With a name derived from the Latin for “sea water”, aquamarine is a widely known variety of beryl that owes its light blue coloration to the existence of ferrous iron within its internal crystal structure. As beryl’s yellow-producing chromophore (i.e. ferric iron) is generally also present, most material at first tends to be somewhat greenish and is routinely subjected to heat-based treatments in order to produce more salable pure blue shades. Aside from their unique color, aquamarine crystals are also noted for their plus sizes and generally extremely high levels of clarity.
While Brazil is the world’s primary source for gem-quality aquamarine, commercially-significant deposits are likewise located within Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Pakistan and Vietnam. In addition, Brazil and Mozambique produce an extremely intensely-colored sub-variety called “Santa Maria”, which was named after the previous’s Santa Maria de Itabira mine from where it was first discovered.
Meaning of aquamarine
Aquamarine stimulates the purity of crystalline waters and the enjoyment and relaxation of the sea. It is soothing, relaxing, and cleansing, and motivates truth, trust and letting go. In ancient tradition, Aquamarine was believed to be the treasure of mermaids and was utilized by sailors as a talisman of best of luck, fearlessness and defence. It was likewise considered a stone of eternal youth and happiness. Today it protects all who travel by, over, or near water, and opens the channels of clear and wholehearted interaction
Aquamarine embodies all things linked to the sea, in addition to those things associating with Heaven reflected on the surface of the water. It becomes a mirror, showing itself indefinitely, making it possible to discover concealed significances of reality. As a stone of symmetries, it contributes to meditation and discovery, a stone of prophets, healers, shamans, and mystics. It also permits us to check out the darkest depths of our souls, face to face with ourselves, and with others.
Birthstone – Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March.
How is aquamarine formed?
When lava under the earth crust engages with mineral abundant rocks called pegmatites. When they communicate with magma which forms the gems, they heat up. Pegamites are rocks that are formed during the final stages of lava crystallisation. Almost all aquamarines are formed in pegmatites.
Aquamarine can be found in numerous places all over the world where there are mountains. Varieties of places like Africa, India, South America, Russia, and North America. The quality of aquamarine depends upon the color. When the color is richer and much deeper it is better. Many have light colored stones and very rarely will you find aquamarines with a cat-eye effect. The cat-eye effect is a line of shimmering lights that are viewed in different angles and it’s likewise flawless which is excellent for pendants and rings.
The crystals can be completely transparent and quite large. Aquamarines types into spectacular flawless crystals which can develop some beautiful work of arts. The stones can be heated up so that it can have a beautiful sky blue color. Most gemstones are usually heat treated with.
Aquamarine Characteristics
- Hardness – 7.5
- Transparency – Transparent – Translucent
- Chemical composition – Be3Al2(SiO3)6
- Crystal system – Hexagonal
- Specific gravity – 2.67-2.9
- Refractive index – 1.577-1.583
- Pleochroism – Dichroic, weak to moderate blue to slightly darker blue or greenish-blue
Common Inclusions in aquamarine
Inclusions are fascinating features of this gems. Beryl, and aquamarine in specific, are known for having long, hollow tubes. This distinctive feature will determine a gem as a member of the beryl family.
Aquamarines may have transparent and metallic inclusions, such as biotite, hematite, ilmenite, phlogopite, pyrite, and rutile in skeletal crystals. They may likewise include crystals of apatite, cassiterite, epidote, garnet, muscovite; quartz, and tourmaline. Some stones contain “snow-stars,” irregularly shaped liquid beads in a star development. The Martha Rocha aquamarine has notable “snow-star” inclusions.
Aquamarine cutting styles
When cutting aquamarine, the main factor to consider ought to be depth of color. Deep styles, like Barions and emerald cuts, are typically chosen. Faceters ought to use 43 ° pavilion mains on aquamarine for the highest brilliance. Low crown angles will produce higher brilliance, however higher crowns are often used to deepen the color.
The beryl family, consisting of aquamarines, are some of the most convenient gems to polish. Diamond polish is the most typical approach. A premium polish can give light aquamarines such excellent brilliance they may be puzzled with higher refractive index (RI) gems. Even with a moderate dispersion of 0.014, light stones with high crown angles will reveal their spectral colors well. This makes for an outstanding gem.
While the highest worths go to the richer colors, a well-cut light aquamarine can be among the most incredible examples of gem faceting worldwide.
Two gem cut designs by Jeff Graham, “Signature # 4” and “Blue Ice,” work particularly well for aquamarines.
The Emerald or step cut is the most popular design for pieces of Aquamarine, especially when placed in ring settings. Despite the style, the cut of an Aquamarine stone ought to take advantage of the inherent clarity of this gem and make it shimmer. This is an extremely reflective gem however a bad cut can dull the lustre of even a gem with exceptional clarity. In order to take advantage of Aquamarine’s reflective nature, the angles ought to be sharp and straight, and keep the light consisted of within the jewel. The aspects of the gemstone must be symmetrical and attractive to the eye.
A poorly cut piece of Aquamarine will be uneven or irregular, and the shape may be misshaped. Light will “permeate” from the sides of the gem instead of being directed directly into the viewer’s eye. A badly cut piece of Aquamarine can still be appealing– especially if the color is strong– but the value is much less.
Treatment of aquamarine
Aquamarine’s color variety is really narrow: It can be blue, really somewhat greenish blue, greenish blue, very highly greenish blue, or green-blue. The gem’s most valuable color is a dark blue to a little greenish blue with reasonably strong intensity. In general, the purer and more intense the blue color, the better the stone. The majority of aquamarine is a light greenish blue.
A lot of aquamarines come out of the ground with a greenish tint. This will disappear after heating up to 375 ° C, which leaves a pure blue color. Getting rid of aquamarine’s green tinting through heat treatment is really typical. In the past, this was done consistently. Nowadays, a more advanced public has actually started appreciating a little green, untreated aquamarines. Distinguishing this heating procedure proves difficult. Gem graders need to describe any pure blue aquamarines as “most likely heat treated.”
In the 1970s, Maxixe (noticable mah-SHE-she), an extremely dark blue aquamarine, appeared on the marketplace. The color of this irradiated product isn’t steady. These stones have actually mostly vanished from the market, if you’re ever used a very deep blue aquamarine, buyer beware.
How to determine the value of aquamarine
Keep in mind the stone’s shape. Popular gem shapes such as round, oval, marquise, emerald and pear are basic, but unusual cuts such as Asscher and cushion shapes can fetch a greater cost. Very large screen gems for collectors can have virtually any shape, but the best cuts are those that follow the crystal’s natural lines.
Take a look at the loose gem against white paper. The richer the color, the more pricey the stone. The costliest aquamarines look like the sea along a tropical white-sand beach.
Analyze the stone’s clarity both with the naked eye and with the jewelry expert’s loupe. Aquamarines are usually clear to the unaided eye; a stone with visible inclusions or defects loses value. If the aquamarine has inclusions visible just with the loupe, its expense is less impacted.
Weigh the stone on the jewelry scale. The aquamarine’s cut, clarity and color set its price per carat; its weight in carats determines the gem’s final worth.
Some greenish blue colors are highly desirable while in others the green is a critic and is frequently warmed to remove the yellow element that causes the green. Aquas come rather big so size does not impact cost as much as it carries out in other gems. Due to the fact that the lighter color of aquamarines, inclusions are easily seen within the stone, therefore clarity has a substantial impact on cost.
History & legend of aquamarine
Aquamarine has historically been used by soldiers to prevent fear on the battlefield, as it is said to promote bravery. Sailors carry the gemstone as a protection against drowning and to deflect the evil energies of negative spirits. In more modern times, students use Aquamarine to enhance study as it is said to improve memory and rid the brain of useless information while improving clarity and concentration.
Sources of aquamarine
Aquamarine and a lot of beryl’s take place in geological formations called pegmatites. They can take place in vugs, likewise called pockets, in addition to encased by quartz and feldspar. Aquamarine gems are frequently discovered together with Tourmalines. Aquamarine normally happens in pale colors, however can likewise happen in a really deep blue color. The standard producer of aquamarine has been Brazil, but in more recent times Zambia, Mozambique and Nigeria have been producing really great quality stones. The biggest high quality gem crystal ever discovered, in the early 1900’s was a 200-kilogram outright gem quality crystal found in Brazil. It was so clean that a person could check out newsprint through it! The term “Santa Maria” refers to an extremely fine deep blue deposit of aquamarine that was found in Brazil at the Santa Maria de Itabira mine. Santa Maria Africana refers to really fine deep blue aquamarine gems originating from Africa.
Famous aquamarines
For all of you blue colour fans out there, Aquamarine has that unique something, its blue to blue-green ranging hues take our minds and memories to the sun-kissed waters of the sea & the purity, serenity & calm that these represent. Aquamarine– actually meaning water of the seas is the birthstone of those born in March & for excellent factor. It represents new beginnings, new beginnings, clear interaction, reality & releasing. It is likewise believed to include a certain amiability to its beholders. No wonder it is a gem given up marital relationship or worn during lawsuits. The aquamarine colour is also notorious for finding its way into Spring/Summer collections worldwide, every year. It is suggested when travelling by, over, or near water to use this gemstone for security.
Aquamarine, like Emerald (from the exact same family) is a Beryl (mineral) found mainly in Brazil. Other countries understand for aquamarine are Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, China, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and the United States (Colorado and California).
Now that you know a little more about this “blue stone of the sea”, here are 3 of the most famous jewelry pieces/ gemstones from Aquamarine:
Queen Elizabeth’s Brazilian Tiara
The centre-stone of Queen Elizabeth’s Tiara is a big aquamarine. This tiara has fantastic significance as it was provided to her as a present by the Brazilian president for her crowning in 1953! True to the stone’s emblematic residential or commercial properties of representing new beginnings, the queen enjoyed her new present and has been seen wearing it on many events, even to this day!
The Dom Pedro Aquamarine
Possibly the most gorgeous representation of aquamarine is the Dom Pedro obelisk work of art. It is the biggest dealt with aquamarine gemstone in the world which is practically 36cm in length & a shocking 10363 carats. This stone was cut by the so-call “Picasso of Gems” Bernd Munsteiner and can be seen on screen next to the Hope Diamond in the Smithsonian National Gem & Mineral Collection in Washington.
Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt’s Aquamarine
This stone was gifted to President Roosevelt’s partner during their journey to Brazil in the time following the 2nd presidential election in 1936. The stone was the largest cut aquamarine piece at the time and part of the Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas personal collection. It is a tremendous 1298 carats & became part of a bigger rough stone weighing over 1,3 kg which was cut in Amsterdam, giving the gorgeous piece seen listed below.
How to identify real aquamarines?
Aquamarines are well-known gemstones that are found in various parts of the world. Aquamarine comes from Beryl family of which emerald is a popular member. The colors of aquamarines vary from light blue to deep blue. Apart from adding to the individuality, the brilliant radiance of aquamarines, their transparency and brilliance of internal reflections figure out the worth of these gems. Primarily aquamarines are heated so that yellow color elements in the gems are gotten rid of. The heat treatment leads to irreversible modification of color. Because the color and openness choose the worth of aquamarines, these gemstones vary in costs. Blue topaz, either glass or synthetic is promoted as aquamarine. It becomes needed to know how to recognize the best aquamarine gemstones so that you are not tricked into buying glass in location of gemstones. Here are some tips to assist you with making the best identification.
1) It is tough to determine aquamarine based upon the color. Look out for scratches on the surface. Aquamarine gems are difficult and they are not quickly scratched. Glass, as you know, is easily scratched.
When viewed from various angles whereas glass will show the very same color regardless of the angles you look at, 2) Aquamarine has the quality to show various colors. Thus, look from various angles and if you see different colors displayed, you have aquamarine on your hand.
3) Another simple manner in which helps with recognizing aquamarine gems is to place the gems on your forehead. Because, aquamarine is cool, you will feel cool when it comes in contact with your forehead. Glass, on the other hand, feels like space temperature.
4) If you are uncertain about the gems on hand, you could check for refraction. Blue topaz is refractive and hence you might discover more powerful refraction lines unlike in aquamarine, which is weakly refracted. Check out the gemstone to find out if there are doubling of lines. If you might spot the lines easily, then it could be topaz. If not, it is aquamarine.
If the stone has any bubbles inside, 5) You might likewise inspect. Aquamarine does not have any bubbles inside. It is glass that you are holding if you see tiny bubbles inside the stone.
6) Use a microscope to look at the internal crystalline structure. When seen through gemological microscope, the hexagonal shape of the gems can be viewed on the within.
7) Consult a gemologist you know to find out about the genuinity of the stone on hand. An expert will be able to assist you adequately. Devices for performing the tests will be offered with him and hence you could expect an accurate judgment.
It would be better to reach for your jeweler with whom you had been dealing all along when you prepare to invest in aquamarine gems. Obtain information prior to hand on the numerous information about aquamarine gems such as the colors of the gems, their transparency, shapes, internal structures and hardness levels. Nevertheless, do not conclude based upon the understanding you recently got through blog sites and books. The understanding makes sure to guide you; however, it is an expert you trust, who would have the ability to make you get your cash’s worth.
How to take care of aquamarine jewelry?
Aquamarines are lovely gems framing the myriad colors of the sea. Securing them versus harmful chemicals and sharp blows is of main value. Timely cleaning will ensure the durability of the gems and help preserve their unique luster.
Aquamarine– The sea stone. The vivid shades of the sea are captured in this stone and said to be shown in the character of the wearer. It is a member of the Beryl family, to which emeralds also belong.
Certain simple guidelines require to be followed if you want to preserve the initial appeal of these gemstones.
Wearing
Taking care of aquamarines starts with knowing how, when and where to wear them. You need to remember the principle for fashion jewelry: ALWAYS PUT IT ON LAST AND TAKE IT OFF FIRST (LIFO- Last In First Out).
This implies that jewelry must be put on after completion of cosmetics, which includes hair-spray and fragrance. They contain specific harmful chemicals that might cause damage of the aquamarines. Try to manage the gems just possible as natural oil secreted by the skin will dull the their luster gradually. Search for any loose gems or clasps before finally putting on the jewelry.
While doing domestic work or any type of manual work, remove your fashion jewelry. Take care to get rid of aquamarine rings while doing gardening. Necklaces or bracelets can break easily if they get captured in a hook or a sharp edge. If they are subject to blows, aquamarines might break. An unexpected incorrect hit might trigger the loss of among your treasures.
When going to the parlor for hairstyling remember to get rid of any aquamarine earrings that you are using. The very same holds for when you get your hair colored. The chemicals utilized are typically extreme and consist of ammonia and alcohol which may stain your gem.
Prevent excessive direct exposure to sunshine as aquamarines tend to become pale. Constantly take jewelry off before swimming. The chlorine content of water prevents its sheen.
Follow the principle and you shall never ever fail.
CLEANING
Like the majority of other gems, aquamarine needs regular care to make sure that it maintains its semblance. An annual visit to your jeweler is recommended for expert cleaning. He is the very best person to identify even tiny damages in its early phases. Timely correction will lead to your gems looking their finest all the time.
Nevertheless, there are some things that you can do in your home too. After each use wipe the precious jewelry with a soft fabric to remove any make-up or skin oil that it may have gotten. Make certain that the cloth utilized is pure cotton as coarser fabrics tend to graze the surface of the aquamarines. Also prevent utilizing finger-nails while cleaning.
In addition to the above, follow this basic cleaning treatment frequently. Soak aquamarine jewelry in Luke-warm water. Include some moderate liquid soap and leave for some time. Carefully get piece by piece and tidy it with a soft brush till all traces of grime disappear. Lastly, wash off with plain water. Make sure not to utilize a metallic brush as it may scratch the gem. Do the cleansing on a table or flat surface area and not in the sink. A minor slip and it might roll into the drain and be lost permanently.
Toothpaste, acetone, alcohol and ammonia are often advised as cleaning representatives for gems. These suggestions are best neglected. These items may harm the surface area of aquamarines to an extent where expert aid would be needed to return the gem’s initial appearance.
Prevent using the ultrasonic cleaner for aquamarine fashion jewelry. These devices tidy jewelry by an offering a series of sound waves which break the gems irreparably. If the directions specifically mention that the specific piece is safe for ultrasonic cleansing, just then proceed and do it.
KEEPING
When they are used, gemstones are most vulnerable. Incorrect storage methods may also hamper them.
What is the correct storage technique, you may ask. Well, the very same thumb-rule uses to all jewelry including those set with aquamarines. Each piece ought to be carefully covered in a soft fabric. Additionally, it may be kept in a box with individual compartments. Harder stones can scratch the surface area of aquamarines. On the other hand, aquamarines might trigger marks on other stones.
Shop your jewelry box in a safe location. Keep aquamarines away from sunshine. Avoid direct exposure to severe temperature levels.
REPAIRING
Aquamarines are very conscious sudden temperature level modifications. Any sort of repair, specifically soldering ought to be done away from the gems.
What can be done if a piece of fashion jewelry set with aquamarines needs to be repaired? The stones might be coated with a substance called borax or any other heat-shielding matter to avoid damage while soldering. Immense care should be taken while doing this. It is advisable to unset them prior to using heat to the piece of jewelry if the aquamarines are too important. Unsetting is itself a dicey affair so treat these gems with greater care than rubies or diamonds.
Aquamarines should ideally be embeded in 18 carat gold or platinum. Nine or even 14 carat gold need to be avoided.
Acquisition of good quality aquamarines is an art and the inexperienced should speak with a trusted jeweler prior to making the final purchase. Such valuable gems ought to be preserved for posterity. Timely and proper care will guarantee a long life.
Go ahead and flaunt your sea stones but keep in mind to handle them with care and stock them securely!