Topazes

Topaz is the affordable large stone. At Mohs 8 it scratches harder than quartz and most of what a ring meets, and it grows in crystals big enough that size costs far less than it does in almost anything else. The catch is cleavage: topaz splits cleanly along one plane, so it takes a sharp knock badly however hard it is. Bezels and protected seats suit it.

Sky, Swiss and London blue sit here beside white and warm sherry tones. Mystic topaz is the rainbow one, and its shimmer is a microscopically thin surface coating rather than body color — never re-polish it, and keep it away from ultrasonic cleaners. Standard millimeter sizes throughout.