Aquamarine

Big Photo

Aquamarine Dreamscape Cut
15.90 carats
© johndyergems.com

Aquamarine (from Latin: aqua marina, "water of the sea") is so named because of its seawater colour.

It is a pale to medium blue, blue-green variety of beryl, probably the most common colour for gem quality beryl.

Crystals of gem quality can be very large. Unique Brazilian aquamarines such as the Marta Rocha with a weight of 37.7 kg produced 57.200 carats of cut stones, the Urubu with a weight of 33.2 kg, the Jacueto with a weight of 19 kg, and others, are widely known.

A deeper blue variety originally called Maxixe after the Maxixe mine in Brazil where it was found, is better referred to as Blue beryl (Maxixe).
132 photos

Aquamarine Gemstones by Colour

This table shows the variety of hues this gemstone can be found in. Click on a photo for more information.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Aquamarine Gemstones by Size

This table shows distribution of Aquamarine gemstone sizes that are listed on this site. This can give a good indication as to the general availability of this gemstone in different sizes.
Contributed photos
Lightest:0.14 cts
Heaviest:61.60 cts
Average:8.98 cts
Total photos:135
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Significant stones
Papamel552,500 cts
Marta Rocha173,500 cts
Esterela de Alve96,000 cts
Dom Pedro aquamarine10,363 cts
0.14ct to 6.29ct6.29ct to 12.43ct12.43ct to 18.58ct18.58ct to 24.72ct24.72ct to 30.87ct30.87ct to 37.02ct37.02ct to 43.16ct43.16ct to 49.31ct49.31ct to 55.45ct55.45ct to 61.60ct
General Information
A variety or type of:Beryl
Varieties/Types:
Blue Beryl (Maxixe) - Deep blue beryl.
Significant stones
ImageNameWeightCountry of OriginCurrent Owner
Papamel552,500.00 ctsBrazil
Marta Rocha173,500.00 ctsBrazil
Esterela de Alve96,000.00 ctsBrazil
Dom Pedro aquamarine10,363.00 ctsBrazilSmithsonian Institution
Aquamarine Treatments
Greenish hue removed by heat-treatment - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Lower qualities are heated to 725-850 degrees F (400-450 degrees C) to change them to the desired, permanent aquamarine blue. Higher heat will lead to discoloration. Colors can also be improved with neutron and gamma irradiation, but these changes do not last. - Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world, 2001, p 90
Aquamarine Simulants
Blue topaz: trichroism (weak to none): colorless - (pinkish) - bluish; Chelsea: may appear yellowish-greenish, grayish, bluish, pinkish. Synthetic spinel and synthetic quartz: Chelsea: pinkish to red - Blue Chart Gem Identification, Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, 2010, p 6
Synthetic Aquamarine
Synthetic aquamarine can be produced but is uneconomical. - Walter Schumann, Gemstones of the world, 2001, p 90
Physical Properties of Aquamarine
Mohs Hardness7.5 to 8
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Specific Gravity2.66 to 2.80
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Refractive Index1.570 to 1.592
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Optical CharacterUniaxial/-
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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Birefringence0.005 to 0.009
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
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PleochroismDichroism: colorless to greenish bluish - blue to sky blue. Greenish-blue stones - distinct: yellowish-greenish - blue-green
Herve Nicolas Lazzarelli, Blue Chart Gem Identification (2010)
Dispersion
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