Aquamarine
Aquamarine stone is a captivating blue variety of the mineral beryl. Revered throughout history for its vibrant hue reminiscent of the ocean, it continues to be highly sought after for use in fine jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. As the March birthstone, aquamarine gemstone has been traditionally associated with youth, hope, and health. Ancient cultures believed it to embody the essence of the sea, offering protection to sailors and bestowing them with courage. Modern enthusiasts prize its calm energy and uplifting color, making it a timeless choice for various types of adornments and collectors’ pieces.
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Aquamarine gemstone
Aquamarine is generally found in the same localities where ordinary beryl occurs. However, some of the most notable sources of aquamarine stone include Brazil, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka, where beautiful gem-gravel placer deposits yield exceptionally clear specimens. In Brazil, a green-yellow variety known as chrysolite aquamarine can be discovered, while in Madagascar, the deeper blue variety called maxixe has also been unearthed. Over time, aquamarine’s popularity has soared thanks to its beautiful color range, which can span from a delicate, pale blue to a richer, deeper ocean blue.
In the jewelry industry, aquamarine gemstone is celebrated for its good hardness and clarity, often fashioned into emerald-cut or oval-cut stones. Its transparency and brilliance lend themselves well to creative faceting techniques. Historically, large crystals have been shaped into statement pieces, such as regal brooches or grand center stones in necklaces. Even smaller gemstones can make a striking impact when set in solitaire rings or delicate pendants.
What makes aquamarine blue?
Aquamarine owes its unique blue color primarily to traces of iron (Fe2+) within the beryl crystal structure. When Fe3+ ions are also present, the stone can exhibit golden-yellow tones, culminating in a deeper blue hue when both Fe2+ and Fe3+ coexist. This interplay of iron ions explains the darker blue color of maxixe aquamarine. Notably, this color can be sensitive to prolonged sunlight or heat, causing some stones—especially maxixe—to fade over time. However, certain irradiation treatments can restore or intensify their original depth of color.
As a collector or wearer of aquamarine stone, it’s important to remember that artificial heat treatment is often used in the gem trade to enhance or stabilize the gem’s hue. Nonetheless, whether natural or heat-treated, the serene blue of aquamarine remains one of the most popular choices for those who appreciate its soothing look and timeless elegance.
Beryl
Beryl is a beryllium aluminum cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be3Al2(SiO3)6. Well-known varieties of beryl include emerald, heliodor, morganite, and aquamarine. Large, naturally occurring hexagonal beryl crystals can reach impressive sizes, occasionally weighing hundreds of pounds. In its pure form, beryl is colorless, and it gains its various hues from different types of impurities or trace elements.
The beryl family belongs to the hexagonal crystal system. Typically forming hexagonal columns, beryl can also appear in massive habits. As a cyclosilicate, its internal structure features rings of silicate tetrahedra arranged in columns along the C axis, creating channels that can accommodate different ions and molecules. These inclusions alter the stone’s overall charge balance, allowing various substitutions in the aluminum, silicon, and beryllium sites. Such substitutions contribute to beryl’s spectacular color range, of which the cool-blue aquamarine is one of the most admired and recognized.
Thanks to these structural channels, aquamarine can form with naturally high clarity and subtle tonal variations. Collectors and gem enthusiasts appreciate how these unique geological processes manifest in each piece, making every aquamarine gem a one-of-a-kind specimen.
Aquamarine meaning and properties
The following section is pseudo scientific and based on cultural beliefs.
Throughout history, aquamarine stone has been known as a gem of courage, thought to calm turbulent minds and ease stress. Its gentle yet persistent energy is said to promote tolerance and reduce overcritical tendencies, supporting those who feel overburdened by daily responsibilities. Many believe it enhances open communication and dispels fear, allowing individuals to express their feelings more freely.
Aquamarine birthstone
As the March birthstone, aquamarine has long been revered for its ability to symbolize youth, health, and hope. Its shifting palette of pale, medium, and deep blue mirrors the vastness of the ocean, suggesting renewal, serenity, and a constant flow of positive energy. In various cultural traditions, gifting aquamarine jewelry to loved ones in March is considered a gesture of goodwill, blessing, and emotional support.
Aquamarine under microscope
To see also:
Cat’s eye aquamarine, and blue beryl irradiated
FAQ
Is an aquamarine a precious stone?
It is semi precious. Today some semi precious gemstones can be worth much more than a precious stone.
Does aquamarine have a special meaning?
The gemstone is associated with tranquility, serenity, clarity, and harmony. As the first of the spring birthstones, the sea blue crystal represents transformation and rebirth. It embodies youthful vitality, purity, loyalty, hope, and truth.
What is the best quality aquamarine?
The gem’s most valuable color is a dark blue to slightly greenish blue with moderately strong intensity. In general, the purer and more intense the blue color, the more valuable the stone. Most stone color is a light greenish blue.
What power does aquamarine have?
It is a stone of courage. Its calming energies reduce stress and quiet the mind. The gemstone has an affinity with sensitive people. It can invoke tolerance of others and overcomes judgmentalism, giving support to those overwhelmed by responsibility.
Can you wear aquamarine everyday?
With its icy blue color, aquamarine displays a magical aura. With a good hardness, this sea-blue gemstone is a very good choice for daily wear. Whether it is an official or a casual event, one can never go wrong with this gem.
What chakra is aquamarine good for?
Along with opening and activating the heart chakra, the energy center associated with unconditional love and compassion, it also supports physical healing. By stimulating the throat chakra, the gem helps to enhance immunity by opening the flow between the heart and the throat energy centers.
What does aquamarine do spiritually?
Often considered a gateway crystal to spiritual access, the stone can help you achieve a closer connection with the outer manifestations of your spirituality and with your inner self.
What can aquamarine be used for?
It is calming, soothing, and cleansing, and inspires truth, trust and letting go. In ancient lore, it was believed to be the treasure of mermaids, and was used by sailors as a talisman of good luck, fearlessness and protection. It was also considered a stone of eternal youth and happiness.
How do you keep aquamarine shiny?
Because of its light color, the stone can get dirty or cloudy when you wear the ring. Cleaning your stone often can keep it beautiful and shining. To clean your aquamarine engagement ring or earrings, wash it with warm soapy water and avoid doing anything that will damage the stone.
What is the best cut for aquamarine stone?
The most popular cut is the rectangle octagon emerald shape. Many jewelry professionals believe square or rectangle cuts complement the stone best. Princess and pear are also preferred.
What does it mean if your birthstone is aquamarine?
March. In ancient times, people believed the traditional birthstone of March protected seafarers in helping them clearly remember their loved ones when they were far away at sea. Wearing the stone promotes creativity, hope, self-expression and courage.
Are aquamarines rare?
Why does it cost so much more than blue topaz that’s almost the same color? Blue topaz is more common because the color is produced by treating colorless topaz with radiation. Aquamarine is rarer in nature, especially in fine color. Its long history as a gem also adds to its collectability.
What does an aquamarine engagement ring mean?
It is not only the March birthstone, but is the gem designated to be given for the 19th wedding anniversary. The stone is believed to symbolize health, courage, and clear communication, all things that are important in any marriage, which may account for their popularity in engagement rings.
How long does aquamarine last?
In fact, lighter varieties can even be mistaken for diamonds. However, its Mohs’ Scale rating of 7.5 to 8 indicates that, with extreme wear, it may show signs of scratching over time. Yet, with proper care and servicing, this lovely sea-green gem will last a lifetime.
Which is more expensive aquamarine or topaz?
Blue beryl is generally much more expensive than blue topaz, with the main reason being that blue topaz is artificially heated whereas aquamarine is natural in color. However, a ring with aquamarine stone is almost double the price of the blue topaz ring.
How do you clean aquamarine rings?
The easiest method of care for your stones is to wash them in warm, soapy water: Fill a small bowl with warm water and add a small amount of dish soap. Let your jewelry soak for several minutes and then use a soft bristled toothbrush in order to clean the stone.
What is a lab created aquamarine?
Lab created stones are synthetic. If you have wished to own jewelry containing a natural gemstone but found it too expensive, you can enjoy the beauty of the stone by buying synthetic aquamarine at a fraction of the cost of natural gem.
Natural aquamarine for sale in our gem shop
We make custom made aquamarine jewelry such as engagement rings, necklaces, stud earrings, bracelets, and pendants. For more information or to request a quote, please contact us.
