Aquamarine – the gemstone that matches the color of the sea
Aquamarine's color resembles the deep blue of the sea. This is where the stone gets its name from: “aquamarine” comes from the Latin “aqua marina”, which means seawater.
The Sumerians, Egyptians, Hebrews and Greeks already admired these blue gemstones and associated them with water and the seas. In ancient times, the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, was engraved on aquamarine amulets to protect sailors on the high seas.
Roman doctors used aquamarine to treat overeating and flatulence.
The largest aquamarine ever found was discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1992. It weighs more than 400 kilograms and is about one meter long.
What makes a valuable aquamarine?
This gemstone is not quite as rare as sapphires, rubies or emeralds. Accordingly, the requirements for a valuable aquamarine are quite high.
Deep blue color
Aquamarines usually have a light color ranging from greenish-blue to blue-green. Pale, light stones are less expensive than darker varieties. The most valuable are deep blue aquamarines.
Larger stones usually have a more intense color.
Inclusions and treatment
A good aquamarine must be eye-clean. This means that it should have no visible inclusions.
Aquamarines are often irradiated to improve their color. This type of treatment reduces the value and can be detected in the laboratory.
The most valuable aquamarines are those that have not been treated, are eye-clean and deep blue.
Use
When processed into fine jewelry, the aquamarine is valued for its cool and soothing color. The blue gemstone goes well with every skin tone and every outfit.
According to the American Gem Society, aquamarine is the birthstone of March and the anniversary stone for the 19th wedding anniversary.
With aquamarine, you can symbolically give your beloved a piece of the ocean in the form of a ring, necklace or earrings. The stone of the sea can be set in silver, white or yellow gold and framed with fine diamonds or crystals.
Properties
As with the emerald, this is a variant of the beryl mineral. Traces of iron give it its blue color.
It has a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8 and is therefore suitable for use in a wide variety of jewelry.
Origin & mining sites
With around 660 known sites, beryl is comparatively abundant. Deposits can be found on all continents, with the only exception being Antarctica. The most important sites for the trade are Brazil, Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, the United States, India and Mozambique.
Most common cuts
Aquamarines grow in large, hexagonal crystals. This allows high-carat stones to be cut. The most common cuts are the octagonal step cut, the emerald cut and the oval cut. Round or heart-shaped cuts, on the other hand, are rare.
Aquamarines in an elongated teardrop shape are particularly suitable for necklaces and earrings.
