Aquamarine (gem)

Aquamarine
Aquamarine on muscovite
General
CategorySilicate minerals, beryl variety
Formula
(repeating unit)		Be3Al2Si6O18
Identification
ColorPale blue to light green
FractureConchoidal
Mohs scale hardness7.5–8
StreakWhite[1]
DiaphaneityTransparent to translucent
Specific gravity2.65–2.85
Refractive index1.57-1.59

Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green variety of the beryl family,[2] with its name relating to water and sea.[3] The color of aquamarine can be changed by heat, with a goal to enhance its physical appearance (though this practice is frowned upon by collectors and jewelers).[4] It is the birth stone of March.[5]

Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone,[6] rendering it more accessible for purchase, compared to other gems in the beryl family.[7] Overall, its value is determined by weight, color,[5] cut, and clarity.[8]

It is transparent to translucent and possesses a hexagonal crystal system.[9] Aquamarine mainly forms in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins,[10] and it is a very lengthy process that can take millions of years to form.[9]

Aquamarine occurs in many countries over the world, and is most commonly used for jewelry, decoration and its properties.[11]

Aquamarine is mainly extracted through open-pit mining, however underground mining is also a possibility to access aquamarine reserves.[12]

Aquamarine is a durable gemstone, but it highly recommended to conserve it on its own to prevent damage/scratches.[9]

Famous aquamarines include the Dom Pedro, the Roosevelt Aquamarine, the Hirsch Aquamarine, Queen Elizabeth's Tiara, Meghan Markle's ring, and the Schlumberger bow.[13]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference Schumann 2006 110 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Manutchehr-Danai, Mohsen (2013-03-09). Dictionary of Gems and Gemology. Springer Science+Business Media. p. 24. ISBN 978-3-662-04288-5.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference :3 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Wenk, Hans-Rudolf; Bulakh, Andrei (April 2004). Minerals: Their Constitution and Origin. Cambridge University Press. p. 542. ISBN 978-0-521-52958-7.
  5. ^ a b "Aquamarine: the blue gemstone and March birthstone". geology.com. Retrieved 2021-08-18.
  6. ^ Oldershaw, Cally (2003). Firefly Guide to Gems. Firefly Books. p. 124. ISBN 978-1-55297-814-6.
  7. ^ Oldershaw, Cally (2003). Firefly Guide to Gems. Firefly Books. ISBN 978-1-55297-814-6.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference :6 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference :7 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference :8 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ Cite error: The named reference :11 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  12. ^ Cite error: The named reference :10 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  13. ^ "Field Museum's "Crane Pacific Expedition" | Classic Chicago Magazine". classicchicagomagazine.com. Retrieved 2024-03-19.