Opinions of Krypell?

[meresal]

I am a colored stone virgin... this is my first post over here, so please be gentle

Does anyone own his peices? Do you like them? Are they durable?

My birth month is March and I am looking for a really nice piece that I can wear with a blue stone. I'm not a huge fan of the band and gallery, they are a bit much... but I wonder if this is a great deal I jsut can't pass up.

The Topaz size is 14x16mm. Are there key things that I should know about purchasing Topaz?

I am looking at this ring... any opinions?

 

[Indylady]

The problem I'm seeing with that blue topaz is that it is probably irradiated--which is a major treatment that 'deepens' or 'enhances' the color of a blue topaz. It might not be as well; you'll have to email the vendor to see. Many major designers, including Tiffany and David Yurman, use treated gems.

Some don't mind treatments, but to many on the CS board, a gemstone treatment can be thought analogous to a clarity-enhanced diamond over on the diamond boards..so its up to you if this treatment is something that you are ok with.

Otherwise, topaz is a pretty inexpensive gemstone. Here's a link http://www.litnon.com/index.php?page=view&cat=58.. Unless you are really tied to that piece, or that designer, I'd commission a custom project with a precision-cut topaz.

 

[chrono]

Almost all blue topaz are irradiated so most gem lovers and collectors shy away from that, preferring something untreated. However, if you like it, you like it and what others think doesn’t matter. The treatment is permanent, stable and there is no health risk in wearing it. What you are paying for is the designer name and setting because loose blue topaz cost anywhere from a few dollars to no more than $100.

 

[Fly Girl]

Here is a commercial quality topaz in a pear shape for $20. http://www.precisiongem.com/html/Commercial/CommercialCut.html

Dana at mastercutgems has some nice big topaz stones that your jeweler could set as a pendant. http://www.mastercutgems.com/index.php?page=view&cat=265

Blue topaz has an attractive color, especially for the price point. As others have said, you should not overpay for the stone, because it has treated to create the color.

 

[LD]

Hi Meresal - no need to be worried, we're a pretty friendly bunch over here but are most definitely coloured gemstone junkies!

Blue topaz, as everybody else has said, is normally irradiated. Natural blue topaz is quite pale and much more difficult to come by. Irradiated topaz is relatively cheap and can be found at the lower price point - so please please please don't overpay. If you love blue topaz then definitely shop around - Ebay actually isn't a bad place to look either (not for other gemstones unless you know what you're buying but okay for topaz).

Just a FYI, other Topaz has typically been coated (rather than irradiated) - the ones that look incredibly pretty and vibrant. Unlike irradiation, the coating can be scratched off so it's not durable. They'll also have exotic names like Mystic Topaz, Flamingo Topaz, that sort of thing!

Hope that helps.

 

[meresal]

Thanks everyone! Passing on this one... I will heed your advice and shop around for a much less expensive stone and then find a setting that I love!

So much to learn.