Aquamarine is the blue variety of the silicate mineral family beryl and is frequently referred to as the “mother of gemstones.” Gemstones in the beryl group come in various colors, such as yellow beryl. Similarly, a green beryl can be an emerald (*), a blue beryl is considered an aquamarine, and a pink one is called morganite.
Read more about the beryl group and its color varieties here in our blog post.
(*) Emeralds are beryls whose color is obtained through chromium and/or vanadium with varying proportions of iron. In this context, the specific hue is not the primary factor. Beryls that derive their color solely from iron ions, however, are referred to as “green beryls.” This is the definition used by major laboratories.
THE DISTINCTIVE COLOR
Aquamarine exists in various shades of blue, from a delicate light blue to a deep, dark seawater blue. The most coveted is a deep blue. The more intense the blue, the more valuable it is, as the color closest to that of seawater is very rare.
Aquamarine derives its color from traces of divalent to trivalent iron ions. The varying iron concentrations give the gemstone an extraordinarily beautiful palette of colors, ranging from soft pastel tones to an intense deep-sea blue.
The unique feature of aquamarine is its dichroism. Depending on the viewing angle, the color effect of the stone can change. Consequently, the same aquamarine can appear almost colorless one moment and deep blue the next. Furthermore, aquamarines are characterized by their beautiful and uniform color distribution.
To increase color intensity in stones of lower color quality, they are usually heated at high temperatures to achieve the desired intense aquamarine blue. However, the temperature must not exceed 450 °C, as this can lead to the opposite effect of decolorization.
Aquamarine blue can also be achieved through neutron irradiation and gamma irradiation. However, the coloration obtained in this way is not permanent.
PURITY AND QUALITY
Aquamarines are purer than emeralds. They usually have no inclusions or cracks and are therefore transparent and eye-clean, meaning no inclusions are visible to the naked eye at a distance of approx. 15 cm. This makes them easier to process than emeralds. Even under magnification, aquamarines exhibit very high purity.The quality designation Santa Maria is given to particularly fine and deep-blue aquamarines—named after a mine in Brazil. Santa-Maria-Africana stands for a fine aquamarine mined in Mozambique (Africa). The Maxixe aquamarine is considered a deep-blue aquamarine from Brazil, which, however, fades in daylight and is enhanced by irradiation.
ORIGIN
The precious gemstone is found in its parent rock, pegmatites, especially coarse-grained granites, but also in metamorphic rocks like gneiss and as mineral placers in river sediments.
With around 660 known locations, the aquamarine is a relatively common variety of beryl. Aquamarine deposits are located on almost every continent on Earth.
Brazil is naturally one of the most famous locations. Aquamarines are mined in many places throughout the country. The once highly significant and best-known sources in the Ural Mountains in Russia are now almost exhausted. Other deposits exist in Australia, China, India, and the USA, though most originate from Africa, e.g., Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia.
One of the largest gem-quality aquamarines ever found in a greenish-blue color was recovered in 1910 in the Marambaia River in Minas Gerais (Brazil). It weighed 110.5 kg and measured 48.5 cm in length and 41-42 cm in diameter, or converted to 520,000 carats. The largest and heaviest crystal known to date, one meter in length and weighing 400 kg, was discovered in 1992 in the Galilea mine near Governador Valadares in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais.
AQUAMARINE AS A JEWELRY STONE
The aquamarine trend of recent years is far from over: classic octagonal, ideally eight to ten carats. Triggered by the royal wedding of 2018, where Meghan Markle wore Diana’s legendary aquamarine cocktail ring on her finger, demand for such aquamarine rings remains high.
Due to its breathtaking blue color, aquamarine is a highly coveted jewelry stone, which is suitable for the creation of luxurious and alluring rings, necklaces, and earrings. A single large aquamarine on a subtle choker, two ocean-blue aquamarine pairs in a gold setting, or a pompous stone on a ladies' ring—the aquamarine is versatile and makes every gown elegant and exquisite.
It is offered in various cut shapes—HC Arnoldi is known for classic cuts and especially for aquamarines. Step and scissors cuts with rectangular or long-oval shapes are preferred. Cloudy aquamarines are frequently processed into cabochons. Aquamarine beads are also well-suited for creating an elegant necklace or bracelet.
HOLY AQUAMARINE
But the aquamarine brings luck to more than just sailors. The gemstone has a calming and positive effect, which can be healing, especially in times of trouble. Not only mentally but also physically, wearing aquamarines has benefits. It is said that it can help with respiratory problems, skin allergies, hay fever, and neck and nerve pain, for example.
The aquamarine is the birthstone of March and is also said to have a positive influence on composure and wisdom.
