Aquamarine Gemstone Information

About Aquamarine - History and Introduction

Aquamarine is a blue to green-blue gem-quality variety of beryl. The beryl group of gemstones is most famous for chromium-rich green emerald, one of the 'precious four' gems (diamond, sapphire and ruby are the remaining three). Aquamarine is an official birthstone for those born in March. Aquamarine is exceptionally hard and has an outstanding vitreous glass-like luster. It is most famous for its breathtaking sea-blue colors which can range from pale light blue to medium-dark blue. The name 'aquamarine' was derived from an old Latin expression which meant 'seawater'.

Aquamarine and emerald belong to the same family, but they are surprisingly different. Aquamarine and emerald are both beryllium aluminum silicates, but emerald is colored by trace amounts of chromium (and sometimes vanadium), while aquamarine obtains its color from iron impurities within colorless beryl (goshenite). Aquamarine and emerald have essentially the same specific gravity and refractive index, but emerald tends to be hazy and full of inclusions, while aquamarine is known to occur with excellent transparency and clarity.

Identifying Aquamarine Aquamarine Origin Buying Aquamarine Aquamarine Gemological Properties Aquamarine Varieties Aquamarine Mythology Aquamarine Jewelry Aquamarine Gemstone Care

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Identifying Aquamarine

Aquamarine, and other types of beryl are quite durable and hard, ranging from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. A dark and deeply saturated blue is the most desirable and valuable aquamarine color. Other varieties of beryl include morganite, goshenite, golden beryl (heliodor), green beryl and bixbite. Aquamarine can typically be identified by its unique sea-blue colors. It is rather hard and has a vitreous luster. Aquamarine stones have excellent clarity and transparency compared to many other similar gems. The intensity of color and the clarity of the stone are the most important criteria when evaluating aquamarine, followed closely by quality of cut. Aquamarine is colored by trace amounts of iron and testing of composition, trace elements and its six-sided crystal structure can easily distinguish it from other blue-green stones.

Aquamarine Origin and Gemstone Sources

The leading producer of aquamarine is Brazil, with many mines spread throughout the country. Other deposits of aquamarine are sourced from Australia, Myanmar (Burma), China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as in several U.S. locations. Karur, India recently has become one of the biggest suppliers of aquamarine.

World-Famous Aquamarine

The largest find of gemstone quality aquamarine dates back to 1910 when the "Minas Gerais" mine in Marambaya, Brazil, unearthed a stone of 243 lb (110.5 kg), 18 inches (48.5 cm) long and 15.5 inches in diameter, that was cut into many gemstones with a total weight of more than 100,000 carats. The 'Dom Pedro', weighing 26 kg and cut in Idar-Oberstein, Germany in 1992 by the gemstone designer Bernd Munsteiner, is the largest single piece of aquamarine to have ever been cut.

Buying Aquamarine and Determining Aquamarine Gemstone Value

Aquamarine Color

Like seawater, aquamarine can be pale to light-blue, dark-blue, blue-green and green-blue. The more saturated the color, the higher the value, although almost all aquamarine is typically a lighter blue tone. A deeply saturated blue is the most desirable color, but it is very rare in larger specimens. The intensity of color is one of the most important criteria when evaluating colored gemstones, but unlike other gems, aquamarine is not diminished by lesser color intensity as most aquamarine is quite pastel and many people prefer the crystal-clear lighter gemstones over the richer, deeper colors.

Aquamarine Clarity and Luster

Aquamarines of the best quality are eye-clean, transparent gems. Some gems can carry inclusions of long, hollow rods, a trademark of the beryl family. Aligned traces of foreign minerals, a rare feature, cause a cat's eye effect (chatoyancy) or star effect (asterism) with six rays in a vivid sheen. These specimens are available as cabochon cuts. Cat's eye aquamarine when found in high quality, can command very high prices. Six-rayed specimens with asterism or 'star aquamarine' is exceptionally rare and very valuable. Aquamarine has a vitreous (glass-like) luster when cut.

Aquamarine Cut and Shape

Aquamarine is available in both faceted and cabochon cuts. Beryls are particularly well-suited for rectangular or square cuts. The most favored cut for aquamarine is an emerald step-cut. Brilliant cuts with long or rectangular shapes are also very popular. Turbid and chatoyant specimens are cut en cabochon, as well as cat's eye and star aquamarine specimens. Skilled gem cutters can facet any shape imaginable with aquamarine. The most common cuts are traditional shapes such as round, pear, oval and cushion. Fancy cuts are difficult to find in larger sizes. Aquamarine and other types of beryl are sometimes carved into ornamental figures and animal gemstone carvings.

Aquamarine Treatment

Aquamarine is typically untreated, but some material may be heated to improve color. Heating at low temperatures will reduce unwanted green and yellowish tones. Darker shades of aquamarine are often heated, as well as lower quality stones (usually at 725-850 F or 400-450 C) in order to obtain a more favorable blue. Heating at higher temperatures results in discoloration.

Aquamarine Gemological Properties:

Please refer to our Gemstone Glossary for details on gemology-related terms.

Aquamarine: Varieties or Similar Gemstones:

Buy Cat's Eye Aquamarine

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl group of minerals. There are quite a few different gemstone-quality varieties of beryl, most of which are classified based on color and coloring agents, such as green emerald. Aquamarine also occurs with chatoyancy (cat's eye aquamarine and asterism (star aquamarine), which are extremely rare and very valuable. Other gems that can closely resemble aquamarine include Larimar, amazonite, tourmaline, sapphire and spinel.

Most Popular Related Gemstones and Trade Names:

Emerald, precious beryl, golden beryl, cat's eye aquamarine and morganite are the most popular related gemstones.

Lesser Known Related Gemstones and Trade Names:

Bixbite or red beryl, heliodor, green beryl and goshenite (colorless beryl) are lesser-known related gemstones.

Aquamarine Gemstone Mythology, Metaphysical and Healing Powers

According to legend, aquamarine originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has since ancient times, been regarded as 'the sailor's lucky stone'. Aquamarine derives its name from the Latin term for seawater and has a long tradition of being a stone for those who spend much of their time at sea. The Greeks and the Romans knew aquamarine as the sailor's gem too, believing that it ensured a safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. Legend has it that aquamarines were the prized possessions of many mermaids and would thus protect sailors from the dangers of sea, including warding off sea-sickness.

In Antiquity, as well as in the Middle Ages people believed that the cosmos is reflected in gemstones. It is no surprise that aquamarine is assigned to the planet Neptune and is also one of March's official birthstones. The esoteric movement revived the ancient belief and the gem industry made it another marketing tool to promote certain gems.

The healing powers of gems remains a controversial issue, but has been mentioned for centuries by healers, shamans and medicine men. Whether it's factual or a placebo effect, it truly doesn't matter as long as it helps people who need it. The best approach is to wear the gemstone in contact with the skin, especially close to the injured or troubled part of the body. Aquamarine is said to be of help for arthritis, eye inflammation, sore throat and varicose veins.

Aquamarine Gemstone and Jewelry Design Ideas

Aquamarine is a decorative gem that complements almost any skin or eye color, which makes it an all-time favorite for women the world over. It is a popular gem, that is easy to wear, readily available, moderately priced, and steadily growing in popularity and demand. Aquamarine possesses a durable hardness, which qualifies it for any type of jewelry application, including wearing in aquamarine ring designs. Emerald, the sister stone of aquamarine, is usually oiled to fill fractures and improve color, but aquamarine requires no special treatment and is suitable for all kinds of jewelry, including daily-wear rings. Aquamarine stone are exceptionally popular as earrings. Furthermore, perfect, transparent, six-sided crystals are occasionally worn uncut as necklace pendants. In addition to rings, pendants and earrings, you can find aquamarine stones set as bracelets, necklaces, brooches and more.

Note: Buy colored gemstones by size and not by carat weight. Colored stones vary with size-to-weight ratio. Some stones are larger and others are smaller by weight in comparison to diamond.

Aquamarine Gemstone and Jewelry Care and Cleaning

Aquamarine is one of the more durable of gemstones, but it still requires careful handling and care. Avoid wearing aquamarine jewelry when working around harsh chemicals. To prevent scratches, always store aquamarine gemstones separately from other types of gemstone and gemstone jewelry.

When cleaning, you can use warm soapy water and dry aquamarine gems and jewelry using tissue or a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse your stones well to ensure all soapy residue is removed. Wrap your stones in a soft cloth when storing them for extended periods of time, or place them into a fabric-lined box.