When asked about aquamarines, most people will picture a beaming blue gem and talk about its vibrancy, appeal, charm, etc. But what if you were asked to mention whether this alluring jewel is precious or semi-precious?
Not sure? Well, don’t worry, we have the answer for you but before that let’s get to know this blue jewel a little more.
The Backstory
The origin of aquamarine (translated to ‘water of the sea’ in Latin) can be traced back to thousands of years. During ancient times, Egyptians and Sumerians regarded this gem as a symbol of youth and happiness. On the other hand, early Romans and Greeks considered it to be the sailor’s gem and believed that aquamarine ensured safe travel through the seas.
Symbolism
Aquamarine’s blue hue is said to have a calming effect on the nerves and reduce stress. It is said to bestow its wearer with wisdom, clarity of thoughts, courage, and tolerance. Plus, aquamarines are said to bring about harmony in married life and are given as a token of love and fidelity.
Now, back to the question – Is aquamarine precious or not?
During the 1800s, gemstones were categorized as – precious and semi-precious, depending on various factors which were established in that era. And despite the lack of any scientific backing for this, the same classification is followed to date.
As per this bifurcation, there are only four precious gems namely diamond, ruby, emerald, and sapphire. All the other jewels, including aquamarine, are identified as semi-precious gems.
Does this mean aquamarine isn’t special?
Of course not! Aquamarine’s ‘semi-precious’ status doesn’t take away its amazing qualities or popularity.
Here is a list of all the reasons that make this gem unique and treasured in its own right.
- Color – Reflecting the beauty of the blue seas, aquamarine’s hue is undoubtedly its most cherished quality. Its color ranges from pale blue to greenish-blue to intense blue. Of all these shades, the deep blue-hued gem is deemed highly valuable.
- Pleochroism – This gem is pleochroic in nature meaning it has the ability to display different colors when viewed from different angles. In the case of aquamarine, this goes from colorless to blue to strong blue.
- Clarity – Another valued feature of this gem is its clarity. Most faceted aquamarines tend to be ‘eye-clean,’ i.e., you cannot see any flaws in them with naked eyes. Fewer gems might show liquid inclusions which are removed and if that cannot be done, then such gems are fashioned as cabochons or beads to hide these inclusions.
- Cut – Unlike other gems, aquamarines can practically be cut into almost any shape. This is because they are easily accessible indicating that there is plenty of aquamarine rough to work with. Hence, they are popular with jewelry designers, and well-cut gems are a fairly common sight.
- Durability – The hardness of a gem (resistance to scratching), measured using the mineral hardness scale (Mohs), is an indication of its everyday usability. Aquamarine ranks between 7.5 to 8, which means that it is fairly durable and tough and can be worn regularly.
Final Note
As a result of traditional categorization, this gem belongs to the ‘semi-precious’ category, but it is definitely very special. And all its qualities, along with easy availability and affordability, make aquamarine a gem worth possessing and flaunting.
Also Read
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- Black Gemstones
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- Gray Gemstones
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- Pink Gemstones
- Red Gemstones
- White Gemstones
- Yellow Gemstones
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