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Origins of Blue Topaz
Blue Topaz can be found in sky blue, greenish blue, or an "electric" blue. Not only is Blue Topaz a beautiful gemstone and comes in a variety of colors, it also has many interesting legends attached to it.
Like the majoritytopazes, which are quartz crystals, Blue Topaz starts out as a virutally clear or a lightly tinted shade of crystal. The gem is then irradiated to bring out its blue color and heated to make the change permanent. The hue of blue depends on the type of radiation exposed to the quartz crystals.
Exposing the topaz crystals to neutrons in a nuclear accelerator transforms the color into a deep bluish-green or bluish-gray color commonly referred to as London Blue Topaz. Irradiating topazes with electrons in a linear accelerator will produce Sky Blue Topaz. To produce Swiss Blue or Electric Blue Topaz, the quartz is bathed in a combination of both kinds of radiation. The gems must "rest" for at least a year if treated with neutrons before their radiation levels cool enough to allow them to be worn by people.
Most blue topaz has a modest value, so there's little incentive for gemologists to create synthetic versions of the gem. By coating quartz crystals with titanium particles, a rainbow of colors is produce that is commonly referred to as Mystic Topaz. The titanium coating is usually quite fragile and is susceptible to scratches, so care must be taken while handling Mystic Blue Topaz
Even though Blue Topaz has a very unusual production technique, it performs wonderfully as a gemstone because it polishes up beatifully and has a very high refractive index. Blue Topaz makes a great durable gemstone, since it has a Moh's Scale of 8.
Blue Topaz is said to aid in the regulation of the heart, promotes glandular health, reduces fever and inflammations such as arthritis. On the other hand, the color of Blue Topaz is said to aid in meditation, discernment, and forgiveness. Its calm blue quality is said to help its wearers release their anger, especially from old hurts, fostering forgiveness and reconciliation that leads to a calmer, fuller life.
About the Author John S. Brana's collections of distinctive Blue Topaz Gemstone Jewelry include beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces designed to set the wearer apart from the crowd. Whether classic or contemporary, each piece is unique, meticulously handcrafted, and made from top-quality Blue Topaz gemstones.
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