Consumer Information

What color is it?:Well, in its better colors its a lot darker than the one I have shown above. Unfortunately, most people see the very light blue color of aquamarine. But in its finest color aquamarine will be a rather dark blue, rivaling a nice medium blue sapphire. But they are rare and expensive.

What is the story behind this gemstone?: For many years a favorite of many consumers. It lost some of its appeal when the much cheaper treated blue topaz come onto the market. But a nice, medium dark blue aquamarine is a very, very fine gift for any occasion.

Can I wear it everyday?: Yes. Although this is a sister stone to an emerald (both beryls) aquamarine does not have the brittleness that is sometimes associated with emerald.

Is it expensive?: Aquamarines in the very light blue color as seen in the photo above will be priced comparable to a green tourmaline. But the darker blue colors will cost much more in the range of a fine chrysoberyl.

Is it a birthstone?: March

What do I need to know before going shopping?: You need to stay with a professional independent jeweler who knows his or her colored gemstones. Far too many blue topaz have been sold as aquamarines by jewelers who did not know how to properly identify a nice aquamarine. So stay with a well established jeweler who deals in a lot of colored gemstones.

General Information

Aquamarine crystal of 5 inches in length on matrix

Source: Brazil is the source of the finest aquamarines

Chemical: BeAlSiO2 (same as emerald but colored by iron)

Formation: Pegmatite Dikes

Crystal System: Hexagonal

Unusual Properties: None

Gemological Information

RI: 1.577 - 1.583

Birefringence: .006

Optic Character: U-

Specific Gravity: 2.72

Hardness: 7.5

Transparency: TP

Special Identifying Properties and Tests: None

Synthetics: None at this time but I am sure they are being developed as the market increases

Imitations: Many including blue topaz, synthetic blue spinel, and others