The fascinating stone called aquamarine has best color that nature offers us. Its color ranges from light blue of the sky to the deep blue of the sea, a truly beautiful gem. The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word ‘aqua’ meaning sea and ‘mare’ meaning water. This alluring gem has always inspired many designers throughout the world to create some extraordinary designs with superb cut. The beautiful color of aquamarine complements almost any skin or eye color making it completely irresistible.
Birthstone for the month of March and gemstone for 16th and 19th anniversary this aqua variety of mineral beryl has always fantasized jewelry lovers all over. Aquamarine has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Beryl Aquamarine is a Cyclosilicate made up of beryllium (Be) aluminum silicate, sodium (Na), lithium (Li), and cesium (Cs).According to some old legends aquamarine originated in the treasure chest of mermaids and since then has been associated with the ocean. Its beautiful blue color truly represents water with its life-giving force. Greek sailors earlier wore aquamarine amulets to please the sea god.
Aquamarines are found in granite and metamorphic rock. They are surface mined using an open-pit. In Africa, most of the aquamarine mining is done by hand. Aquamarines are found in: Brazil, Pakistan, Madagascar, Siberia, and the United States (Colorado). They occur in conjunction with quartz, microcline, muscovite, and almandine in metamorphic pegmatite. Brazil is a country where these fine beryls are abundant.
Aquamarines are dichroic with sufficient deep color which is appreciable. Two colors seen are pure but pale blue and the other very pale yellowish-green which is almost colorless. Deep color specimen’s dichroism can be observed my naked eyes. . Aquamarines have white streak, if we crush the stone only white powder is left no matter what color aquamarine is. This precious beryl has a uniform color. Flawless and perfectly transparent stones are more easily available than emeralds of similar descriptions.
Heat treatment is done to aquamarines for the removal of iron impurities making the aquamarine to appear clean and pure blue in color. Heat treatment is a well accepted practice for aquamarines in the jewelry industry. While taking care of aquamarine at home it should always be cleaned with warm soapy water with a soft bristle brush. Chemical cleaners, detergents and a lot of exposure to sunlight should be avoided.
