Fourth Anniversary Stone: Blue Topaz
The fourth wedding anniversary stone is blue topaz, an affordable, durable blue. Here's what it is, how it holds up to everyday wear, and how to turn it into a piece worth keeping.
Key takeaways
- The fourth anniversary stone is blue topaz on both the traditional and modern lists, according to the International Gem Society.
- Most blue topaz is treated to reach its blue: the natural stone is usually colourless and gets its blue from irradiation and heat.
- Blue topaz is hard, at a Mohs rating of 8, which makes it a strong everyday stone for rings and all other pieces.
- It is one of the better-value blue gems, so your budget buys a large, clean, brilliant stone.
- Blue topaz comes in named shades, from pale sky blue through Swiss blue to the deep London blue, so you can match a partner's taste.
- Vanhess sets and remakes blue topaz pieces in-house at our Coquitlam studio, so a stone can be built into a ring, pendant, or earrings to fit.
What is the 4th anniversary stone?
The fourth anniversary stone is blue topaz, and the traditional and modern lists agree on it, so there is nothing to reconcile. Blue topaz appears at year four on the classic list and on the modern list alike, as confirmed by the International Gem Society. There is one honest thing to say up front: the blue you see in most blue topaz is not natural. That is not a problem, but you should know it going in.
What blue topaz is
Topaz in nature is often colourless or a pale brown. The vivid blues that fill jewellery shops are almost always produced by treatment: the colourless stone is irradiated and then heated, which brings out a stable blue. This is a standard, accepted practice across the trade, and the colour does not fade. The result comes in named shades. Sky blue is the palest and softest, Swiss blue is a bright electric mid-tone, and London blue is a deep, slightly steely dark blue. Blue topaz is hard, sitting at 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which measures scratch resistance. That is a strong number, well above quartz, and it means blue topaz stands up to daily wear in any kind of piece, including rings. You can see how an 8 compares in the IGS durability guide, and there is more detail on our topaz page.
Why blue topaz for the fourth year
Blue topaz has settled into the fourth-anniversary slot fairly recently, helped by how well it suits the moment. Four years in, a couple is past the fragile early stretch and into something calm and settled, and a clear, cool blue reads that way: steady, easy, unshowy. We would not sell the stone on symbolism alone, but it fits. It is worth adding that blue topaz shares its blue with the more expensive aquamarine, so it gives a similar cool-water look for far less, which is a practical reason it has become popular for a mid-run anniversary.
Choosing a blue topaz piece
Blue topaz is a gift that punches above its price. Because it is affordable and available in large clean crystals, you can buy a genuinely big stone without a big spend, which makes it ideal for a statement piece. A large blue topaz cocktail ring has real presence for the money. A pendant lets the colour sit against the skin and catch light as it moves. Because the stone is hard at 8, you have freedom that softer gems do not give you: it can go into a ring worn every day without much worry.
- Statement: a large blue topaz ring or pendant, since size is cheap here.
- Everyday: its hardness of 8 makes it safe for a daily ring.
- Match the shade: sky blue for soft, Swiss for bright, London for deep and moody.
On care, blue topaz is straightforward but has one quirk: while it resists scratches well, it can chip or cleave on a sharp, hard knock, so avoid banging the setting. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally fine for topaz, but if a piece has other stones in it, treat the whole piece to the gentlest safe method. Strong, prolonged sunlight is best avoided over years, as it can very slowly lighten some treated blues.
Because Vanhess has a goldsmith on-site in Coquitlam, a blue topaz piece can be built rather than bought off a shelf. We can set a stone in the shade you choose, size a ring to fit, or match a topaz to a partner's existing jewellery. If a made-to-order piece suits, our bespoke anniversary work is where to start, and the full anniversary stones guide maps out the later years. Blue topaz also links neatly to November's birthstone, so it can double as a birthday gift.
Turn your fourth anniversary stone into a piece you’ll wear
Bring the year, the stone and a rough budget. Our on-site goldsmith in Coquitlam will design it with you — reset a stone you already own, or build something new around the right gem.
Prefer to talk? Call our studio at (604) 653-6449.Frequently asked questions
What is the 4th anniversary stone?
Blue topaz is the stone for the fourth anniversary on both the traditional and modern lists. It is a clear, cool blue gem that comes in shades from pale sky blue to deep London blue.
Is blue topaz natural or treated?
Most blue topaz is treated. The natural stone is usually colourless, and the blue is produced by irradiation and heat. This is standard, accepted practice in the trade, and the resulting colour is stable and does not fade.
How hard is blue topaz and can I wear it daily?
Blue topaz sits at 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, which is genuinely hard. That makes it a strong everyday stone suitable for rings, though you should still avoid sharp knocks because it can chip on impact.
What shades of blue topaz are there?
Three named shades are common. Sky blue is the palest and softest, Swiss blue is a bright electric mid-tone, and London blue is a deep, slightly steely dark blue. Choose the one that suits the person.
Is blue topaz expensive?
No, it is one of the better-value blue gems. Because it comes in large, clean crystals at a modest price, you can buy a big, brilliant stone without a big spend, which makes it great for a statement piece.
How do I care for blue topaz?
Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush. It resists scratches well but can chip on a hard knock, so protect the setting. Avoid very prolonged strong sunlight over the years, as it can slowly lighten some treated blues.
Is blue topaz the same as aquamarine?
No, but they share a similar cool blue look. Aquamarine is a beryl and far more expensive; blue topaz gives a comparable water-blue colour for much less, which is part of why it is a popular anniversary choice.
Can Vanhess make a custom blue topaz piece?
Yes. We have a goldsmith on-site in Coquitlam, so we can set a topaz in the shade you choose, size a ring to fit, or match a stone to existing jewellery, and build a ring, pendant, or pair of earrings around it.