THE GEMSTONE LIBRARY
Swiss Blue Topaz
Swiss Blue Topaz in sterling silver pendants from June 2024.
A color name, rather than an origin
Swiss Blue is a trade name for a bright blue shade of topaz. It does not mean the stone was mined in Switzerland.
How the blue is produced
Strong blue topaz in the jewelry market is generally produced by irradiation, often followed by heat treatment of initially pale or colorless topaz. GIA documents how these treatments make a range of blue hues available. The Swiss Blue name describes the resulting color range, rather than a separate mineral species.
Our pendants
The main photograph shows our June sterling silver pendants, with the second photograph retained below. A collection image records their appearance; it does not identify the individual treatment facility.
Reference: GIA: Topaz Quality Factors.
Reference: Gems & Gemology, Winter 1988: blue topaz irradiation and trade color names.
