Aquamarine
Other Silicates & Gemstones
Aquamarine is the pale blue to blue-green variety of beryl. Iron within the crystal produces its color, and gem crystals often grow as transparent six-sided prisms in granite pegmatites and related veins.
Identity
- Material or variety
- Beryl
- Scientific or material identity
- Beryl
- Classification
- Natural mineral or mineral variety
- Composition or formula
- Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
- Crystal system or structure
- Hexagonal
- Geological or manufacturing origin
- Forms from silica- or mineral-rich fluids in cavities and fractures.
- Mohs hardness
- 7.5 to 8
- Specific gravity
- 2.63 to 2.92
Origins
Afghanistan · Brazil · Canada · China · Finland · India · Kenya · Mozambique · Myanmar · Namibia · Nigeria · Pakistan · Russia · Sri Lanka · USA · Vietnam
Appearance & optical properties
pale sea-blue transparent beryl.
History & discovery
Its name combines Latin words for water and the sea. The ocean-like color inspired long-standing associations with sailors and safe voyages, while Greek craftspeople engraved aquamarine as intaglios. The gem is now recognized as a March birthstone.
Uses & care
- Common uses
- Transparent aquamarine is faceted for rings, earrings, pendants and other jewelry. Large clean crystals are also displayed as mineral specimens or carved into decorative objects.
- Handling and cleaning
- Clean it with warm soapy water. Protect it from scratches, hard knocks and heat; steam and ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe only when the stone has no liquid inclusions, significant fractures or fracture filling.
Jewellery
4 pieces of Aquamarine jewellery. Learners earn each one in DigMyGem by learning words; until then it shows as a silhouette.
Dom Pedro aquamarine
Jewel
The world's largest cut aquamarine, a 10,363-carat obelisk carved by Bernd Munsteiner from a Brazilian crystal. It is displayed at the National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.
Photo: General Kipicus, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons 
Sea-Green Aquamarine Tiara
Tiara
A tiara of graduated aquamarine cabochons in a wreath of diamond leaves, made for a bride who wanted the colour of shallow water. The largest stone sits front and centre like a drop about to fall.
Aquamarine and Diamond Ring
Ring
An emerald-cut aquamarine the colour of northern sea, held high in claw settings above a band of channel-set diamonds. It is a stone chosen for a sailor's safe return.
Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara
Tiara
Brazil gave Queen Elizabeth II a necklace and earrings of aquamarines and diamonds for her coronation in 1953, and in 1957 she had Garrard make a tiara to match. It is made of emerald-cut aquamarines and diamonds, topped by three upright aquamarines.
