Blue heaven: topaz pieces, sale alert!

A stone of depth and personality, topaz is most commonly-found in the blue variety.

Sale Alert!
Many pieces below are from Ross Simons; I'm posting today so you can catch a big sale, which ends August 2.


Get the blues

Blue topaz is one of the most-common gemstones, quite sturdy and abundant. It's also the official state stone of Texas. The blue comes from irradiation, a stable, safe and accepted treatment.

As with all coloured stones, a lively, transparent colour is paramount. You'll see a range of hues from palest blue (similar to aquamarine) through the popular pool-coloured "Swiss Blue", the deeper "London Blue" (shown, left), teal and the darkest, royal, which looks like sapphire, but more translucent.

I like to see blue topaz treated like one of the finest gems, set in high-carat gold.
Though I wear silver often, darker metal can drain topaz' character.

Birks Toni Cavelti Buff-top Blue Topaz Drop Earrings in 18kt Yellow Gold Price: $575. This is the palest I would buy, and see these earrings on a blonde.


7mm (about the size of a 1ct diamond) studs set in white gold, $135 from Blue Nile, a vibrant "Swiss Blue" for a good price.

Pearls and multi-shaped topaz on a 1 1/2" white gold hoop for $175 (and 15% off) from Ross Simons. Charm, movement, pleasing proportion, and the price is pleasing too- I'd expect to pay about this for the gold hoop alone.


Notice anything new, dear?

The relatively low cost of blue topaz gives you some serious real estate for your buck, so if you love statement earrings, check these.

Two tones of lush pear-cut topaz in a classic style: the bottom stones are 16x12mm (10 carats each), the top are 12x8 mm, and the setting, 14k yellow gold.

Price is $395 and there's currently a sale, 30% off and free shipping in the USA from Ross Simons. Oh, baby!

Turquoise and blue topaz ring, with a chunky 12x10mm Swiss Blue centre stone flanked by two turquoise cabuchons, set in 14k yellow gold.

Wear this summmer with white jeans or LBD, and in winter as the antidote to gray and gloom. $335 but again, 30% off through August 2 at Ross Simons.


Plays nicely with others

Blue topaz brightens multi-gem pieces. This 18kt yellow gold necklace features semi-precious buff-top gemstones of 9 x 7mm, and three each of peridots, amethysts, citrines, blue topaz and garnets. From Birks, $3,550.

At Ross Simons, a lower-priced version of the multi-stone chain, 11 stones of the same mix set in silver, $95 for the 18" length. I'd happily wear either!

Even more of a bargain is this pretty pair of Ross Simons multistone and pearl earrings, edged in diamond pavé, set in 14k white gold.

Now $385, reduced from $595. They are not my earrings, though I'd certainly admire them on someone else; they may delight you or someone you know. (Enter Item #476547 on Ross Simon's site.)