Hardness: 8.00
Refractive Index: 1.62-1.63
Specific Gravity: 3.54
Birthstone: December
Astral Stone:
Anniversary Stone: 4th, 23rd
Origination: Natural blue topaz is found in the URL Mountains of the former Russia.
Care & Cleaning: Soft polishing cloth, plain water rinse, mild solution of soap & water or commercial jewelry cleaner.
Fiction, Facts & Folklore:
Natural blue topaz is extremely rare and expensive. It is found in the Urals of Russia, sometimes associated with deposits of feldspar and smoky quartz.
The United States consumers buy more blue topaz than any other nation on earth.
Blue topaz is the most popular member of the topaz mineral group.
Nearly all blue topaz seen at retail today is in fact heat-treated white topaz.
Some of the best sources for white topaz include Brazil, Sri Lanka and Bolivia.
The colors of blue topaz are described in many different ways. The most pale variety is often called �sky blue�, while others carry names like �Swiss blue� or �Caribbean blue�. The most valuable shade of all is a deep blue variety commonly known as �London blue� topaz.
As it is with many other colored gems, the deeper the color, the higher its� value.
It takes a London blue topaz one full year to reach the marketplace.
The Brazilian Princess is believed to be the largest cut blue topaz in the world. This astonishing gem weighs over 21,000 carats. The Smithsonian numbers among its� collection a blue topaz of over 3,200 carats.
For more information, see �topaz" and "white topaz."