Aquamarine Gemstones

Aquamarine Gemstones

The word aquaamrine symbolizes the deep blue waters of the sea. Aqua means ‘water’ and marine means ‘of the sea’. The name obviously comes from the fact that all aquamarines are blue in color. The gem owes its name and popularity to the unique color that it has. This blue gemstone is the birthstone for the people born in the month of March and hence called as the March Birthstone.

In India, the gem is know by it trade name ‘Beruj’. It is the birth stone for the month of march and a quality is sought after gem.

The aquamarine rough was first mined in 1811 in Brazil. However, history has it that it has been used in jewelry much before this time. One of the first documented proofs of the use of aquamarine gemstones exists between 480 and 300 BC. This gem was used by the Greeks to make aquamarine jewelry. In the middle ages, people believed that this gem stone could magical overcome the effects of poison.

Pirates and sailors used small opaque and translucent aquamarine rocks and (some times good quality aquamarine crystals too) as amulets and believed that it would protect them from the raging sea and ensure a safe return. In some parts of the world the aquamarine birthstone is considered to be a symbol of eternal youth, joy and happiness.

Aquamarine Color
While all the aquamarine gemstones are a lovely blue color, they can be found in colors that are bluish-green, blue-green, light greenish-blue, greenish blue, light blue natural and beautiful light blue. The trace element in this case is iron. Regardless of its luster, even the most well polished deepest blue genuine aquamarine gemstone does not match up to the royal blue excellent brilliance of the sapphire gemstone.

Cut
Since the supply of genuine natural aquamarine gemstone is large, the rough material with heavy inclusions are often used in carving. The good clear transparent crystals are faceted into various simple shapes like oval, round and complicated ones like square princess, heart shaped, trillion cut, pear cut etc. Gems with different types of fancy cut and cushion cut are commonly used in fashion jewelry like rings, bracelets, earrings, pendants etc.

Carat
Not only these gemstones are available in abundance but also the sizes that they are available are in large. The mines of Minas Gerais, Brazil produced the largest aquamarine till date in 1990. It weighed 110 Kilograms and was 19 inches long with a diameter of 15 inches.

Aquamarine Gemstones