SourcingAug 19, 2025
Dubai’s Jemora Group Buys Diamond Miner LucapaThe investment company, founded by Dev Shetty, has acquired the struggling miner and its assets, including the Lulo mine in Angola.
OtherMay 21, 2015
Rocks On: With blue hues hot, topaz stays popular
In this edition of Rocks On, National Jeweler looks at how the vibrant blue shades of topaz continue to generate demand for the gemstone, even as price has increased.
Most blue topaz has undergone a treatment process to achieve the color, such as these irradiated stones. (Photo by Robert Weldon. (c) GIA)
New York--If the Tucson gem shows in February were any indication, blue stones of all shades are having their day.
Blue remains a popular color in jewelry right now, and in fact was one of the colors that was trending in Arizona this year. Topaz, which provides a variety of blue hues at an affordable price point, is getting a lift from this trend.
The treated blue topaz has both high clarity and a consistent, bright hue, making it ideal for custom cutting, the Gemological Institute of America’s Gem Encyclopedia says, and providing gem cutters with unique opportunities for interesting shapes.
Kaiser Gems’ Noelle Abi-Habib said that demand has been highest for the Swiss blue topaz, but also notes that they have seen a dramatic increase for the London blue material in recent years. “Blue is a color that is easy to sell across many markets,” she says. “But ultimately, everything is trend based.”
Designer Amy Bruml of Bruml Design echoed the same thoughts, saying that the vivid hues of the blue topaz continues to sell well for her, especially given the price points.
The supply side
In terms of commercial goods, white (colorless) topaz and sky blue topaz are the most readily available in the market, while their London blue and Swiss blue counterparts are a little harder to obtain at the moment, according to Abi-Habib.
But even with its ready supply, colorless topaz is becoming slightly harder to come by, as many mining operations closed during the recession and never reopened, driving price upward.
The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, or NRC, also imposed strict regulations on the importation of blue topaz, which has had a small effect on the amount making it into the U.S. market.
Most blue topaz is not that color naturally; rather, many stones had to undergo some treatment process to achieve the blue colors that are so popular today. The irradiation process used to turn many of the topaz stones blue can “make the gems slightly radioactive,” according to the NRC, which is why the group regulates the initial distribution of these stones.
The NRC requires that the stones be set aside, typically for a couple of months, to allow any radioactivity to decay. Then, under the NRC license, a distributor is required to conduct radiological surveys before they are put on the market. The surveys are meant to ensure
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
that no gems are sold to the public until the radioactivity is below levels that pose health risks.
“These regulations reduced the ease of importation of blue topaz into the U.S. market,” Abi-Habib said.
Prices on the rise
The price for topaz is mimicking the trend that seems to be affecting all corners of the colored gemstone market--increasing across the board, with all colors becoming more expensive for buyers.
London and Swiss blue topaz are among the most expensive varieties of topaz due to the treatment necessary to change the stones from white to blue.
The treatment of London blue and Swiss blue topaz is a process that takes much longer to complete, which makes them among the most expensive of the species, whereas the treatment of white topaz into sky blue topaz may only take a few weeks.
Depending on the origin of the white topaz, too, the treatment may even take longer and require a longer cooling period to ensure there are not trace amounts of radiation.
The price of sky blue topaz, therefore, falls below its London blue and Swiss blue counterparts, and white topaz is even cheaper, though the aforementioned market factors are driving up even the price of that material.
“In the last three to five years, the price of white topaz rough has increased by more than five times,” Abi-Habib said. “This has obviously resulted in a big increase in the price of cut goods.”
Another contribution to the price increase of blue topaz may be the limited number of treatment facilities--there are only a few companies that have control over the access to nuclear reactors used to turn white topaz blue.
“I don't foresee a decline in the price of Swiss and London blue topaz, which will likely encourage manufacturers to seek less-expensive alternatives,” Ab-Habib said. “It is possible that sky blue topaz will see a rise in popularity due to its relative affordability in comparison to London and Swiss blue topaz.”
Consumer challenges
While various shades of blue topaz are popular right now, another desired hue for the gemstone is red.
Red topaz is one of the most sought-after topaz colors, according to the GIA’s Gem Encyclopedia, and represents less than one-half of 1 percent of gem-quality material produced.
This means that one of the issues with imperial topaz, which includes the stone’s medium reddish- orange to orange-red shades, is that it remains a stone about which the consumer knows little, Abi-Habib said.
Since imperial topaz comes only from one source, Ouro Prêto in Brazil, there isn’t a lot of product, which also means a higher price tag for the gem.
Its rarity, coupled with an increased price, means that it is used less in designer jewelry, so consumers aren’t exposed to it as much as other gemstones, especially its blue counterparts.
Yet Gina Taylor of gem wholesale Taylor Gem Corp. noted that topaz’s warmer colors could benefit from one of the colored gemstone market’s other hot trends--the popularity in peach and pink shades.
She told National Jeweler that their clients increasingly want to pair similarly-shaded stones with rose gold, and she sees that topaz could provide more affordable price points for such a look, meaning that there could be plenty of upside for this gemstone yet.
More on Other
The Latest
ColumnistsAug 19, 2025
Peter Smith: The Arrival Fallacy and Jewelry RetailSmith shares wisdom he gleaned from a podcast he was listening to one morning while being walked by his dog, a Malshi named Sophie.
CrimeAug 19, 2025
Customs Seizes 7,300 Pairs of Fake ‘Alhambra’ EarringsThe counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
MajorsAug 19, 2025
MJSA Apprenticeship Program Is Nationally RecognizedThe MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Weekly QuizAug 15, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
WatchesAug 19, 2025
Casio America Names New Timepiece Division ManagerCasio executive and watch enthusiast Masaki Obu is the new general manager of its U.S. timepiece division.
MajorsAug 18, 2025
Verragio’s Michael Barabash, a ‘Kind Soul,’ Dies at 58Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
CollectionsAug 18, 2025
John Hardy’s New ‘Dot’ Collection Is on PointOriginally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.
Events & AwardsAug 18, 2025
IJO Announces 2025 Vendor of the YearAllison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.
FinancialsAug 15, 2025
In Q2 Results, Pandora Talks Tariffs, Q4 Plans The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.
EditorsAug 15, 2025
Piece of the Week: Etho Maria’s Showgirl-Approved Ruby Drop Earrings Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.
WatchesAug 15, 2025
Audemars Piguet Acquires Majority Stake in ManufacturerIts investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.
MajorsAug 15, 2025
Rio Grande Names New Marketing DirectorNicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.
CollectionsAug 14, 2025
In Midst of ‘Sardine Girl Summer,’ Pippa Small Looks to ‘Flounder Fall’Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.
MajorsAug 14, 2025
Casio America Names New CEOLongtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.
SourcingAug 14, 2025
West Coast Orgs to Host Trading Event, Mixer in LAThe full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Cristiano Ronaldo Proposes With Gigantic Oval-Cut DiamondModel Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
ICA Names 2025 Board of DirectorsThe board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.
TrendsAug 13, 2025
Colorado Jeweler, Whiskey Maker Collab on Ring GiveawayThree winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.
SurveysAug 13, 2025
These Are The 25 Hottest Retailers, Says NRFJD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.
SourcingAug 13, 2025
Columbia Gem House Launches Winza Sapphires, RubiesThe new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.
SourcingAug 12, 2025
Gemfields Sells Fabergé for $50MAcquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.
Policies & IssuesAug 12, 2025
Higher Tariff on Chinese Imports Paused for 90 Days, Trump SaysPresident Donald Trump issued an executive order extending the pause on higher tariffs to November as negotiations with China continue.
CollectionsAug 12, 2025
Jacquie Aiche’s New Collection Harnesses the Energy of the ThunderbirdThe “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.
ColumnistsAug 12, 2025
Creative Connecting: How to Take a Better HeadshotColumnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.
CrimeAug 11, 2025
Man Convicted of First-Degree Murder in Death of Colorado JewelerPeter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
