Blue Topaz vs Aquamarine: What Will You Pick? -

You’d be surprised to know there are quite a few similarities between an aquamarine and a blue topaz. These gems can give a tough competition to one another not just in physical appearance, but other characteristics as well. Take a look at our comparative analysis to find out what is different between them, and which one you should pick.

Natural vs Lab Grown Gemstone

Blue Topaz vs. Aquamarine: What’s the Difference?

Due to similarity in their hue, the blue topaz and aquamarine are two jewels that are sometimes mistaken for one another. But that’s where their similarities end.

Join us today as we point out the differences between these popular semi-precious jewels, and discuss which one might be better for you.

1. Chemical Structure

Blue Topaz: In simple words, this gemstone is an aluminum, hydroxyl-fluorine silicate with an Al2(F,OH)2SiO4 chemical formula.

Aquamarine: The aquamarine, on the other hand, is a beryllium aluminum silicate mineral and has a Be₃Al₂SiO₆ chemical formula.

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2. Color

Blue Topaz

Depending on the amount of iron and chromium impurities present within its chemical composition, the blue topaz can be found in three distinct colors.

a. Sky blue: This particular variation is identical to the aquamarine and features a sea-blue hue.

b. Swiss blue: These topazes are slightly intense in appearance and commonly associated with the color of the Caribbean Sea.

c. London blue: These gems are extremely saturated and generally sport a dark bluish-green shade.

Aquamarine

Based on the trace amounts of iron in its chemical structure, aquamarine can be found in hues ranging from pale blue and sea blue to greenish-blue.

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3. Rarity

Blue Topaz: Believe it or not, naturally vibrant blue topazes rarely occur in nature. Having said that, white and pale blue topazes that are treated to achieve the desired hue are easily available in the market today.

Aquamarine: This gem, including those in large sizes, is more commonly found.

4. Birthstone & Anniversary Status

Blue Topaz: This gem is known for being one of the November birthstones, and also the celebratory stone for the 4^th wedding anniversary.

Aquamarine: Similarly, the aquamarine is the official birthstone of March and the traditional gem for the 19^th anniversary celebration.

5. Symbolism

Blue Topaz: This gem has often been associated with love, fidelity, success, opportunity, communication, and wisdom.

Aquamarine: In contrast, aquamarine has long been considered the symbol of peace, friendship, courage, and loyalty.

6. Durability

Blue Topaz: With a rating of 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, the blue topaz is one of the toughest silicate minerals present today. Having said that, it does showcase perfect cleavage, which means that while it can be used frequently, a hard blow can still result in breakage.

Aquamarine: This gemstone has a rating of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness and has no gemstone cleavage. It is, therefore, a considerably durable jewel.

7. Affordability

Blue Topaz: Most of the blue topazes found in the market today are actually colorless variations that have been treated to gain the desired hue. As a result, they are generally quite affordable.

Aquamarine: These jewels, while also pocket-friendly, are slightly more expensive than the blue topaz.

Which Gemstone Should You Choose?

If you’re looking for a gorgeous jewel that is easy on the wallet and can be worn often, then the blue topaz is a great option for you. On the other hand, if you want a more popular gemstone option that is easily recognizable, then aquamarine is what you should opt for.

Needless to say, both the blue topaz and aquamarine are incredible jewels in their own right. And regardless of which one you pick, we’re sure that your gemstone will wow the crowd.

Good to Know

Aquamarine and Swiss blue topaz can give a tough competition to each other on almost all scales. Both these gems are found abundantly in nature that too with amazing clarity. They’re loved for their sea-blue color that offers the kind of freshness that most other precious gems don’t.

However, it is important to know that almost all blue topaz stones are derived by heat treating pale or low-quality colorless topaz. Since the latter is found in plenty, the production of this gem is subsequently high. This is precisely why blue topaz stones (both Swiss and London) are very affordable. Aquamarines also undergo treatment, but only to enhance the color (similar to a blue sapphire and ruby).

Verdict

There’s more demand for fine aquamarines than treated blue topazes of the same quality. The former also belongs to the beryl family of minerals, which includes the famous green gem – emerald. Unlike topaz that occurs in a rainbow of colors, aquamarine has a very narrow color range, i.e. blue or greenish-blue. These factors add to its popularity and make it more desirable.

Bottom line: A good-quality aquamarine offers excellent value for money. If you can afford one then you must certainly go for it. If not, a Swiss blue topaz will be a wonderful alternative.

Get your hands on Angara’s beautifully aquamarine jewelry and blue topaz jewelry. These collections offer you statement-worthy rings, earrings, pendant necklaces and bracelets. Each piece can be easily customized according to your style requirement and budget by selecting the metal, carat weight and gemstone quality. What are you waiting for? Hurry up and explore our natural gemstone jewelry collection right away!