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Introduction:
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Aquamarine, the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, is an easily recognized gemstone designated as the March birthstone and given for the 18th wedding anniversary. Brazilian aquamarine, the long-time favorite of the aquamarine industry, generally reflects its best blue color in larger stones of 5 carats or more. Because smaller stones are very popular with consumers, supplies of African aquamarine that provide sought after deep blue color in 1-2 carat stones are cause for excitement in the gem world. This trend is making a stone's origin far less important in today's market than it may have been in the past. Regardless of such politics, aquamarine is a beautiful pastel stone that compliments popular white metals and current fashion trends. It is routinely heat treated to produce more blue tones from green tones, and the enhancement is both undetectable and stable. |
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History
of...
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Until the discovery of good-color aquamarine in Africa, the best source of the blue to blue-green variety of beryl was Brazil. Santa Maria aquamarine, exceptionally fine quality material, is derived from Brazil and maintains its reputation as the best. The discovery of African deposits of aquamarine may have saved a deteriorating market by offering an influx of more affordable and equally beautiful stones. Before the discovery of this source in in the early 1980's, aquamarine sales in the U.S. were losing ground to blue topaz sales based on price. Nonetheless, the aquamarine market remained vivacious in other parts of the world. Today, consumers looking for a varied and colorful jewelry wardrobe are likely to enjoy aquamarine as much for its soothing color as for its ease of recognition.
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Technical
Specifications:
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| DESCRIPTION |
| Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral species beryl. |
| Chemical
Composition: |
Be3Al2Si6O18 |
| Appearance: |
• Usually transparent; highly-included stones may be translucent • Greenish blue to blue-green, generally light in tone |
| Misnomers: |
None known |
| Typical
Sizes: |
All sizes; 10 carat stones are common |
| Cut Styles: |
Faceted, cabachons, beads and carvings |
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| IDENTIFICATION |
| Optic
Character: |
DR, uniaxial negative |
| Refractive
Index: |
1.577-1.583 (+/- .017) |
| Birefingence: |
.005-.009 |
| Dispersion: |
.014 |
| Pleochroism: |
Weak to moderate, blue and greenish blue, or different tones of blue (lighter color associated with optic axis direction) |
| Ultraviolet
Fluorescence: |
Inert |
| Absorption
Spectra: |
Indistinct lines at 537 and 456 nm, and a strong line at 427 nm depending on the depth of color |
| Cause
of Color: |
Iron |
| Specific
Gravity: |
2.72 (+.18, -.05) |
| Polish
Luster: |
Vitreous |
| Fracture: |
Conchoidal |
| Luster: |
Vitreous to resinous |
| Cleavage: |
Very difficult in one direction, almost never seen |
| Indentifying
Characteristics: |
Liquid-filled inclusions, "fingerprints," 2-phase inclusions, 3-phase inclusions, hollow or liquid-filled parallel tubes |
| Known
Enhancements: |
Aquamarine is routinely heat treated to bring out more blue tones from green tones. The treatment is undetectable and very stable. |
| DURABILITY RATINGS |
| Hardness: |
7 1/2 to 8 |
| Toughness: |
Good |
| Aquamarine is sometimes mistaken for: Topaz, tourmaline, zircon, euclase and kyanite |
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Care
Tips:
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| Cleaning Methods |
| •Ultrasonic: |
Usually safe, unless stone contains feathers or liquid inclusions |
| •Steamer: |
Usually safe, unless stone contains feathers or liquid inclusions |
| •Warm
soapy water: |
Safe |
| Stability of Stone |
| •Heat
tolerance: |
Aquamarine is generally not heat sensitive unless it contains liquid inclusions |
| •Light
tolerance: |
Stable |
| •Chemical tolerance: |
Attacked by hydrofluoric acid |
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Recommended
Uses:
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Rings
- Aquamarine is very popular with todays white metals. A platinum or white gold ring with aqua (as it is lovingly referred to) and diamonds would be no exception. Aquamarine is very suitable for ring use and should withstand the abuse of everyday wear. Due to the wide range of sizes available it is easy to see why an aqua would be an obvious choice for a rings center stone. It makes for a quite unique peice of jewelry and is sure to generate its share of attention. Earrings
- Aquamarine earrings to go along with a matching pendant or ring would make for a great combination. Although aquamarine shows best in a pendant or ring, earrings are a good option to consider. Cost is a factor when thinking of earrings but not so much as to deem them avoidable. Aquamarine is affordable but there are less expensive alternatives in colored stones that may be more suitable for often lost or misplaced earrings. Otherwise, a pair of aquamarine earrings would compliment any jewelry collection.
Pendants - Much like amethyst, aquamarines are availble in larger sizes and make for beautiful pendants. They are durable enough to withstand the normal wear and tear that a pendant would receive and will match many different colors and styles of clothing. It is easy to see that an aquamarine mounted in white metal with a complimentary diamond or two would be quite the conversation peice and because aquas are readily available a pendant like this would not be difficult to obtain.
Bracelet - Since aquamarine is a readily available stone and is not too difficult to find in matching sets they will work well in a bracelet application. To produce a bracelet with aquamarines of decent size (3-4mm) would not be the least expensive option available in colored stones but neither would it be the most expensive. The stone is quite sturdy enough for a bracelet and would be a wonderful addition to any jewelry collection.
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Source
Map:
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| All technical specifications and care
tips on this page was referrenced from the "Gem
Reference Guide" published by the Gemological Institute
of America |
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