaz can fetch significantly higher prices above one carat. The blue or yellow might not increase much when the carat weight increases. Therefore, when considering what kind of topaz engagement ring you want to buy, think more along the lines of color instead of size and clarity. That way, you are likelier to be more satisfied with your choice in the end!
What is the best cut and shape for a topaz ring?
Topaz comes in the standard gem shapes such as round, oval, pears cushion, emerald, and triangle along with any custom-designed shapes that may suit the person you love. Topaz is incredible for a ring because it can be cut in a range of cutting styles and shapes, which you can learn more about here.
Since topaz crystals come in columnar form, they are often cut in pear- or long oval shapes. Meanwhile, emerald cuts draw out the color and weight of darker gems, although the round cut can toss out the bedazzling sparkle found in a diamond, especially in the London Blue.
The cut and shape of the stone can help control your cost. A topaz ring has a cleavage that can make it vulnerable to splitting and breaking, but a correctly cut topaz can last you a long time.
One stone or accent stones for your topaz ring?
Your budget will be affected by your choice to use one stone or accent stones: A three-stone design brings out the exquisite beauty of the stone better than you’d get from a singular large stone. You can pair this stone with other varieties to increase the ring’s brilliance or opt for diamonds or garnets.
If you can accommodate more than one stone in your budget, the creative applications for a topaz ring are limitless!
What metal is best for a topaz ring?
When set with the right type of metal, a topaz ring can make a bold statement. The sleek cleanness of white gold and platinum paired with topaz’s electrifying colors creates a chic distinguished aura befitting your beloved. Cool blue glitters when set in white gold. Warm rose and yellow gold contrast with the bright stone colors, particularly London Blue and Swiss Blue.
How to care for your topaz ring
Although durable, extreme pressure or even sharp changes in temperature could likely break the topaz. To preserve its color from fading, avoid exposing your ring to sunlight or heat for long periods. Similarly, avoid wearing it while taking a shower or even swimming as the chlorine could impair the gem’s color. If your ring has other precious accent stones, be sure to check out how to clean them too. Nevertheless, if you take proper care and regularly clean it, you can make your topaz ring last you a lifetime.
Should you consider topaz for your engagement or promise ring?
Certainly! Its affordability makes it an ideal option as a promise ring and its stunning hues make it even more appealing as an engagement ring. Even though the more popular diamond and sapphire stones overshadow it, the topaz is splendid on its own. It blends the sparkling colors with durability without sacrificing brilliance and elegance, making it perfect for your budget. A topaz ring will attract plenty of admiration and act as a reminder to keep your love colorful and strong as it did the moment you knew you’d met the one you wanted to spend the rest of your life with.