Learn About Aquamarine
From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!
Aquamarine
- Beryl
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March Birthstone
Round
Heart
Pear
Round
Heart
PearOverview
Aquamarine, the dazzling sea-blue gemstone, gets its name from the Latin word aqua marinus, which means "water of the sea". It is a member of the beryl mineral family. The presence of iron during its formation causes the stone to develop a distinctive hue.
An aquamarine’s color ranges from pale blue to blue-green or teal. Those with a dark and deeply saturated blue tone are considered to be the most valuable and coveted ones.
1. Key Origin
- Brazil is the leading source of aquamarine with mines spread all across the country.
- This clear blue crystal is also mined in Australia, Myanmar (Burma), China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia and Zimbabwe, as well as USA.
2. Associations
- The pleasant yet majestic aquamarine is associated with courage, loyalty and friendship.
- This pastel blue gem is the birthstone for those born in the month of March and is also the anniversary gemstone for the 19th anniversary.
Properties
Rated 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness
01Hardness & Strength
Aquamarines have a glass-like luster and are considerably hard and durable. This gem has been rated 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, which makes it ideal for everyday wear. Aquamarine is a wonderful center stone option for all kinds of jewelry. However, this gemstone is not completely immune to damage and can develop cracks on hard impact.
02Treatment
In its natural state, an aquamarine is usually light blue and greenish-blue in color. In order to remove the green hue, this gemstone is often exposed to extremely high temperatures (approximately 400 degrees Celsius) in a controlled environment. This heat treatment causes the aquamarine to change its physical properties and permanently turn to a more valuable pure blue color. However, in comparison to a treated stone, a natural aquamarine with a bright blue color will always fetch a higher price.
Know About Other Gems
Aquamarine
"From its hue to its name, everything about aquamarine swirls around water. No wonder the mermaids called it their own!”
- Beryl
- Pale blue, Greenish blue, Pastel blue
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Aries Pisces
- Serenity, Clarity, Harmony
- March
- Round
Heart
Pear
Know About Other Gems
Garnet
Don't garnets remind you of pomegranate seeds? Well, turns out their name actually comes from a Latin word that means pomegranate!
- Silicate
- Primarily red
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Capricorn Aquarius
- Love, Friendship, Passion
- January
Amethyst
Amethyst is love in a gem! St. Valentine too is believed to have worn an amethyst ring with Cupid’s image.
- Quartz
- Purple, Pale lilac, Deep reddish purple
- 7 Mohs
-
Aquarius Pisces
- Wisdom, Peace, Good fortune
- February
Citrine
In the middle ages, citrine was also called the ‘merchant's stone’ as it was believed to bring success and prosperity.
- Quartz
- Yellow-orange, Pale yellow
- 7 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Positivity, Optimism
- November
Emerald
Cleopatra was crazy about emeralds! She even took over a few Greek mines, hoping to keep all the jewels for herself.
- Beryl
- Green, Bluish green, Deep green
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
-
Taurus Gemini
- Good fortune, Balance, Growth
- May
Ruby
Did you know ruby and sapphire are cousins? They come from the same mineral family, which is corundum!
- Corundum
- Red
- 9 Mohs
-
Cancer Leo
- Love, Power, Passion
- July
Moonstone
Moonstone was declared the state gem of Florida in 1970 to honor NASA’s lunar landing and the Kennedy Space Center.
- Feldspar
- Colorless, White
- 6 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Gemini Cancer
- Good fortune, Luck
- June
Morganite
Morganites were named after J.P. Morgan, who wasn't just a genius in all things finance, but a gem enthusiast too.
- Beryl
- Pale pink, Peach
- 7.5 to 8 Mohs
- Romance, Love, Harmony
Onyx
Many cultures believed onyx could absorb negativity. In fact, the more negativity it absorbed, the darker it became!
- Silicate
- Primarily black
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
- Courage, Power, Good fortune
Opal
Ancient legends suggest opals fell from the heavens in flashes of lightning. That probably explains why this gem is so magical!
- Hydrated Silica
- All colors
- 5 to 6.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Hope, Purity, Truth
- October
Peridot
Unlike most gemstones that come in different colors, peridot is found only in olive green. It's a special gem, for sure!
- Olivine
- Yellowish green, Deep dark olive, Yellow-green
- 6.5 to 7 Mohs
-
Leo Virgo
- Prosperity, Good fortune
- August
Rhodolite
Rhodolite gets its name from the Greek word ‘rhodon’ which means ‘rose.’ Such an apt name for this pretty stone!
- Garnet group of minerals
- Rose pink - deep purple
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
- Positivity
Rose Quartz
Rose quartz isn't just a pretty gem. It's believed to attract love and bring in peace and tenderness to your life.
- Quartz
- Shades of pink
- 7 Mohs
- Love, Harmony
Sapphire
The most obsessed-over sapphire in the world is the 12-carat stunner on Princess Diana’s legendary engagement ring.
- Corundum
- Every color but red
- 9 Mohs
-
Libra Virgo
- Truth, Sincerity, Loyalty
- September
Swiss Blue Topaz
Wear a topaz and it could make you invisible in times of emergency. Farfetched? Well, that's what the Ancient Greeks believed!
- Silicate
- Yellow, Orange, Brown
- 8 Mohs
-
Scorpio Sagittarius
- Love, Loyalty
- November
Tanzanite
Though a new discovery, tanzanites could quickly become extinct! It's because they're mined in only one place on Earth.
- Zoisite
- Violet purple, Bluish violet
- 6 to 7 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Abundance, New beginnings
- December
Tourmaline
Self-love is the best kind of love and tourmaline is considered to be the best gem to help you in this journey.
- Silicate
- All colors
- 7 to 7.5 Mohs
-
Libra Scorpio
- Friendship, Compassion
- October
Tsavorite
Tsavorites may look like emeralds, but in reality, they are roughly 200 times rarer than emeralds.
- Garnet group of minerals
- Green
- 6.5 to 7.5 Mohs
- Strength, Vitality, Positivity
Turquoise
Would you believe us if we told you that the gorgeous turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in the world?
- Turquoise
- Blue, Greenish blue
- 5 to 6 Mohs
-
Sagittarius Capricorn
- Positivity, Happiness
- December
The 4C’s
Aquamarine is one of the most popular semi-precious stones in the world. The below-mentioned factors help determine an aquamarine’s true value:
- Color
- Carat
- Clarity
- Cuts
01Color
- Just like sea water, this gemstone’s color ranges in shades of green-blue, pastel blue and greenish blue.
- Gems with a darker shade and significant intensity are more expensive than the paler, softer blues versions as those are commonly available.
- Most of the dark colored aquamarines found in the market are heat treated for a richer, more intense color.
02Carat
- This gemstone is available in a variety of sizes; from very small to extremely large.
- Large stones, especially, are available in abundance but their use in jewelry pieces is a challenge unless utilized as center stones.
- Due to low demand, large aquamarine stones that weigh more than 25 carats have less value.
03Clarity
- An aquamarine of the best quality is clear, transparent and eye-clean, which means it does not have inclusions visible to the naked eye.
- Some stones may carry liquid inclusions, while some have long, hollow, rod-like inclusions that are common in gems of the beryl family.
- Aligned traces of parallel inclusions sometimes cause a cat's eye or star-like effect, which are very rare in this crystal.
04Cuts
- This gorgeous, pastel blue gemstone can be cut into almost any shape.
- Aquamarines, however, most commonly come in emerald cuts or in an oval shape.
- The rough gems are available in plenty and in large sizes, therefore well-cut aquamarines are also found in abundance.
Quality & Grading
Based on its properties, an aquamarine can be classified into the following categories of quality:
| Gem Quality | Color | Clarity | Brilliance | Rareness | Shop Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heirloom (AAAA) |  Swiss Blue | Eye Clean | Very High | Top 1% |
Heart-Shaped Aquamarine Infinity Pendant with Diamond Accents$1709 |
| Best (AAA) |  Light Swiss Blue | Eye Clean | High | Top 10% |
Aquamarine and Diamond Twisted Vine Engagement Ring$1129 |
| Better (AA) |  Sky Blue | Slightly Included | Medium | Top 33% |
Pear-Shaped Aquamarine Solitaire Pendant$959 |
| Good (A) |  Light Sky Blue | Slightly Included | Low | Top 75% |
Aquamarine and Diamond Tennis Bolo Bracelet$1179 |
Latest Pick from Aquamarine Jewelry
Rings
Earrings
Bracelets
Necklaces
Aquamarine and Diamond Twisted Vine Engagement Ring
$1369
Classic Round Aquamarine and Diamond Three Stone Engagement Ring
$3329
Solitaire Aquamarine Infinity Knot Engagement Ring
$1409
Solitaire Oval Aquamarine and Diamond Promise Ring
$1299
Solitaire Aquamarine Twisted Split Shank Engagement Ring
$1349
Care Instructions
Aquamarine is a durable gemstone, but it still requires care and maintenance. Everyday wear can cause accumulation of dirt, and will also reduce its luster and brilliance. However, there are a few things one needs to keep in mind to maintain its luster.
FAQs
1. Are aquamarines valuable?
Yes, aquamarines are valued for their stunning sea-blue to bluish-green hues. Their value depends on factors such as color intensity, clarity, carat weight and cut. Deeper, more vivid blue aquamarines are typically more valuable, although lighter shades are also highly sought after for their serene charm.
2. Are aquamarines expensive?
Aquamarines are relatively affordable compared to other gemstones such as diamonds or emeralds. However, larger stones with deep, vibrant blue tones can be a bit expensive due to their rarity and desirability.
3. Are aquamarines natural or treated?
Most aquamarines are natural, but it’s common for them to undergo heat treatment to enhance their color by reducing any greenish tints. This treatment is permanent and widely accepted in the gemstone industry.
4. Are aquamarines graded differently than diamonds?
Yes, aquamarines are graded differently than diamonds. While diamonds are assessed according to the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, carat), aquamarines are evaluated mainly on their color, clarity and cut. Since aquamarines are typically free of visible inclusions, their clarity is a key factor in determining quality.
5. What is the difference between aquamarines and other blue gemstones such as blue topaz or sapphire?
Aquamarines have a soft, pastel blue to bluish-green color, often described as calming and serene. Blue topaz tends to have a brighter, more electric blue hue, while sapphires typically display a deep, rich royal blue. Aquamarines also belong to the beryl family, making them distinct in composition and character from these other gems.
