AQUAMARINES


What is Aquamarine?

Aquamarine is a semi-precious stone which belongs to Beryl family like Emerald. It is derived from Latin word “Aqua Marina” which means “Sea Water”.  It was also said that it can calm the sea storms so people use to keep them while travelling on ships.

Aquamarine has a very rich history it was first discovered in 1723 at Adun-Chalon Mountains in Siberia. It was rich with aquamarine and production took peak in 1796

It is found in bluish shade, greenish blue and even colorless. But most valued color is blue which is preferred a lot and even is comparatively expensive. It lies at 7.5 – 8 Mohs Hardness Scale out of 10.

The deep blue version of Aquamarine is also called “Maxixe” & “Santa Maria”. It is found in many places but rich blue is commonly found in Brazil and Madagascar.

Blue Topaz is often sold to people by giving it different names like Brazilian Aquamarine, so beware of such fraudulent affair and buy the stone from someone who is authentic dealer.

It is very clear as compared to Emerald related to inclusions. When one looks it in sunlight is might change color as it becomes white from certain angle.

Aquamarine is always graded on the bases of 4C's

CLARITY of the stone.

COLOR of the stone.

CUT of the stone.

CARATS of the stone.

You will often find heat treated aquamarines in the market only an expert can tell either it is heat treated or not. But people prefer the treated ones more because it enhances the color of the gem.

Aquamarine also come in greenish blue color which on heating at certain temperature makes it blue, that increase the value of the stone due to clarity and blue color.

 

A Few Experts Tips

  • If you get in a situation that you want to buy it on your own “Don’t do it or Consult Some Expert”.
  • Check the color it ranges from deep sky blue to lighter shade, Greenish blue to pale shade. If you feel that the colors are very unnatural don’t buy it. Specially don’t fall for any other blue stone.
  • As stated that it is hard gem and has 7.5 – 8 Mohn Hardness so look for scratches on the surface of the stone if you find them it might be glass or scratch it with your nail if it leaves scratches its glass.
  • It is usually clear if you find bubbles or blemish don’t buy it.
  • It might sound funny but yes a few experts also suggest Coolness test. Place the gem on your forehead if it feels like it is at room temperature it might be glass, but if it feels cool and pleasant its aquamarine.

Thought these are not those advises on the bases of which you start thinking that you can buy it without falling into a trap.

Always refer to some expert.

 

TYPES OF AQUAMARINE


Brazilian Aquamarine

Brazil is famous for producing rich fine quality deep rich colored blue to greenish blue aquamarines. There are several mines in Brazil but most valued are the ones in the State Minas-Gerais” which means “General Mines”.

The most famous Santa Maria Aquamarine which is very rare to find it has a rich blue color was first discovered from Santa Maria De Itabira mine in Brazil.

Aquamarine of Santa Maria got so famous that now they name such rich colored Aquamarine as Santa Maria. Brazil has given such beautiful gems that are yet famous every ware.

Queen Elizabeth ll was gifted with a necklace and earrings of Brazilian Aquamarine by the president of Brazil in 1953. The necklace contains large 10 Aquamarines and large Aquamarine earrings.


Then in 1957 Queen was given a Tiara made of Aquamarines and Diamonds. Later in 1958 Queen was again gifted a Bracelet and a Brooch made of Brazilian Aquamarines.

World’s Largest Aquamarine is also of Brazil, Dom Pedro Aquamarine. It was mined around 1980 from Pedra Azul mine in state of Minas-Gerais in Brazil. It was donated to Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington.


Aquamarine is extracted from Rio Grande Do Norte, Ceara and a few others.

 

Madagascar Aquamarine

Madagascar is also very famous for producing lots of gemstones including Aquamarine. It gives medium blue colored to greenish blue aquamarines.

Once there was a time that they were considered very expensive, later the sales came down due to other origins of aquamarine.

It has lots of working areas from where this gem is being extracted, Pyin-O-Lwin District of Mandalay Region is rich with aquamarines, Kyaukme District of Shan State, Alaotra-Mangoro, Amoron ‘I Mania and many other places.

 

Pakistani Aquamarine

Pakistan produces very fine quality aquamarines those are very famous around the world.

Aquamarines of Pakistan have pale blue, greenish blue to transparent tints and of very demanding quality.

Aquamarine show a long hexagonal prism and can lead to many centimeters long and of appearance and beauty suitable for jewelry.

Aquamarines are found in the northern areas of Pakistan. Interesting fact is that it’s famous that aquamarines are also extracted from Karakorum Range at high elevation nearly 15000 feet.

Aquamarine are found in Gilgit-Baltistan’s Astore, Diamer, Giligit, Hunza, Nagar, Rakaposhi, Shigar, Skardu

 

Russian Aquamarine

As the history tells us that the first ever Aquamarine was discovered in Siberia, Russia.

Russia is famous for high quality aquamarines because of their beautiful color and appearance from blue to pale bluish shade, you can even find aquamarines with green tints but they are often beautified through heat treatment.

 Aquamarines are found in Prigorodny District of Sverdlovsk Oblast Region at Yuzhakovo, Alabashka Pegmatite Field and Kazennitsa vein.

Aquamarines are also found of good quality in Zabaykalsky Krai at Nerchinsk Gem Mines, Adun-Chalon, Novaya Vein, Millionnaya Mine and many more.

 

American Aquamarine

America is also the producer of aquamarine but its gems are not of the desirable quality as compared to Brazil, Madagascar or Pakistan.

It gives mostly transparent or whitish shade of aquamarines and those some good quality are found in Colorado and California.

Aquamarines are also found in San Diego and Maine.

Good quality Aquamarines are also found in different countries as well Afghanistan, Zambia, Burma, Sri Lanka, China, Kenya, Mozambique, Australia, India and Nigeria.


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