Aquamarine is a one of variety beryl stones which is a Silicate mineral that includes emerald, morganite and others. Pure beryl is colorless but the aquamarine's color is blue or turquoise and is a beautiful reflection of estate jewelry.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Aquamarine is the birthstone associated with March and October. The emerald is the birthstone associated with January, May and June.
For more details on birthstone and it's meaning

Please have a look at our wonderful rings with this gemstone

ORIGIN OF NAME
The name "aquamarine" is derived from Latin words which mean "sea water", in reference to the color of the gemstone.

HISTORY
Prior to the 1900's, the preferred color for aquamarines was a light bluish-green. The first documented use of aquamarine was 2,500 years ago by the Greeks. Since the seventeenth century, aquamarines have become more popular.

GEMSTONE POPULRITY IN VINTAGE PERIODS:
Aquamarines have been popular in the following jewelry periods:
Victorian Jewelry Period
Retro Modern Jewelry Period
Contemporary Estate Jewelry

EVALUATIONS
The most intense blue color for an aquamarine results in a higher value for the gemstone. Aquamarines have a high transparency and clarity even when magnified. Aquamarines with intense color are becoming very scarce and as a result their price is increasing substantially. Aquamarine is now frequently heat treated to remove the green color tones, this creates a permanent color change.

FORMATION
It is the introduction of iron to beryllium that creates the magnificent blue of the aquamarine. Aquamarines are found as well-formed crystals in pegmatities. Beryls are not sufficiently dense to concentrate in placers and are usually mined from the source or in its weathered equivalent. Rods and ghost lines are often found in aquamarines (90%).

LEGENDS
Aquamarine amulets were thought to leave sailors fearless and protect them from trouble at sea, especially when the stone was engraved with the Poseidon on a chariot. According to Christian symbolism, the stone signified moderation and passion control.

HARDNESS
With a hardness of 7.5 to 8, on the Moh's Scale, aquamarines are hard enough for daily wear. The measure of relative hardness, Moh's Scale defines common stones and minerals for the hardness and durability. Hardness is one measure of the strength of the mineral relative to its chemical bonds. It is not the same as brittleness, which is related to the structure of the mineral. Hardness is tested by scratching. Using Moh's Scale, the higher the number, the harder the mineral. talc (used to write on chalkboards) is defined as the softest mineral and is given the value of one. Diamonds are the hardest and are given the value of ten.

Links to MOH's SCALE and specific gravity

CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Estate aquamarine jewelry should not be placed in ultrasonics and steam cleaners should be avoided.

Don't miss our amazing jewelry with this gemstone

TECHNICAL DATA
Crystal system: hexagonal
Cleavage: Poor to good depending on clarity
Refractive Index 1.57 - 1.60
Double Refracting, uniaxial negative
Specific Gravity: 2.67 - 2.80

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