Colorless/ Silver Topaz durability?

[chictomato]

Hi there I am looking to purchase a colorless topaz to create a ring that looks like this Topaz score 8 on the Moh scale, does it requires special care? What do you think of this Colorless Topaz or silver Topaz that the vendor consider? Thanks in advance!

 

[chictomato]

approx. 10X8mm emerald.

 

[ma re]

Topaz is among the most durable gemstones, but it does have a "weak spot" i.e. a cleavage plane. That''s a spot that, if hit hard enough and from the right angle, can make the stone split into parts. But diamond has the same characteristic and no one mentions it as a particularly big problem, so I guess it''s not such a big issue. My mom has a topaz ring for some 30 years now, wears it a few times a month and the stone is still nice and sparkly.

But look more closely at the photo of the ring and at that of the loose stone. Notice how these two stones have the same outline, but different facet patterns? That''s because one (that one in the ring) is an emerald cut, and the other one (loose) is a scissors cut. So by using that stone you could make a similar ring, but it will still look different and have a different kind of sparkle. If you still like that, no reason not to get this stone.

 

[chictomato]

Tks ma re for the reply! Topaz does not seem to be a popular stone amongst PSER, is there a reason to it? What are the points to note when purchasing a colorless topaz. Tks

 

[MonkeyPie]

Date: 1/17/2010 11:50:52 AM
Author: chictomato
Tks ma re for the reply! Topaz does not seem to be a popular stone amongst PSER, is there a reason to it? What are the points to note when purchasing a colorless topaz. Tks

I think because it is on the "cheap" end of the spectrum - it is easy to find, very inexpensive, and very common. Us PSer''s have a tendency toward the more awesome stuff

Personally, I rather like topaz. And I think the ring you are looking to make will be lovely! I would keep in mind what ma re mentioned though, about the stone in the ring and the loose stone being two different cuts.

 

[chrono]

A topaz needs no special care. The cutting looks good in the vendor's picture and I don't see any issues. I guess the vendor's stone isn't cut in an emerald cut to allow the topaz to be more lively. It is going to be a different look than your inspiration picture ring.

 

[Indylady]

I think the topaz you''re looking at might be in a scissor cut (not positive though) so I have to agree with Chrono...while its outline will be the same, the look might not be.

 

[chictomato]

Date: 1/17/2010 12:15:14 PM
Author: MonkeyPie

Date: 1/17/2010 11:50:52 AM

Author: chictomato

Tks ma re for the reply! Topaz does not seem to be a popular stone amongst PSER, is there a reason to it? What are the points to note when purchasing a colorless topaz. Tks

I think because it is on the ''cheap'' end of the spectrum - it is easy to find, very inexpensive, and very common. Us PSer''s have a tendency toward the more awesome stuff

Personally, I rather like topaz. And I think the ring you are looking to make will be lovely! I would keep in mind what ma re mentioned though, about the stone in the ring and the loose stone being two different cuts.

Thanks to all the replies! ya its an inexpensive stone, what attracts me is the cut and hardness This is my first clear, colorless purchase, I thought it will be interesting to put it next to a diamond to see the differences

 

[Maisie]

Where will you buy the setting from? Its very lovely.

 

[chictomato]

Date: 1/17/2010 7:45:27 PM
Author: Maisie
Where will you buy the setting from? Its very lovely.

Hi Maisie! I shall wait till the stone arrive as I might be setting it into a halo pendant I will probably look for a 14k wg setting off ebay

 

[cellentani]

It may not be as popular, but I am a proud owner of a colorless topaz myself. If it''s cut and polished well, it can be quite flashy, but don''t expect much, if any, dispersion. I like the ring you posted, and think the scissor cut would look fine.

 

[chictomato]

Date: 1/17/2010 7:52:48 PM
Author: cellentani
It may not be as popular, but I am a proud owner of a colorless topaz myself. If it''s cut and polished well, it can be quite flashy, but don''t expect much, if any, dispersion. I like the ring you posted, and think the scissor cut would look fine.

Tks for the reply cellentani! I would LOVE to see your colorless topaz! do upload some photos at your free time! TIA

 

[cellentani]

Date: 1/17/2010 9:30:21 PM
Author: chictomato
Tks for the reply cellentani! I would LOVE to see your colorless topaz! do upload some photos at your free time! TIA

Here''s one, chictomato, but you can see more on this thread.

 

[chictomato]

I have to say that its really well-cut! Pardon me for saying, but I personally feel that it outshine all the other gems in the photo hopefully mine will turn out as great!

 

[FrekeChild]

I have a couple silver/colorless topaz supernova ovals from Barry, and they are stunning. I actually had them both set into a silver necklace for my wedding, and the piece got quite a few compliments. Agreed that it will not exhibit any dispersion, but they really are quite flashy, and hard to take decent photos of. Mine always look gray/dark because they reflect my black camera so well on the facets. If you do a search for supernova and topaz a couple of my threads should come up...

I like colorless topaz specifically because they can be purchased at huge sizes for very cheap prices. Many precision gem cutters won''t deal with them at all though because it''s such a cheap stone that they can''t sell them for much profit...

 

[Stone Hunter]

Oh I like it!!

But I''ve seen the scissor cuts in person and thought that they were cool. It is a different look and gives much more sparkle than a standard emerald cut.

I also think that hardness and cutting are very important in colored stones. Hope you get it and love it.

 

[chictomato]

Date: 1/18/2010 1:44:44 PM
Author: FrekeChild
I have a couple silver/colorless topaz supernova ovals from Barry, and they are stunning. I actually had them both set into a silver necklace for my wedding, and the piece got quite a few compliments. Agreed that it will not exhibit any dispersion, but they really are quite flashy, and hard to take decent photos of. Mine always look gray/dark because they reflect my black camera so well on the facets. If you do a search for supernova and topaz a couple of my threads should come up...


I like colorless topaz specifically because they can be purchased at huge sizes for very cheap prices. Many precision gem cutters won't deal with them at all though because it's such a cheap stone that they can't sell them for much profit...

Thanks for the reply and the references! that's a picture heavy post The value of a stone does not really matters to me, I prefer to look out for untreated gems with excellent cutting, quality and hardness (i hate scratches...

 

[chictomato]

Date: 1/18/2010 1:55:52 PM
Author: Stone Hunter
Oh I like it!!


But I''ve seen the scissor cuts in person and thought that they were cool. It is a different look and gives much more sparkle than a standard emerald cut.


I also think that hardness and cutting are very important in colored stones. Hope you get it and love it.

Tks Stone Hunter! I will certainly post some pictures when it arrive in the next 2 days

 

[chictomato]

Hi there I had received the colorless topaz and will be keeping it I do like the cutting. I am not sure if to set it as a ring or pendant. What do you think? TIA

 

[chictomato]

one more

 

[chictomato]

One more question, the corners are cut, it measures 7.6X10.4mm, will it fit this 8X10mm mount?ring mount TIA

 

[chrono]

Looks like a very bright stone and although the link doesn’t work for me, my guess is that a 10x8 mm setting should work.

 

[oddoneout]

I like the ring setting and the stone you purchased. I think the stone would look nice in a ring or pendant.

 

[Arcadian]

Thats a pretty topaz! the sphene in my avi is scissorcut, but dosen''t look quite like your stone. Could just be a modification thereof though.


-A

 

[chictomato]

Date: 2/5/2010 7:52:34 AM
Author: Chrono
Looks like a very bright stone and although the link doesn’t work for me, my guess is that a 10x8 mm setting should work.

Hi I'm sorry about the link. here it is , do note that the corners do not seems to fit my topaz..ring mount

 

[cellentani]

I like the white topaz a lot, and I even the cut better than the emerald shape in your inspiration pic. I thought of you the other day because I managed to pick up another white topaz, maybe for a necklace. I think your stone would be beautiful in a ring. If you''re unsure about it fitting, then email the dimensions to the vendor - I''d even include the cut corner dimensions (measure from the center of one cut corner to the other, across the stone in a diagonal). Two 8 x 10mm stones can have the same dimensions if you measure across the straight sides, but if their corners are cut at different depths, they''ll possibly require different prong placement.

 

[chictomato]

Date: 2/5/2010 2:10:58 PM
Author: cellentani
I like the white topaz a lot, and I even the cut better than the emerald shape in your inspiration pic. I thought of you the other day because I managed to pick up another white topaz, maybe for a necklace. I think your stone would be beautiful in a ring. If you''re unsure about it fitting, then email the dimensions to the vendor - I''d even include the cut corner dimensions (measure from the center of one cut corner to the other, across the stone in a diagonal). Two 8 x 10mm stones can have the same dimensions if you measure across the straight sides, but if their corners are cut at different depths, they''ll possibly require different prong placement.

Thanks you Cellentani! Do post a photo of you Topaz! I am currently looking at this pendant mount In 14k wg, what do you guys think? TIA

 

[cellentani]

Date: 2/6/2010 1:12:04 AM
Author: chictomato

Thanks you Cellentani! Do post a photo of you Topaz! I am currently looking at this pendant mount In 14k wg, what do you guys think? TIA

chictomato, I like the pendant too - it''s hard to say which I like better!

I posted a couple of pics on page 40 of the Catch All thread, and here are a couple more:

 

[cellentani]

And another in my Intergem setting:

 

[chictomato]

Date: 2/6/2010 10:30:59 AM
Author: cellentani

Date: 2/6/2010 1:12:04 AM

Author: chictomato


Thanks you Cellentani! Do post a photo of you Topaz! I am currently looking at this pendant mount In 14k wg, what do you guys think? TIA

chictomato, I like the pendant too - it''s hard to say which I like better!


I posted a couple of pics on page 40 of the Catch All thread, and here are a couple more:

Wowow that''s a cool looking Topaz! I had just purchased an affordable silver ring setting from ebay. Shall keep you update when its set! What do you intend to do with your Topaz?