Aquamarine Buying Guide: a comprehensive guide to Aquamarine gems

Aquamarine is extremely popular worldwide and has been used in Jewelry for thousands of year.

Aquamarine is a beautiful light blue,  blue-green or aqua blue gem. It is a member of the Beryl family of gems which includes Emerald, Morganite, and Heliodor. Other colors of Beryl are simply referred to by their color, such as Red Beryl and White Beryl. Red Beryl is extremely rare.

The name Aquamarine is derived from the Latin words aqua (water) and mare (sea).

Getting married?  It is considered lucky for a bride to wear an Aquamarine on her wedding day, It can also double as your something blue.  Aquamarine is also the anniversary gemstone for the 16th and 19th year of marriage.

Aquamarine Butterfly

What to look for when buying an Aquamarine.

• Color: ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the color of an Aquamarine the more valuable it is.  Some Aquamarines have a light green shimmer to them this is ok but most people prefer the pure clear blues. 
• Clarity: Unlike their famous cousin the Emerald, Aquamarines have very few inclusions.  Most small Aquamarines, 1 carat or less should have very little or no inclusions or flaws at all. Larger gem many have a few more. A heavily included Aquamarine should be passed by.
• Cut: Aquamarines come in an amazing array of shapes and sizes.  They are easier to cut then other gems and can also be carve.  Look for vary clean line in the faceting.
• Carat weight:  Aquamarines are plentiful and can be found easily is sizes up to 5 carast, larger sizes are available but you will pay a premium for gems above 5 carats.
• Cost: Small gems can be found for as little as $0.25 to $10.00 each, while larger gem could cost up to several hundred dollars.
• Caution: Blue topaz is often passed off as Aquamarine.  Always buy from a reputable dealer

Treatment:  99.9% of all Aquamarines on the market are heat treated to remove undesirable yellow and brown coloring.  Very rarely do un-treated Aquamarines come on the market, when they do, they are quickly snapped up by gem collectors. 

Very rare non-treated Aquamarine heart.

Location:

1. The Best: The Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, has rare, intense blue aquamarines
2. Good: Russia from the Ural mountains. Africa, particularly Mozambique called 'Santa Maria Africana'. The 'Espirito Santo' Fortaleza and Marambaia in Brazil and The United States.
3. Fair: India, Afghanistan and Pakistan

Santa Maria Aquamarines

Care and treatment: Aquamarine is very durable but care should be taken to protect aquamarine from scratches and sharp blows. Store Aquamarine jewelry in the dark place, as it often becomes paler if left out in the sun. Clean your Aquamarine in ultrasonic jewelry cleaner or with warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush.

Healing properties: Aquamarine is sometimes called the "stone of Courage." It is used to help you observe your thoughts, your environment, and the people around you,thus making you wise and prepared to face life.

Metapsystical power: Aquamarine has a soothing effect on "just married" couples, assisting them in working out their differences and insuring a long and happy marriage. Aquamarine is said to re-awaken love in long-married couples and signify the making of new friends.
It also provides courage and strengthens the will. Aquamarine protects against the wiles of the devil.  Some say that the Aquamarine is an excellent stone for meditation.

Trillion Aqaumarine

VARIETY INFORMATION:

• VARIETY OF: Beryl , Be3 Al2 Si6 O18 .
• USES: Gemstone.
• BIRTHSTONE FOR: March
• COLOR: various shades of blue to blue-green.
• INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.57 - 1.60
• BIREFRINGENCE: 0.004 - 0.008
• HARDNESS: 7.5 - 8
• CLEAVAGE: one direction, poor.
• CRYSTAL SYSTEM: hexagonal
• Pleochroic: weak

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