BlueTopazNecklaces

All three are the same mineral, blue topaz, separated by color. London blue is the deepest, an inky teal that can look almost gray in low light and glows in the sun, and it is the shade most people mean when they say blue topaz. Swiss blue is brighter and more saturated, an electric blue that reads almost tropical under lights. Sky blue is the palest, closer to a summer morning than to ocean water, and it flatters cooler skin tones and softer wardrobes. This collection stocks necklaces in all three, so you can match the blue to the person rather than settle for one default.

Blue topaz is a real, natural gemstone from the topaz family, and every stone in this collection is genuine natural topaz, not glass or an imitation. Almost all blue topaz on the market, here included, starts as near-colorless natural topaz that is treated with heat and irradiation to bring out the blue, a stable and permanent process that has been standard in the trade for decades. The color does not fade with normal wear. Topaz rates an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, harder than quartz and well suited to a necklace, though it prefers to avoid sharp knocks against harder stones.

Most pieces here fall between 16 and 18 inches, and the two lengths wear differently. A 16 inch necklace sits high near the base of the throat and shows well above a collar or an open neckline. An 18 inch necklace, the more popular of the two, drops just below the collarbone and works with almost any outfit. Several designs adjust between the two so the wearer can choose. If the person likes to layer, a shorter blue topaz pendant over a longer gold chain is an easy, current look, and a small solitaire or station is the simplest to stack with necklaces they already own.

It is one of the best value gifts on the December list. December carries several birthstones, including turquoise, blue zircon and blue topaz, and blue topaz gives you the most color and durability for the price of the three. A London blue solitaire reads as a proper December birthstone without the cost of a sapphire, and a diamond-halo version lifts it to anniversary territory. Because the stone comes in three distinct blues, you can also tailor the shade: deep London blue for someone who likes drama, pale sky blue for someone who keeps things soft.

Match the design to how the person wears jewelry. Someone who keeps things plain will get the most use from a solitaire, a bezel-set stone or a small station, all of which layer easily and shrug off daily wear. A birthday or anniversary that calls for a little occasion suits a diamond-halo or French-set pendant, where natural diamonds ring the topaz and add sparkle. Shape matters too: a pear or heart reads romantic, a bar or disc reads modern, and a circle or geometric frame leans contemporary. When in doubt, a London blue solitaire in white gold is the safest choice, because the deep teal goes with nearly everything.

Yes, with a little care. At 8 on the Mohs scale topaz is hard enough for regular wear, and the solid gold and platinum settings are built to last. Bezel-set and station designs handle daily life best, because the metal guards the stone and nothing sticks up to snag. For the diamond-halo pieces, treat them a touch more gently and keep them for occasions if you work with your hands a lot. Keep any blue topaz away from perfume and hairspray, store it separately so harder stones do not scratch it, and clean it with warm water and a soft brush.

Three things move the price: the metal, the size of the topaz and whether there are diamonds. Solid gold and platinum cost what they cost by weight, so a platinum setting sits above the same design in 14K gold, and a larger stone raises the price over a petite one. A plain solitaire is the most affordable way in, while a diamond halo or a French-set frame of natural diamonds costs more for the added stones and labor. In this collection that runs from around 530 dollars for a solitaire to just over 2,300 for the diamond geometric design. Every piece ships with free standard shipping, and free two-day express over 250 dollars.