AQUAMARINE: THE BIRTHSTONE FOR THE MONTH OF MARCH

The name aquamarine comes from Latin and means "water of the sea." In the past, sailors believed that this gem had the power to calm the waves and ensure the safety of navigators at sea.

Birthstone of the month of March, it was also considered a symbol of happiness and harmony in marriage.

Aquamarine is part of the beryl family and is not only the birthstone of March: it is also given as a gift for the 19th wedding anniversary. Among famous specimens, in 1936, the government of Brazil presented First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt with a dark blue, rectangular, step-cut aquamarine weighing 1,298 carats (ct). It was the largest of two stones cut from a rough aquamarine crystal that weighed an impressive 2.9 pounds (1.3 kilograms).

It is now housed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is durable enough to be worn daily.

The gem is pleochroic, meaning it shows different colors depending on the direction of the crystal. In the case of aquamarine, these range from almost colorless to deep blue.

The government of Brazil gave this 1,298 ct rectangular step cut aquamarine to Eleanor Roosevelt when she and President Roosevelt visited Rio de Janeiro in 1936. Courtesy: The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, Hyde Park, New York

What factors determine the quality of an aquamarine?

Color

The color range of aquamarine is quite limited: it can be blue, very slightly greenish blue, greenish blue, strongly greenish blue, or blue-green. The most valuable color is a dark to slightly greenish blue, with moderately strong intensity. Generally, the purer and more intense the blue, the more valuable the stone. Most aquamarines are a light greenish blue.

Faceted aquamarines often need to be quite large, usually over 5 carats, to show an intense and dark color. Small stones are rarely saturated enough.

However, some mining regions in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, Madagascar, and Mozambique, are known to produce stones with intense color even below 5 carats. Thus, small stones of exceptional color can sometimes sell for more per carat than larger stones of the same color.

Clarity

Most faceted aquamarines are eye-clean (without visible inclusions). Some crystals may contain liquid inclusions, but clarity characteristics are rare or absent in most finished gems. Stones with visible inclusions are generally cut into cabochons, beads, or carvings.

Cut

Aquamarines lend themselves to almost all shapes of cut, but lapidaries often prefer the emerald cut, as well as round or oval brilliant cuts. Since the rough material is relatively abundant, well-cut stones remain quite common.

Carat Weight

Aquamarine crystals come in sizes ranging from very small to very large, with some even reaching 100 pounds (45 kg). Although large stones are relatively easy to find, their use in jewelry remains limited, which reduces demand, except when they serve as center stones. Therefore, the price per carat tends to decrease for stones exceeding 25 carats.

Where is aquamarine found?

The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has been an important source of aquamarine for over two centuries.

Aquamarine is also mined in the high foothills of the Karakoram in Pakistan. To reach these deposits, miners must climb steep trails to altitudes of 9,800 to over 13,000 feet (3,000 to over 4,000 meters) and work on the sides of steep cliffs. Aquamarine from this region is often described as "clear as water."

Aquamarines are also mined in Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, and Mozambique, as well as in other regions of Africa. In the United States, they can be found in the Mount Antero region of Colorado (where it is the official state stone), as well as in Riverside and San Diego counties in California. Additionally, aquamarine has been discovered in several other countries, including China, Myanmar, Russia, and Ukraine.

Cleaning aquamarine

Caring for aquamarine is simple: Use warm water, mild dish soap, and a toothbrush to clean behind the stone, where dirt can accumulate.

Want to wear aquamarine daily? Explore our collection of jewelry and gemstones at Gemwheel, or transform your stone into a unique piece of jewelry with our design and redesign service.