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Aquamarine Gemstones:

Aquamarine is found in a wide range of blue shades, from light sky blue to deep ocean blue and for the obvious, the Aquamarine is associated with the oceans of the world. Appropriately named Aquamarine, it is derived from the Latin words "aqua” meaning water, and "mare” meaning sea. According to legend, Aquamarine stones were the prized possession of mermaids; which lead to sailor’s beliefs of ancient times that Aquamarine brought good luck and held the powers to protect them from the dangers of the seas. It was common for sailors to wear Aquamarine while at sea. Other ancient traditions advocate gifting aquamarine to newly weds, as insurance of a happy marriage, while others believed Aquamarine gave its owner joy and wealth.

Recognized as the gemstone of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship it is worn well at any occasion.

Aquamarine is always in style; jewelers are continually designing pieces that showcase Aquamarine. Jewelers like the stone because of its breathtaking brilliance and hardness. The beauty of Aquamarine never competes with the setting and always complements the wearer.  Aquamarine is related to Emerald, both belonging to the gemstone family of Beryls. Interestingly, the color of Aquamarine is typically more evenly distributed throughout the stone than is the color seen in Emeralds. Aquamarine is significantly more available than its famous green brother; hence there is an abundance of quality Aquamarine, free of inclusions. When looking for Aquamarine the intensity of color is an important factor, it raises the beauty of the stone, as well as, the value.

Brazil is home to some of today’s largest deposits of Aquamarine, the earlier mined Aquamarine came from the Urals in Russia, however those mines have been aggressively excavated. Other sources include Australia, Myanmar, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and here in the United States. The host rock is pegmatite and coarse-grained granite.

Rich dark blues are typically the color of choice. Because iron is the cause of color, Aquamarines of lighter blue shades are sometimes heat treated to enhance the blue. However, high heat can also lead to discoloration, a concern for a jeweler’s touch. Neutron and gamma irradiation are occasionally used in color enhancement, but beware, these changes usually do not last. 

The term Santa Maria is used in association with Aquamarine, the name is not a recognized variety, it is a trade name for a large mine in Ceara Brazil. The largest aquamarine of gemstone quality was found in 1910 in Marambaya, Minas Gerais (Brazil). It weighed 243 lb, was 18 inches long and 15_ inches in diameter, and was cut into many stones with a total weight of over 100,000 carats

The preferred cuts are emerald and brilliant-cut with rectangular or long oval shapes.