London blue topaz is an artificial gemstone created from Swiss blue topaz crystal grown in an environment high in copper. It was first introduced to the jewelry market by Tiffany & Co. in 1964. 

Depending on its formula, it can range from pale grayish-blue to deep blue, but some may also contain grey, green, and yellow hues. 

Some London blue topaz stones are irradiated to produce more intense colors or improve the color uniformity of the finished gemstones, while others are not treated at all. The most valuable shade is that with a slightly purple tone, which is rarer and commands higher prices on the market.

The LBT’s chemical structure is the same as its Swiss counterpart, but it contains higher impurities during growth. It results in a color that is more dynamic and has more luster than blue topaz. The chemical composition is CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8·4H2O, with copper being the main element responsible for its bright blue color while aluminum gives London blue topaz its hardness on the scale of 6 to 7.5.

History

The term “London by” was coined by Tiffany & Co. in an advertisement campaign in 1964, when they first introduced this new gemstone onto the market to attract consumers who were looking for something new and fashionably different at the time. 

Although no one knows for sure when blue topaz was first discovered in London’s underground, it is believed to have been around the early 17th century. However, also like other artificial gemstones, not all London blue topaz stones are mined. Most of them are synthetic or treated.

Difference Between Swiss and London Blue Topaz

There are many differences between Swiss blue topaz and its artificial counterpart; however, the most obvious one would be color intensity. Some believe that they can tell whether an LBT is real or fake by simply looking at its shade. Since your stone seems more vibrant than a regular blue topaz, it will indicate that it is created through artificial means, resulting in lower quality control than natural gemstones.

 It can also be told apart by looking at the back of the stone. An untreated Swiss blue topaz will not emit color when viewed from behind, but most artificial ones will give out a very faint bluish hue due to the high concentration of copper in its chemical composition.

Meaning

In many cultures such as Hinduism and Ancient Egypt, topaz symbolizes divine wisdom and good health. It also represents the sun because its color is similar to bright daylight, which has been believed to keep you healthy and bring positive energy your way. In some countries such as Brazil, it is even used as a birthstone for those born in November. 

Lastly, topaz was said to promote patience and perseverance, which are two highly valued traits.

As with most manufactured gemstones, London blue topaz is typically more affordable than its natural counterpart. However, top-quality ones can be just as expensive because they are rarer, and the clarity of the color makes them even more valuable. 

Since it belongs to the same family as Swiss blue topaz, its values usually vary in similar ways, meaning lower price does not necessarily make it an inferior product. If one can purchase this stone at around 15% less than its list price, then there is a good chance that they are getting a genuine product. 

Also, remember that not all blue topazes produced through artificial means will give out colored hues when viewed from behind. Some whose chemical composition has been altered to make them more affordable to grow but have not been copper treatment. It means that one does not need to pay for a pricey London blue topaz if they are only looking for a stone with a simple, clear shade of blue, which can be created quite easily through heating processes.

Is London topaz expensive?

London topaz price depends on the size and quality. Generally speaking, a one-carat London blue topaz will sell for around $35 to $50 per carat. However, larger stones can increase in value as they become rarer and demand rises as well. 

Other factors such as clarity and color intensity play a part in determining its price. Suppose you can find a prominent stone without any traces of imperfections or veins. In that case, the chances are that it is accurate, which is why many opt for custom cuts instead of those that have already been made into their desired shapes and sizes beforehand since this is where all the flaws will be revealed during the inspection.

Is London blue topaz rare?

There isn’t a straightforward answer to this question. Both natural and artificial stones are considered rare, depending on the criteria used to determine their value. Natural London blue topaz is rare because it’s challenging to find them in large sizes with high clarity, which means that most of them are typically small or have imperfections when viewed from behind due to the color being concentrated near their surface. 

On the other hand, artificial London blue topazes are created in large quantities through heating processes, so they offer a more comprehensive range of options in terms of size, color intensity, and location each comes from, but aren’t as valuable as natural ones because their chemical compositions vary significantly since they don’t go through the same geological processes which changes how much copper is stored inside. 

There are even instances where artificial stones are sold at prices that exceed those of natural ones because they are more valuable to some individuals. These are usually bought by investors who are looking for something that is rare but offers a high return on their investments regardless if it’s real or not. It is why it’s best to consider all factors before making a purchase.

Is London blue topaz natural?

It would be difficult for those who can’t distinguish between natural and artificial stones to determine which is real and which isn’t. However, some clues can show its authenticities, such as durability and visual properties. 

For example, natural London topazes tend to scratch more quickly than those created through heating processes since they aren’t as dense as their counterparts. Meanwhile, if it glows different colors such as pink or yellow when viewed from behind, then chances are high that you’re looking at a lab-created stone instead of a genuine one.

Is London blue topaz a birthstone?

London blue topaz is one of the few gems considered suitable for people born in December because it’s often associated with Christmas. It would indicate that it should have some personal significance since people typically don’t give birthstones based on holidays except if their zodiac signs fall under Sagittarius, Capricorn, or Aquarius for December through January. 

However, there isn’t much information about this topic due to its scarcity. As a result, it’s best to look into other alternatives right away before making any rash decisions.

Is London blue topaz hypoallergenic?

London blue topaz is usually treated using chemicals that can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially those with sensitive skin. However, this depends on the treatment used to make it more durable and enhance its properties. 

Most custom cuts are usually treated using a mild form of hydrogen peroxide, which seeps into the stone’s surface to brighten up its color but doesn’t penetrate too profoundly inside since it would change its composition in the process. 

It is why it would be wise for individuals who have allergies to ask their jeweler if their stones are hypoallergenic because the chances are that there might be a low concentration of chemicals present if they still retain their original color after being heat-treated or irradiated.

Who manufactures London blue topaz?

London blue topaz is an artificial stone accidentally discovered by jewelers looking for something different to use during the holiday season since it’s one of their busiest periods. 

They originally wanted to create pink sapphires but failed miserably because they didn’t realize that some copper-containing crystals are heated at very high temperatures to achieve the same properties without changing too much of their chemical composition. 

When this happens, there is a chance that it will emit radiation at specific wavelengths. In contrast, others react differently due to their mineral structure after being put into special ovens or chambers until they glow bright colors such as pink, yellow, and purple, depending on how much copper it contains.

Is London blue topaz a conflict stone?

Unfortunately, London blue topaz is one of the hundreds of gemstones that have reported links to violence in the past because diamond cartels are trying their best to control prices for these stones by manipulating supply and demand. 

It means that they will create synthetic ones to sell them at lower prices while still maintaining their quality and durability over time. However, there isn’t much information about this topic because it’s likely classified for national security reasons. 

Most governments don’t want their citizens overthinking about such things, which could cause panic within specific communities if it becomes widespread knowledge.

What does London blue topaz look like?

Since London blue topaz is an artificial gemstone, there are no direct substitutes for it since its chemical composition varies depending on each piece. 

However, if you need to compare it with another material, consider using cubic zirconia instead since they have the same chemical class and structure even though their impurities will make them look different from a distance. 

It’s important to note that London blue topaz is a multi-layered stone which means it has a similar appearance to colored glass due to how low-quality versions of this material were made in the past until jewelers started adding manganese during its manufacturing process. 

It allows light to enter into the stone’s cracks and release colorful reflections whenever sunlight or other types of light hits its surface at various angles.

Is London blue topaz radioactive?

London blue topaz is usually treated using radiation which can help brighten its color while keeping it manageable enough to cut into different shapes since the process was discovered by accident. 

It shows that some stones are usually formed in nature while others are manufactured in labs but have the same chemical properties. However, this means that there might be traces of radiation present if someone decides to test it under certain conditions, which could be hazardous depending on its level of exposure over time, even though the effects won’t be immediate. 

London blue topaz’s internal structure is likely complex due to how many crystals are layered together to produce a specific refractive index, so they emit light at particular wavelengths whenever they come into contact with certain types of energy.

What are the metaphysical properties of London blue topaz?

London blue topaz is also known as a spiritual stone since it can help practitioners achieve higher states of consciousness whenever they meditate with this gemstone because their bodies will start producing energy that can unlock specific portals within their pineal glands by removing any blockages that might be present to restore optimal function which leads to an increase in psychic abilities without side effects. 

Some people believe that crystal skulls contain powerful knowledge about alien technology. In contrast, others claim they have healing powers whenever someone places them against other parts of the body, but there isn’t conclusive evidence supporting these assumptions at the moment. 

However, it’s worth mentioning that many indigenous used different types of crystals for making spiritual tools, including crystal skulls that could contain information about their history, culture, and ancestors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, London blue topaz is a synthetic gemstone created in labs to make it affordable for anyone who wants to add one to their collection without spending too much money. However, there isn’t much information about its history or metaphysical properties since it’s likely classified for national security reasons. Most governments don’t want their citizens overthinking about such things, which could cause panic within specific communities if it becomes widespread knowledge.