Everything You Want to Know About Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a clear gemstone known for its fresh blue to blue-green colors. The name is derived from the Latin ” aqua marina,” which literally means “seawater” and refers to the stone’s color.

The stone belongs to the beryl family, just like emerald and morganite, and has been prized for centuries for its clear appearance and excellent wearability.

Thanks to its good hardness and durability, aquamarine is suitable for many different types of jewelry, including rings, pendants, and earrings.

On this page, you can read all about the properties of aquamarine, its various colors, how it forms, and how to care for this special gemstone.

Aquamarine at a Glance

Mineral: Beryl

Chemical composition: Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆

Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale

Suitable for everyday wear: ★★★★☆

Most common colors: Light blue and blue-green

Birthstone: March

Properties of Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a blue variety of the mineral beryl. Its color is caused by small amounts of iron in the stone.

With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is highly scratch-resistant and therefore suitable for jewelry that is worn regularly.

Aquamarine is known for its high clarity and transparency. Many stones contain few visible inclusions, which contributes to the stone’s clear and fresh appearance.

Shades of aquamarine

Aquamarine comes in various shades of blue and blue-green.

Common colors include:

• Light blue
• Sky Blue
• Blue-green
• Green-blue
• Deep Blue

In general, deeper and more saturated shades of blue are the most highly valued.

Natural, treated, and lab-grown aquamarine

Natural aquamarine

Virtually all aquamarines used in jewelry are naturally formed and often contain few visible inclusions.

Treated aquamarine

A large proportion of the aquamarines on the market are heat-treated to reduce unwanted green hues and bring out the blue color more vividly. This treatment is widely accepted within the gemstone industry.

Lab-grown aquamarine

Lab-grown aquamarine plays only a minor role in the jewelry industry. Most aquamarines used in jewelry are natural.

Origin and Locations

Major sources of aquamarine include Brazil, Pakistan, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, and Afghanistan.

Brazil is one of the leading producers of aquamarine and is known for stones with high clarity and beautiful blue colors.

Care

Aquamarine is easy to care for and can be cleaned with lukewarm water, a soft brush, and a little mild soap.

Thanks to its good durability, aquamarine is suitable for everyday use, although it’s still wise to avoid hard impacts and contact with harsh chemicals as much as possible.

Summary

Aquamarine is a clear and durable gemstone known for its fresh blue hues and high clarity. Thanks to its good hardness and timeless appeal, the stone is suitable for a wide variety of jewelry and is a popular choice for those looking for an elegant gemstone with a serene appearance.

Looking for more information about other gemstones? Check out the complete gemstone guide for an overview of all gemstones and their properties.