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Talking Topaz: More Than Blue

 

        Every month sees a new wave of conversations about birthstones in the jewelry industry.  If you’re used to having these conversations with colleagues and clients, then you know that November birthdays are often unfamiliar with the full variety of colors of their birthstone  – Topaz

 

Topaz is available in a full spectrum of blue hues from delicate Sky Blue Topaz to bright and clear Swiss Blue Topaz, and rich and moody London Blue Topaz.


Topaz also creates a full palette of warm-toned colors.  Precious Topaz is characterized by golden honey and amber yellows, as well as juicy peach, coral, and orange shades. Imperial Topaz, from Ouro Preto, Brazil is the rarest variety of Topaz, and is prized for its saturated pinkish-orange and fiery red hues. 


There is no shortage of inspiration when creating jewelry for September Sapphire or May Emerald, but finding inspiration for November Topaz can be tricky. 

 

Below are four color palettes celebrating the full range of Topaz to inspire you throughout November. 

Palette 1: Fire & Spice

 

Topaz paired with Garnet, Sapphire, Tourmaline, Zircon

 

 

Palette 2: Burgundies & Blues 

 

Topaz paired with Garnet, Ruby, Spinel, Tourmaline

 

Palette 3: Airy Blues & Grassy Greens 

 

Topaz paired with Garnet, Peridot, Sapphire Tourmaline

 

Palette 4: Sherbet Sunrise 

 

Topaz paired with Garnet, Tourmaline, Zircon, Sapphire

 

 

Feeling inspired and want to see more?

Browse the New Arrivals in our gemstone inventory!

 

💠 Image Sources

Palette 1: 1 2 3 4 5
Palette 2: 1 2 3 4 5
Palette 3: 1 2 3 4 5
Palette 4: 1 2 3 4 5

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Noelle’s Notes: Zircon

As a second generation gem dealer, I’ve been surrounded by gemstones my entire life. I have been learning about rough and faceted gems, experiencing their beauty and diversity hands-on for as long as I can remember. My passion for gems and fascination with the glorious ways that mother earth creates such beauty is boundless.

I hope to share my passion, knowledge, and insights to help my jewelry designer clients build a deeper understanding of the stones that I sell, inspire their creativity, and solve design problems, so that they may tap into this knowledge as a resource when designing and selling.

Noelle’s Notes is my way of sharing my valuable insights, key qualities, and unique features of colored gemstone materials in a format that you can refer back to whenever you need a refresh. 

To kick off this series, I have chosen to feature Zircon, a scintillating gemstone material that is growing in popularity and recognition. A stone that I have always adored and believe is so underrated, for now at least. 

Something we should clarify right away: Zircon is NOT Cubic Zirconia, CZ.

Cubic Zirconia (CZ) is a man-made material often used as a diamond alternative.

Zircon is a natural gemstone. The oldest Zircon crystals date back over 4 billion years making Zircon the oldest
surviving minerals we have found on earth.

Zircon

Mohs Hardness: 6.5 – 7

Birthstone: December (along with Turquoise, Tanzanite,
and Topaz)

Color: Blue, Red, Pink, Yellow, Orange, Champagne, Brown,
Green, White (Colorless), Color-Change

Common Origins: Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Sri Lanka,
Myanmar (Burma), Madagascar, Brazil, Tanzania

Treatments and Enahancements:

– Color produced by heat treatment is stable

– Blue and red Zircon are typically heat-treated

– Champagne, light pink, and white Zircon may be heated or
unheated

– Color-change Zircon is usually unheated

Jewelry Use:

– Suitable for all types of jewelry

– Wear with care; avoid sharp impacts or rough handling

Care and Cleaning:

– Store separately to prevent contact with harder gemstones

– Clean using warm, soapy water and a soft toothbrush

– Do not use ultrasonic or steam cleaners

We’ve created a Zircon fact sheet for you to print and keep on hand as a helpful reference. Click on the fact sheet to
download a copy to save or print for your gemstone reference library.

Now that you have a basic overview of Zircon, let’s explore its standout features and why it’s a favorite of mine.

Powerful Sparkle

Zircon is a doubly refractive (birefringent) gemstone material, meaning it splits a single ray of light into two different rays when it enters the stone. In effect, there is even more light to bounce around the gemstone facets and flash back at you. This property is what gives Zircon its exceptional brilliance, sparkle, and fire.

The playful sparkle of a faceted Blue Zircon is like the sunlight glittering on moving water, shimmering on a bright day. A rose cut champagne-colored Zircon flashes like a luxe disco ball, full of mesmerizing glamour. Orange and brown Zircon flash with an evocative, warm, and passionate fire.

Broad Color Palette

Color is the first factor we consider when discussing gemstones. Zircon is an exciting material because it offers us a
broad and unique color palette to design with.

There are delicate muted tones like rosy pink, soft apricot orange, champagne gold, elevated brown, and moody,
inky blue.

For a more vibrant color scheme, Zircon offers vivid hues of cerulean blue, bubble gum pink, ginger orange, and
sunny yellow.

Green Zircon is rare, but occurs in olive and deep green hues.

Even more rare, is color change zircon, typically changing in color from
green to blue depending on the light.

This 5.67 ct Color-Change Zircon from Burma is one of the newest pieces in
our inventory. This cushion cut stone transitions from a deep midnight blue
to a verdant forest green.

 

Cool Cuts

Working with gemstones is a practice of both art and science. Custom gemstone cutting is part of the legacy passed on to me by my father. My time spent managing our lapidary workshop in Bangkok, Thailand gave me detailed knowledge of how rough gemstones can be shaped into classic cuts, fancy cuts, and custom designed gemstone cuts.

I’m able to assess scientific qualities of gemstones: crystal forms (habits), how these forms impact how crystals display color, and how they interact with light. This foundation of scientific knowledge and practical experience supports my creativity when planning gemstone cuts to create the most beautiful stone from each piece of rough.

Zircon is an incredible stone to work with because it stands out in both classic and fancy cuts. Geometric, sharp cornered shapes and elongated facets accentuate Zircon’s sparkle with broad flashes of light.

Rounded cuts with numerous small facets capture Zircon’s sparkle creating a shimmering pool of light.

 

Great Value

I love introducing designers to Zircon because its price point allows designers to focus on their vision and craft while working with materials they truly love.

Zircon provides impactful color and brilliance that are a perfect fit as matched pairs and center stones, at a price per carat that allows clients to work with larger gemstones and stay on budget.

Our gemstone inventory celebrates Zircon’s beauty by highlighting the gemstone’s diverse color range and cut variety.

I love Zircon so much that this year I made myself my very own three stone ring in 18K yellow gold featuring 2 champagne-colored Zircons
and one rose-colored Zircon.

I hope our discussion of Zircon filled you with inspiration!

Browse our inventory of Zircon.

 
 

Noelle’s Notes: Zircon As a second generation gem dealer, I’ve been surrounded by gemstones my entire life. I have been […]

Spring through fall is wedding season, a time when retail, press, and event calendars revolve around engagements, ceremonies, and anniversaries. As jewelry professionals, we often accompany our clients through all of these milestones.
Whether the wedding season ramps up for you in spring or continues year-round, let these ideas spark new ways to connect with clients and incorporate fine colored gemstones into meaningful, memorable designs.

 

Photo by Constantin Panagopoulos on Unsplash
Something Blue (with a twist)

“Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue…”

This beloved tradition is a perfect opportunity to create personal, sentimental jewelry using fine colored gemstones.

 

How to Sell It:


Refresh an heirloom.
Replace a damaged or under-loved stone in a treasured piece with one of our vibrant blues. Use our custom filters to easily browse by cut, material, or shade.

 

Add a personal touch.
Add a personal touch by combining gems from our inventory with your client’s existing jewelry, like adding blue charms to a favorite pair of huggie hoops or setting stones into a simple cufflink.

 

 

Need inspiration?

Explore our beautifully varied selection of tourmaline, aquamarine, zircon, and more to help your client find their perfect “something blue.”

 

 

                   

Browse Blue Stones

 

 


Thanks, Bestie!

 

Brides and grooms often want to thank their closest people with a gift that’s meaningful and personal—something they’ll actually wear long after the big day

 

How to Sell It:

 

Keep it thoughtful, not extravagant.

We offer stones across a range of price points, so you can help clients create gifts that feel special without going over budget.

 

 

Design with ease.

Our calibrated stones and broad selection of materials make it simple to design matching pieces that work beautifully with any color scheme.

 

Make it memorable.

Fancy shapes and custom cutting options help create pieces that feel one-of-a-kind—perfect for gifts that go far beyond the wedding day.

 

 

                    

Browse Stones Under $500          Browse Parcels           Browse Designer Cuts

 

 

<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-wearing-gray-dress-3394237/">Photo by Inga Seliverstova </a>
Dressed to Attend

When it comes to weddings, guests often spend a lot of time shopping for the perfect outfit—whether buying, renting, or styling something in a new way for the occasion. Jewelry is an essential part of completing that look, yet it’s often an afterthought. By positioning fine jewelry as a key element of wedding guest dressing, you can help your clients elevate any outfit with pieces that become lasting wardrobe staples.

 

 

How to Sell It:

 

 

Design a bold go-to.

Create a powerful piece of jewelry using gemstones that pop. Bold designs can transform a classic black dress or speak to a client’s signature style, making one standout piece the secret to effortless event dressing.

 

Create pieces that mix and last.

Classic designs pair effortlessly with rental looks or an evolving wardrobe, while high-quality gemstones and craftsmanship ensure these pieces become staples your clients will wear again and again.

 

Replace one-hit wonders.

When natural gemstones meet your expert craftsmanship, the result is jewelry that’s made to party and stay in rotation. Unlike costume pieces, these designs aren’t just for one night—they’re built to last.

 

                    

 

Browse Bi-Color Stones

 

<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/jewelry-on-a-silk-sheet-4714615/"> Photo by Leeloo The First </a>Meaningful Gifts for the Big Day

Weddings are full of meaningful traditions, and jewelry gifts are a beautiful way to honor those moments. Whether designing a gift exchanged between the couple on their wedding day or a deeply personal present from family and friends, jewelry adds lasting significance.

 

How to Sell It:

 

Offer thoughtful guest gifts.

Remind your clients that jewelry isn’t just for the couple to exchange. Wedding guests can give meaningful, lasting tokens of celebration through jewelry gifts that go beyond the usual registry roundup.

 

Highlight meaningful gemstones.

Encourage your clients to choose stones that tell a story by sourcing birthstones or gems from places that hold special memories for the couple. It’s more than jewelry; it’s a keepsake filled with personal meaning.

 

Create coordinating couple’s sets.

Suggest designing two matching or complementary pieces for the bride and groom. It’s a wearable love story, connected designs and gemstones that celebrate their bond in style.

 

Feeling inspired and want to discuss wedding jewelry with us? Reach out!

Spring through fall is wedding season, a time when retail, press, and event calendars revolve around engagements, ceremonies, and anniversaries. […]

Birthstones

Noelle’s Notes: Zircon

Noelle’s Notes: Zircon As a second generation gem dealer, I’ve been surrounded by gemstones my entire life. I have been

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