With its splendid hue and unpretentious charm, the blue topaz is truly a lovely gemstone. And in today’s article, we’re going to discuss which metal best enhances its beauty.
But First, Some Background
Available in three colour variations (Sky, Swiss, and London), the blue topaz is a semi-precious stone that’s greatly valued for its stunning hues. However, it is important to note that naturally occurring blue topazes are extremely rare. Because of this, majority of the gems found in the market today are actually colourless or extremely light blue topazes that have been treated (via heat or irradiation) to achieve the desired shade of blue.
Which Metal Best Suits the Blue Topaz?
The answer to this depends on two major factors that are mentioned below.
1. Durability
The blue topaz has a rating of 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which means that this gem is quite sturdy. However, it also possesses the gemstone cleavage property, which makes it susceptible to breakage if dealt with an extremely hard blow. As such, this gem requires a relatively robust metal to protect it from any accidental trauma.
2. Colour
As mentioned before, the colour range of a blue topaz can vary from light to a deep bluish-green hue. This gem is also known for its immense sparkle and therefore it needs to be paired up with a cool-toned metal that’ll intensify its beauty without overpowering it.
Based on these two factors, the best metal option for the blue topaz is certainly white gold.
What You Need to Know About White Gold
Gold in its purest form is extremely malleable, which makes it unsuitable for use in fine jewellery. This precious metal, therefore, is generally mixed with a variety of other metals like copper, silver, nickel, zinc, etc. These materials do not just make the gold sturdier, but also change its colour.
As of today, there are three variations of gold and white is one of the most popular options. It is known for its silvery, white hue which is caused due to the presence of nickel, silver, and palladium in its chemical structure. This metal is also coated with rhodium to enhance its shine.
Here’s Why It Works
1) Durability: In comparison to yellow gold, white gold is far more durable. What’s more, this metal does not rust, tarnish or corrode, which makes it a great option for everyday use.
2) Complements the Blue Topaz: The bright white hue of this precious metal helps draw attention to the gorgeous blue shade of the topaz, thereby making it more eye-catching.
3) Fabulous alternative to Platinum: If you’re someone who loves platinum but finds it too expensive, then white gold is definitely the metal that you should consider opting for. It looks quite similar to platinum but is relatively more affordable.
Other Factors to Keep In Mind
1) Non-hypoallergenic: White gold can cause allergic reactions due to the nickel present within its structure. That said, it is possible to find hypoallergenic variations in the market today.
2) Requires re-plating: Depending on the usage, this metal may require rhodium re-plating after two or more years.
We hope this article helped!
Also read: Blue Sapphire vs. Blue Topaz: What’s the Difference?
