Aquamarine Gemstone Information: A Blue Green Gemstone.
March 01, 2020
Aquamarine Buying Guide.
Aquamarine Gemstone Information: Discover this blue green gem, cut, sizes, clarity, genesis, famous aquamarines, birthstone of march and more information.
Aquamarine’s name not only refers to the color, but also refers to its history and legend.
Aquamarine Gem belongs to the beryl family, just as the Emerald, Morganite, Goshenite, Red Beryl, Green Beryl, Heliodor and Maxixe; and it owes its color to iron trace elements.
From the ancient of days its history has always been connected to sea and to mariners.
Aquamarine Gemstones has been used to make lucky charm for the sailors. The sailors and mariners believed the aquamarine held magical or curative powers if worn as an amulet. The gem protected their from the wrath of the sea god, Poseidon, like a gift from the sea, like a treasure of mermaids.
In past centuries, this blue beryl has been used like antidote for poison, oracle crystal, amulet, healing stone, etc.
ETYMOLOGY
The origin of the name from the Latin words “aqua” (water) and “marina” (sea), in reference to seawater color.
Aquamarine evokes the tranquility and security, like a calm sea.
Aquamarine belongs to the BERYL FAMILY, just as the Emerald, Morganite, Goshenite, Red Beryl, Green Beryl, Heliodor and Maxixe; and it owes its color to iron trace elements.
Aquamarine is the blue to greenish blue variety of the beryl group.
This blue color have different hues:
Aquamarine Gems can be light or dark blue, greenish blue to pale green - blue. The commonest color is a pale to medium blue or greenish blue.
The most expensive aquamarine has a saturated blue color without inclusions, vitreous lustre and transparency.
Aquamarine cut stones are available in a wide variety of shapes. Apart from conventional cut (emerald, oval, pear, round, trillion, pear, etc) we can find fancy cuts. Emerald cut aquamarine is highly sought in jewelry.
Cabochon cutting is probably the most common form of gem cutting for translucent aquamarine, and faceting cutting for transparent aquamarine.
Aquamarine Gemstone is available in large sizes, smaller aquamarine gems (under 5.00 ct.) often show lighter color.
Aquamarines are usually eye-clean, (the inclusions cannot be seen with the naked eye) with great lustre and transparency.
Typical inclusions: The main inclusions are parallel “tubes” or “channels” to axis C, solid inclusions (ilmenite, goethite, apatite, quartz, etc.), multi-phase inclusions, sometimes resembling iridescent “confeti”, healed fractures, feather or fingerprinters.
The characteristics and arrangement of the inclusions are responsible for the ASTERISM and CHATOYANCY in the aquamarine gemstone.
Genesis: Beryllium is concentrated in the Earth's crust and is associated with acid igneous rocks (rich in silica, granite type). The main primary deposits of aquamarine are the pegmatites.
Aquamarine Gemstones are found: Afghanistan, Brazil, Burma, Canada, China, Finland, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Russia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Ukraine, USA, Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe ..
Heat treatments are standard practice in aquamarine gem.
This variety of Beryl often present a greenish color, due to presence of Fe3+. With low temperatures and reducing conditions, varies the valence of Fe3+ to Fe2+ , the greenish hue disappears and the blue color intensifies.
Synthesis:
We can find synthetic aquamarine (hydrothermally grown), but in general it is not profitable process like alternative to a natural aquamarine.
Lo primero que buscamos en las piedras preciosas es subelleza. Pero la belleza es subjetiva y es muy difícil declasificar.
Una cosa que he aprendido con el tiempo es que cuando se venden piedras preciosas sueltas, los compradores suelen ser coleccionistas de gema o bien van a usar la gema para hacerse una pieza de joyería a medida; unanillo de compromiso,de boda, o algo muy especial. En cuyo caso tienen clarísimoel colorque están buscando.
The first thing we look for in precious stones is theirbeauty. But beauty is subjective and is very difficult toclassify.
One thing I have learned over time is that when loose gemstones are sold, the buyers are often gem collectors or they will use the gem to make a custom piece of jewelry; an engagement ring, a wedding ring, or something very special. In which case they are very clear aboutthe colorthey are looking for.
