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The Many Lovely Looks Of Topaz

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Those born in November have the glory of two birthstones—citrine and topaz—but the latter expands those options in many ways. With its wide variety of colors, topaz is a fascinating gemstone, with a long line of looks the average customer probably isn’t even aware of.

Robinson Pelham Pomegranate earrings
Pomegranate earrings in 14k yellow gold with blue topaz and diamonds, $3,750; Robinson Pelham
Effy topaz ring
Ring in sterling silver with blue topaz, $425; Effy Jewelry

Take blue topaz, for example. We love it, we know it. We see a lot of it. But it still has the power to really dazzle, and many designers and brands harness that power in ways that amaze.

Mirta Gisbert citrine and topaz earrings
One-of-a-kind mismatched earrings in 14k white gold with 13.35 cts. t.w. blue topaz and 10.5 cts. t.w. citrine, $5,000; Mirta de Gisbert
Lauren K pink topaz necklace
Fringe necklace in 18k yellow gold with 5.61 cts. t.w. pink topaz and 0.15 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,635; Lauren K
Julie Lamb imperial topaz ring
Rosé All Day ring in 14k rose gold and platinum with imperial topaz and diamonds, price on request (sold); Julie Lamb

Precious topaz, also known as imperial topaz (like the one pictured at top), is a stone lesser seen and highly revered (ergo, more expensive). That peachy pink is exquisite and often has many wondering, “What is that gem?” Aptly named, it is believed that one of the ways it got its moniker was because of the Russian royal family’s insistence on keeping the finest colors of topaz, according to GIA.

And then there’s mystic topaz, which sounds, well, mystical. Its appearance fits the bill, too: a result of coating colorless topaz with a thin, artificial film, this heat-treated topaz gets a cool rainbow effect. It’s a party in a gemstone.

Bondeye Jewelry pink topaz pendant
Heart pendant in 14k yellow gold with pink topaz, $700; Bondeye Jewelry
Nadine Aysoy Catena pink topaz ring
Catena ring in 18k rose gold with 4.3 ct. pink topaz, $4,440; Nadine Aysoy
Fred Leighton topaz earrings
Circa 1920s earrings in platinum with golden topaz and old European–cut and baguette diamonds, price on request; Fred Leighton
Misahara Duga clasp
Duga Clasp bangle in 18k yellow gold with 6 cts. t.w. smoky topaz, $5,000; Misahara

Speaking of rainbows, topaz runs the gambit: red (though very rarely), orange, yellow, blue, and violet—plus pink and brown—it offers all the makings of the perfect multicolor piece of jewelry.

Top: Ring in platinum and 18k rose gold with 6.68 ct. cushion-cut imperial topaz, 1.2 cts. t.w. tapered topaz baguettes, 0.94 ct. t.w. round red spinel, 0.32 ct. t.w. diamonds, and 0.01 ct. alexandrite, price on request; Omi Privé

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By: Brittany Siminitz

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