Silver and a bright blue stone is one of the easiest combinations in jewellery to get right, and blue topaz is the affordable way to do it at a size that would be unthinkable in sapphire. The part worth getting right is the setting, because topaz has one property that catches jewellers out.

The stone

14.17 carats, which is 15.57 ratti. Shape: oval, faceted. Recorded colour: blue, in the vivid Swiss grade. Rs. 28,340, Rs. 2,000 per carat, reference GS-00066.

The thing to tell your silversmith

Topaz is 8 on the Mohs scale, so it will not scratch easily — harder than quartz, agate or aquamarine. But it has perfect basal cleavage, which means the crystal has a plane along which it will split cleanly under a sharp knock or sudden pressure. Hardness and toughness are different things, and this is the gap between them.

What follows from that:

1. No pressure settings. Tension mounts and tight channel settings put directional force on the stone. Avoid both.
2. A protective bezel or sturdy claws. The girdle is the vulnerable edge. A full bezel is safest; four or six substantial claws are fine if they sit over the girdle properly.
3. No heat during setting. Tell the setter before they reach for a torch near the mount.
4. Keep the profile moderate. The less it stands up, the fewer knocks it takes.
5. 925 sterling silver. Anything lower tarnishes badly and wears thin at the shank.

Why silver suits this stone

A bright mid blue against white metal reads clean and modern; yellow gold pushes it slightly green and makes the whole piece warmer and more traditional. For a Swiss blue, silver or white gold keeps the colour exactly as you see it in the photograph.

The colour is treated, and that is normal

Blue topaz gets its colour from irradiation and heating — standard for the stone, stated on our specification sheet, and true of effectively all blue topaz sold anywhere. It begins as colourless topaz, which is common; the treatment is permanent and the colour does not fade with ordinary wear. Our blue topaz guide explains the process and the grades.

Daily care

Warm soapy water and a soft brush. Never an ultrasonic or steam cleaner — vibration and sudden heat are exactly what a cleavage plane does not forgive. Take the ring off for gym work, gardening and anything with a hammer. Store it apart from harder stones.

Measurements

Exact length and width have not been recorded for this piece. Send your finger size on WhatsApp at +92 308 887 3888 and we will measure the stone and quote a mount separately from it.

Ordering

One piece only. Flat Rs. 500 delivery anywhere in Pakistan, insured and tracked, dispatched in one to two working days. Cash on Delivery, seven days to return it unused. More sizes in the blue topaz collection.

This particular stone

This listing is one natural blue topaz with a weight of 14.17 Carat. Its price is Rs. 28,340 — roughly Rs. 2,000 for each carat. Treatment: irradiated & heated. Quote reference GS-00066 when you message us about it. The photographs show this exact stone, so what arrives at your door is the piece you chose on screen.

Above twelve carats you are into collector territory. Pieces this heavy are usually set as pendants or kept loose, and they are prized for the size of rough they came from. If you do set it, choose a bezel or a heavy claw to protect the edges.

On the Mohs scale blue topaz rates 8. Few materials will scratch it, so it copes well with everyday ring wear. A soak in warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright; skip the ultrasonic cleaner if inclusions reach the surface.

Whoever you buy blue topaz from, make sure of three things: the stone is natural rather than lab-grown, glass or glass-filled; any treatment is stated in writing; and the weight quoted is the weight of the finished stone. We check every blue topaz for those three points before it is listed, a certificate is available on request, and because you pay on delivery you can look at the stone — or have it tested — before any money changes hands.

We sell natural stones only and inspect each one before it is listed. Treatment for this stone: Irradiated & heated. Certificate available on request. As general background (not a statement about this stone): Blue topaz gets its blue colour from irradiation and heating — this is standard for the stone and the colour is stable. Ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what we know about this exact stone; independent lab testing is available on request.

A certificate of authenticity is available on request for this stone, and independent laboratory testing can be arranged. Because you pay on delivery, you can also take the stone to a lab of your choice within the 7-day return window. Read more on our authenticity page.