Fourth Year Anniversary Gift Guide: Blue Topaz
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Blue topaz is the official fourth anniversary gemstone, making it a wonderful gift idea if you are looking for a more modern twist on traditional anniversary gifts. Blue topaz represents eternal love and loyalty, so it is only fitting to gift this gem on your anniversary to represent your lifelong commitment. The range of hues of blue topaz gives you a wide range of options to choose from, so you can find the piece that perfectly suits your partner's style and personality.
Brief History of Anniversary Gifts
Wedding anniversary gift traditions are rooted in the Victorian Era, when love marriages began to replace arranged and political marriages, evolving into the traditional marriages we see today. According to traditions first published in the 18th century and throughout the modern day, the traditional fourth anniversary wedding gifts are fruit or flowers. This could include lavish fruit baskets and flower bouquets, but other traditional fourth anniversary gift ideas could include fruit or flower-patterned clothing, pillows or home decor.
What is Blue Topaz?
Topaz comes from the Sanskrit word for "fire," and was originally used to describe any yellow or orange stone. It was eventually discovered that the mineral topaz can come in a large array of colors beyond yellow, including red, colorless, and, in rare instances, blue.
Blue topaz is incredibly rare in nature, commanding a very high price when it was first discovered. It was the rarest color of topaz on the market until 1970 when the first stable color enhancement process was developed to turn very common colorless topaz into blue topaz. In this treatment process, colorless or brown topaz is heated at very high temperatures until the gem develops its blue. Then, the gem is irradiated to further enhance the color. Nearly every blue topaz on the market today has been treated using heat or irradiation treatment, which is what makes blue topaz both a stunning and affordable fourth anniversary gift
Blue Topaz Color
When selecting your fourth anniversary gift, there is a range of hues to choose from to best suit your partner. There are three different shades of blue topaz for you to choose from when crafting your perfect fourth anniversary gift. These are London blue, Swiss blue, and sky blue, representing the most popular hues of blue topaz.
London Blue
London blue is the most popular shade of blue topaz on the market today, getting its name from the largest blue topaz in the world which resides in the permanent mineral collection at the London Museum of Natural History. This gem weighs in at a whopping 9,381 carats, all of which boast its signature deep and inky color. It is currently considered to be one of the most popular colors of blue topaz and is only slightly more expensive than other colors of blue topaz.
Swiss Blue Topaz
Swiss blue topaz is known for its bright blue color, falling somewhere in between London blue topaz and sky blue topaz. It is popular for its eye-catching, vibrant color, and is a great option if you are undecided between dark London blue topaz and the much lighter sky blue topaz.
Sky Blue Topaz
Sky blue topaz has the lightest blue color of all topaz shades, giving these gems a crisp, icy look. It is the least expensive option of all of the colors of topaz and even one of the most affordable gems on the market. This makes sky blue topaz an excellent option if you want to express your love on your anniversary in a way that doesn't break the bank.
Blue Topaz Earrings
A pair of blue topaz earrings will dazzle on the ears of your spouse, pairing well with most colors and suitable for any occasion. A pair of blue topaz studs could be the perfect choice if you are looking for a fourth anniversary gift that is simple yet versatile. If you are looking for something more dramatic, adding diamonds to the piece can give an even more dazzling look, such as these cushion cut swiss blue topaz earrings.
Blue Topaz Necklaces
A blue topaz necklace will be sure to turn heads, making for a beautiful and meaningful fourth wedding anniversary gift. Blue topaz necklaces can be found in a wide range of styles, including simple chains featuring a single gem to an eternity necklace with over 100 blue topaz gemstones. Whether you are looking for something casual or seeking to make a statement with your blue topaz necklace, you can find the right blue topaz necklace to celebrate your fourth wedding anniversary.
Blue Topaz Rings
A blue topaz ring would make for a meaningful fourth anniversary gift idea, beautifully complementing your partners' engagement ring or wedding band. The gem's brilliant blue color pairs beautifully with the silver sparkle of a diamond, so you can be sure the rings will not clash and will together create a cohesive look. A simple solitaire blue topaz ring can add a pop of color to your style, or you can opt for a blue topaz ring with a halo of diamond accents.
Blue Topaz Bracelets
A blue topaz bracelet as a fourth anniversary gift can add a dash of glamor to any outfit, coming in a variety of styles to suit any taste or occasion. A classic blue topaz tennis bracelet can be an elegant choice for anything from a formal occasion to everyday wear, with a range of gem sizes to choose from. If you're looking to make a bolder statement, you can opt for a bangle or cuff bracelet featuring a sparkling blue topaz to show off blue topaz's luscious color.
Caring for Blue Topaz
Blue Topaz is an 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, making it a very durable gem. While almost all blue topaz is treated to give it its color, this treatment is permanent, so there is no need to worry about damaging the gem's color or its fading. Although its hardness makes it more resistant to scratching, blue topaz is quite brittle. This means that the gem can easily chip or break. To protect your fourth anniversary gift, blue topaz should be cleaned with soap and warm water.
Amanda Butcher
Amanda is a student of geological sciences and environmental studies at Tufts University. She grew up hiking and mountain biking in the Bay Area and continues to explore nature and learn about the beautiful gems and minerals it forms in her free time.
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