Aquamarine Gemstone Facts

12 Facts About the Birthstone Aquamarine

Have you ever wondered how aquamarine got its name or where it is mined? Here are twelve interesting facts about this fascinating gemstone.

Name
The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin words for water and sea. This has led to myths and folklore about the connection of the stone with the sea.

Color
Aquamarine is well known for its distinctive blue-green color. The color is quite unlike any other mineral or gemstone making this a lovely choice for someone looking for something very special. The colors range from deep shades through to the palest of blues that are almost transparent.

Iron
The color of the gemstone is influenced by the amount of iron that is featured in the aquamarine structure. This is why the color varies between green and blue.

Folklore
Another interesting fact about the birthstone aquamarine is that it is said to protect sailors when at sea. Many generations of sailors have believed that aquamarine has protected them while traveling at sea and delivered them back safely to their loved ones at the end of their voyage. People who believe in the natural healing powers of crystals will use aquamarine to help alleviate the symptoms of stress or use them as worry stones.

Related to Emeralds
Both emeralds and aquamarine are members of the Beryl variety of gemstones. Many people are unaware that these stones are so closely related. Emeralds are the most rare and precious of the Beryl gemstones, however fine examples of aquamarine are also highly prized.

Birthstone
One of the most common facts about the birthstone aquamarine is that it is attached to the month of March. People born in March or who have a special occasion falling within the month often wear aquamarine jewelry. This also makes a great gift. The Zodiac sign for March is Pisces and Scorpio and aquamarine often features in Zodiac jewelry.

Heat Treatment
As with some other gemstones, aquamarine can be heat treated to give it a better and more constant color. This often results in a stone that is bluer than the natural alternative. Heat treated stones should be clearly marked as such and are often lower in price than natural stones with the same hue.

Hardness
Aquamarine registers between a 7 and an 8 on Mohs scale. This is the unit of measurement that is used to test the hardness of different kinds of gemstones. A diamond measures 10 on the hardness scale. Aquamarine is relatively hard and will withstand daily wear.

Size
Unlike other gemstones, aquamarine is found in a wide range of sizes. This means that large specimen pieces of aquamarine are affordable for mineral collectors as well as smaller pieces available for setting into jewelry.

Source
Aquamarine is mined in many countries across the world. Some of the countries that mine aquamarine include Brazil, Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Pakistan and Mozambique. Many of the gem quality examples of aquamarine are mined in Brazil and these are commonly used in jewelry.

Cut
The clear nature of the aquamarine gemstone means that it is often faceted. This means that the surface of the stone is cut with many tiny individual cuts and this reflects the light and makes the stone sparkle. Other ways of cutting an aquamarine include the cabochon cut and this looks particularly effective with darker colored stones.

Use
The uses of aquamarine in jewelry are extensive. It makes lovely rings, pendants and earrings and looks stunning when set into sterling silver. Aquamarine also looks great when set into white gold as the cool white of the metal sets off the light blue color of the stone.

Aquamarine Gemstone Facts