Aquamarine Gemstone Information: A Blue Green Gemstone.

February 21, 2017

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.

 

Contens

1. History and Etymology of Aquamarine
2. Color and Price of Aquamarine Gemstones
3. Cut and Sizes of Aquamarine
4. Aquamarine Clarity and Typical Inclusions
5. Where is Aquamarine Found, genesis and origin
6. Enhancements and Synthesis
7. March Birthstone, Aquamarine
8. Famous Aquamarine Gemstones
9. General Description Physical and Optical Properties of Aquamarine

 

HISTORY & ETYMOLOGY OF AQUAMARINE

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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 cristal, 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.

 

COLOR & PRICE OF AQUAMARINE GEMSTONES

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 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 have a saturated blue color without inclusions, vitreous lustre and transparency.

 

CUT & SIZES OF AQUAMARINE

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Aquamarine cut stones are available in a wide variety of shapes. Apart of convencional 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.

 

AQUAMARINE CLARITY & TYPICAL INCLUSIONS

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Aquamarine  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.

 

WHERE IS AQUAMARINE FOUND, GENESIS & ORIGIN

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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 ..

 

ENHANCEMENTS AND SYNTHESIS

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Enhancements:

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.

 

FAMOUS AQUAMARINE GEMSTONES

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We can found large crystals of gem quality:

PAPAMEL                        Origin: Brazil. 552,500 carats.
MARTA ROCHA             Origin: Brazil. 173,500 carats.
ESTERELA DE ALVE     Origin: Brazil. 96,000 carats.

DOM PEDRO                  Origin: Brazil. 10,363 cts, cut by Bernd Munsteiner.

Current Owner : Smithstonian Institution.

For learn about Dom Pedro: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/introducing-the-dom-pedro-aquamarine-22283399/?no-ist      

 

OTHER FAMOUS AQUAMARINES

Queen’s Brazilian Tiara, Roosevelt Aquamarine, Shlumberger Bow.
More information about this famous Aquamarine: https://www.gia.edu/aquamarine

 

MARCH BIRTHSTONE, AQUAMARINE

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The Aquamarine corresponds to those born in March, as well as a wedding gift for those celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary.

More information about Birthstones, stones for fortune, horoscope, birth signs, etc.

 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION PHYSICAL & OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF AQUAMARINE

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