Aquamarine Gemstone Description:

Aquamarine is a semi-precious gemstone of Beryl mineral family, its light blue color and high transparency makes it more valuable and desirable. The name Aquamarine derived from (Latin: aqua marina, "water of the sea") because of its seawater color. Aquamarine is an excellent jewelry stone due to its durability, appeal, and availability, plus it is reasonably priced. It is a popular stone for any jewelry like rings, earrings, necklaces, and other jewelry forms.

General Information:

A variety or type of:	Beryl
Varieties / Types:	Blue Beryl
Chemical Formula	Be3 Al2 Si6 O18
Mohs Hardness	7.5 to 8
Specific Gravity	2.66 to 2.80
Aquamarine Treatments	Greenish hue removed by heat-treatment, while lower qualities are heated to (400 to 450-degree C) to change them to the desired, stable aquamarine blue. Higher heat will lead to discoloration. Color can also be improved with neutron and gamma irradiation, but these changes do not last.
Inclusions in Aquamarine	Solid inclusions are quartz, muscovite, garnet, apatite, tourmaline, and less often epidote, cassiterite, tantalo-columbite, and hematite. Gas-liquid inclusions are concentrated as veils and thin tube-like channels parallel to the long axis of the crystal. There are also gas and multi-phase inclusions with sylvite, halite, muscovite and other minerals, which may occupy thirty to forty percent of the vacuole volume.
Crystallography of Aquamarine:
Crystal System	Hexagonal
Habit	Long-prismatic habit, occasional vertical striations and growth and etch figures in the prism faces.

Aquamarine Color:

Color is arguably one of the more important determinants of Aquamarine value. The more luxurious and deeper the color of the Aquamarine, the higher its value. A piece that is radiant sky blue will be more than twice the rate of a piece that has a duller hue, even if they both have a similar quality of clarity, cut, and carat weight.

Color	Blue, Greenish-blue
Color (Chelsea Filter)	Greenish blue

Aquamarine Clarity:

Most facet grade aquamarines are eye-clean. Unlink Emerald; Aquamarines are often highly clear, transparent, that can be easily cut to enhance its natural sparkle. A cracked-looking, milky, or spotted piece of Aquamarine is of much less value and should be assessed accordingly. High-quality pieces of Aquamarine are completely clear and cut in a fashion that reflects maximum light. Some crystals might contain liquid inclusions, but clarity characteristics are few or absent in most finished gems. Stones with eye-visible inclusions are usually fashioned into beads, cabochons, or carvings.

Aquamarine Cut:

As with all facet grade stones, the cutter’s skill makes a huge difference in the polished product. Someone who knows how to maximize light while evading large dull windows in the stones will craft a much higher quality stone with the same rough as someone who is new and still learning this craft. With facet grade rough, the step or emerald cut is the most fashionable style for pieces of Aquamarine, especially when placed in ring settings. Despite the style, the cut of an Aquamarine stone should take advantage of this gem’s inherent clarity and make it sparkle. Aquamarine is a highly reflective gemstone, but a poor cut can dull the luster of a gem with outstanding clarity. In order to secure most of its reflective nature, the angles should be sharp and straight. The facets of the gemstone should be proportional and appealing to the eye.

Aquamarine Carat:

Aquamarine is comparatively inexpensive and often found in large pieces also called facet grade. Because of this, it’s easy for jewelers to do with, and you will easily find a good quality, well-cut piece of Aquamarine for a reasonable price. When it comes to assessment, the size of an Aquamarine is not as important as its color and clarity. A large piece that has inclusions and a pale color is worth far less than a masterpiece half its size that is clear and rich in blue coloring. Below table shows the heaviest and the lightest aquamarine ever recorded

Heaviest (rough)	552,500 cts
Lightest (faceted)	0.14 cts
Heaviest (faceted)	61.60 cts

Aquamarine Localities:

Enormous deposits of aquamarine are located worldwide; some of the documented deposits are followed!

Country	Mines
Afghanistan	Jurm Mine, Dara-i-Pech pegmatite field, Surkh-Rod pegmatite field, Mawi pegmatite, Paprok Mine
Brazil	Guaratinga Mine, Mimoso do Sul Mine, Marambaia Mine, Pioneira Mine, Ponte da Raiz Mine
Canada	Pingwu beryl Mine, Nujiang Valley
Finland	Karelia Beryl Mine pegmatite
Kazakhstan	Akchatau Mine
Madagascar	Sakavalana Mine, Ankitzka Mine
Mozambique	Emdal Mine, Morrua Mine
Myanmar	Baw Mar Mine, Pyant Gyi Mine, Palelni Mine
Namibia	Stiepelmann Mine
Nigeria	Gwantu, Nasarawa Eggon, Sabon Wana
Pakistan	Drot Valley, Chumar Bakhoor, Nagar, Haramosh Peak, Mungo, Yunas, Garam Chashma
Russia	Mokrusha Mine, Millionnaya Mine, Podnebesny Mine
USA	Mesa Grande Mine, Oceanview Mine, Cryo-Genie Mine, Big Mine, Palermo No. 1 Mine, Plantation Emerald Mine
Zambia	Kapilinkesa Mine
Zimbabwe	St Anns Mine

Aquamarine Associations:

Chakras	Throat Chakra
Birthstone	March
Zodiac	Aries, Gemini, Scorpio, Aquarius, Pisces
Anniversary	19th

Healing Properties of Aquamarine:

Courage, Calming, Good health, Inspiration, Inner Strength, Peace, Serenity, Soothing, Safe travel on water, Self-confidence, Stability in married life

• Aquamarine is also known as the stone of courage; its calming attribute reduces stress and quiets the soul bringing inner peace.
• It eases fears and increases sensitivity because of its affinity with sensitive people
• Aquamarine is useful for closure at many levels because it clarifies perception and clears confusion
• It is highly protective during pregnancy; it reduces the possibility of miscarriage and helps to guard both mother and baby.
• Aquamarine is helpful to sore throats and thyroid problems.
• Astrologists recommend aquamarine for promoting leadership qualities, self-confidence, good health, and stability in married life.