Topaz is a history-making gemstone. While many under appreciate this jewel in modern times, it’s steadily returning. One variety that’s gaining attention is Marambaia Topaz. This blue gem is one of the highest quality blue topazes, known for its distinctive color and clarity.
Which Topaz is the Most Expensive?
Topaz comes in many colors. Among these, Imperial topaz is the most valuable. In general, most reddish topaz gems fetch a higher price due to their natural origin. Topaz comes from a Sanskrit word, tapas, meaning “fire.” And for those gems, a fiery appearance is sought after.
However, blue topaz is a more popular gem despite red stones’ higher prices. Three varieties of the blue gem are widely recognized. From lightest to darkest, these are sky blue topaz, Swiss blue topaz, and London blue topaz.
Among blue topazes, Marambaia Topaz is a frequent top choice that commands top dollar. High-quality material typically displays either a Swiss blue or London blue color.
Whether you love fire or ice, there’s a topaz gem for you. Shop LC offers this and other gemstones at the best prices, thanks to close industry relationships. There’s no reason to pay a 100 to 300 percent traditional retail markup!
What Makes Topaz Blue?
Blue topaz starts as colorless rough stones that undergo heating or irradiation to introduce a variety of blue tones. These shades range from delicate sky blues to medium Swiss and deep London blues. Of these, the Swiss blue type is the most popular.
Is Marambaia Topaz Treated?
Like other blue topazes, Marambaia Topaz undergoes treatment to introduce its popular blue color. Once processed, cut, and polished, these gems are remarkably eye-clean, meaning inclusions within the stone are not visible to the naked eye. The polished rocks have a sparkling luster reflecting like glass, making them truly captivating.
A unique topaz quality is its durability. With a hardness ranking of eight on the Mohs scale, it is an ideal choice for daily wear. It is just below well-known gems like sapphire, ruby, and diamond in terms of hardness, making it suitable for any jewelry piece meant to stand the test of time.
Marambaia topaz also holds significance as a birthstone. Traditionally, topaz and citrine are the modern birthstones for November, with topaz associated with citrine’s yellow to orange yellows. However, Marambaia Topaz is an excellent alternative for anyone wishing to introduce a complementary color to transition from fall to winter. It’s also associated with Sagittarius as their birthstone.
Where is Topaz Mined?
The name “Marambaia Topaz” is derived from the mine from which it is sourced, located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Brazil is known for producing high-quality topaz, often fetching a premium. The mine lies within the Jequitinhonha Valley of Minas Gerais, a region renowned for producing minerals and gemstones. This mine has operated since the early 20th century and is known for producing high-quality colorless topaz.
Mining for topaz is a complex process. Rough stones come to us through modern and traditional methods. Large open pits employ mechanical techniques, where machinery places rocks on conveyor belts. Workers carefully inspect them as they pass through, separating promising deposits from plain stone.
Independent contractors known as garimpeiros, who rely on traditional tools and techniques, also play a significant role in mining for Marambaia Topaz. These prospectors use picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows to search for topaz-bearing pegmatites and hand-wash and inspect collected ores for signs of topaz gems. Due to the mining difficulties and the scarcity of good-quality material, it can take over a year to supply enough rough material for a single event.
Are Topaz and Aquamarine the Same?
At first glance, a blue topaz and an aquamarine look like the same gem! However, blue topaz and aquamarine are different gemstones.
What is the Difference between Topaz and Aquamarine?
Blue topaz is a variety of the mineral topaz, an aluminum silicate with fluorine. On the other hand, aquamarine is a variety of the mineral beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate.
Blue topaz has various blue hues, ranging from pale sky blue to deep London blue. As the name suggests, aquamarine has a distinct blue-green color reminiscent of the ocean. It can range from light blue to greenish-blue.
Blue topaz ranks eight on the Mohs scale of hardness, making it a durable gemstone suitable for daily wear. Aquamarine has a slightly lower hardness of 7.5 to 8, which means it is also durable but may be more prone to scratching than topaz.
Blue topaz occurs worldwide. Marambaia Topaz, known for its high quality, is found explicitly in Minas Gerais, Brazil. On the other hand, aquamarine comes from Brazil, Madagascar, and Zambia, with some of the finest specimens coming from Brazil.
Is topaz better than aquamarine?
Blue topaz has gained popularity as an affordable and attractive gemstone for jewelry due to its vibrant blue color and affordability. On the other hand, aquamarine has a long history of use in jewelry. It’s famous for its unique blue-green color and association with the sea.
There are fine specimens among each type. Ultimately, it’s up to you to preference. Do you prefer the more distinct blue of Marambaia Topaz or the oceanic hues of aquamarine?
Marambaia Topaz is steadily gaining recognition and appreciation in the world of gemstones. Its distinctive color, clarity, durability, and unique origin make it a desirable choice for jewelry enthusiasts and collectors. As its popularity continues to grow, Marambaia topaz will surely shine as one of the most sought-after gemstones in the market, drawing comparisons to high-quality aquamarines and captivating the hearts of gemstone enthusiasts around the world.
Find more Marambaia Topaz at Shop LC.
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