Imagine the color where the sky meets the sea on a beautiful sunny day and you will have found the most precious color of the aquamarine stone. Just like the name suggests, aquamarine stones are associated with the sea. This semi-precious gem has been donned by the Egyptian pharaohs in pursuit of everlasting youthfulness. Even Roman sailors carried them in their pockets as a talisman to ensure smooth sailing.
A word of warning for those shopping for this gem, the sublime blue hues of the aquamarine will have you mesmerized so be prepared to splurge. The delicate shades are certain to complement any skin tone. Take a little inspiration from nature and you’ll be dazzling for days.
| Aquamarine Color | Shades of greenish-blue |
| Birthstone Month | March |
| Hardness Scale | 7.5 to 8 on Mohs Scale |
| Mineral Class | Beryl |
| Symbolism | Calm and Tranquility |
What is Aquamarine?
The name aquamarine is derived from the Latin words “aqua” meaning water and “marina” meaning the sea. The different hues of the sea can be seen in each variant of the aquamarine stone. It’s not difficult to see why many call it “the sea in a stone”.
Aquamarine is a semi-precious stone that rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. This scale ranks gems based on their hardness and scratch resistance. This makes aquamarine durable enough to be worn on jewelry (we’d steer clear of all manual labor while wearing this gem).
What does the Aquamarine stone look like?
As with diamonds, gemstones derive their value from the 4 C’s: carat, color, clarity, and cut. This is the global standard for evaluating and grading the value of a gemstone. Although picking out the perfect gem is a choice made from the heart, keep these factors in mind to ensure you get the best value from your choice.
Carat
The size of the gemstone is measured by weight in carats. You guessed it, the more blinging your crystal, the more you will need to fork out for it. The more intense colored gems are usually over 5 carats.
Color
The colors of aquamarines range from pale blue to turquoise or deep blue, all impacting the value of the gem. The color of a gem is determined by 4 components:
- Hue: the name of the color, in this case, blue
- Saturation: the brightness of the gem’s color which could be dull, strong, or vivid
- Tone: the depth of the color ranging from light to medium or dark
- Coverage: the consistency of the color throughout the gemstone
These 4 factors create the overall color of the aquamarine and determine its value. The deeper blue hues are considered to be the most valuable type of aquamarine. Luckily though, the more popular turquoise aquamarine is more reasonably priced.
The color of the aquamarine is dependent on the size of the stone. Larger stones often have a more intense hue while the smaller gems are more pastel in color. Some aquamarines are heat-treated to bring out their striking blue color. Not to worry though as this won’t affect the stone’s structure and you won’t need to take special care of these gems.
Clarity
The degree of transparency of the gem determines its clarity. The fewer inclusions the better the gem is classed. This increases the value of the stone. Usually, aquamarines are free of inclusions visible to the naked eye.
Cut
A properly cut stone will allow the other 3 C’s to shine brightly. Common cuts for aquamarine are the emerald cut followed by the oval and pear-shaped cuts. Aquamarine is a versatile stone, many jewelry designers can create different cuts and shapes letting their imagination run wild.
History and mythology of the Aquamarine stone
Remnants of aquamarine jewels dating as far back as 500 BC have been discovered by archeologists. Longstanding beliefs held by Roman and Greek sailors were that the Aquamarine gem could protect them from rough seas. Fishermen often kept aquamarine amulets with them to ensure a good catch.
Aquamarine was also linked to the apostle St. Thomas who was a well-known seafarer. As the treasure of mermaids, the aquamarine has been revered for its mythical properties of promised eternal youth and ability to heal the sick. This adds to the enigma of the sea stone.
Aquamarine’s meaning and symbolism
Aquamarine is associated with trust and eternal love which is no wonder that it is also the gem for a happy marriage. It also ensures calm communication and allows the wearer to clearly express their inner feelings.
Everything the aquamarine symbolizes is drawn from the sea. It is related to emotional and spiritual development.
Where does Aquamarine come from
Aquamarines are mined in many different locations around the world, the most famous being Brazil. The deep blue “Santa Maria” variety of aquamarine is mined in Mina Gerais, Brazil.
Locations in Africa mining these crystals include Mozambique, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Malawi, and Nigeria. In the east, areas that mine aquamarine are Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China, and Russia.
The Aquamarine as a birthstone
If you’re into the zodiac then you will be familiar with birthstones representing each star sign. Aquamarine is the birthstone for Pisces. It is also considered the birthstone for March and linked to the planet Neptune.
You’ve probably noticed that there’s more than one zodiac sign for each month. To answer your question before you ask it, yes Aries, you can rock aquamarine too.
For those that follow wedding anniversary gift guides, aquamarine is the gem for the 19th-anniversary celebration. What a special way to honor a wedding anniversary with a stone meant to bring even more good fortune to married couples.
The Aquamarine gemstone family
Aquamarine is a gemstone of the beryl gemstone family and has a hexagonal crystal structure. The beryl family of gems are naturally occurring minerals. Some varieties of beryl include the lustrous green emerald, pretty pink morganite, and golden-yellow heliodor. The trace amounts of iron deposits in the beryl structure give the aquamarine its scintillating blue color.
Aquamarine jewelry
The radiant blue-green color of the aquamarine pairs gorgeously with diamonds. Although it is popularly combined with white gold and silver, many striking designs have seen the aquamarine working equally well set in rose and yellow gold.
If you’re in search of some famous designs to inspire your purchase simply look up Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring. She had the piece commissioned herself and would often wear the emerald cut ring together with a diamond bracelet. This particular ring was flanked by diamonds and set in yellow gold.
The brilliant blue hues of aquamarine earrings and necklaces are known to draw attention to blue-eyed beauties. However, the different tones of the aquamarine make it versatile enough to be worn by anyone.
Frequently asked questions about the Aquamarine stone
Yes, aquamarine stones are valuable. The value of these semi-precious stones increases with the purer more intense colored varieties. The most valuable color is a dark blue to a slightly greenish blue gem which is known to fetch upwards of $1,000 per carat due to its rarity. Read our aquamarine guide to learn more about the stone.
Many people believe that aquamarine is a talisman of good luck and offers the wearer protection. The stone is said to have powerful properties for attracting prosperity and abundance. If it worked for the Romans, Egyptians, and Greeks, we’ll take our chances.
Aquamarine is the official birthstone for March so those born in this month often wear the stone to bring prosperity to their lives. The stone is known for holding properties of the sea and all those drawn to these qualities will benefit from wearing the gem, not just March babies. See our detailed birthstone by months guide to learn more.
The intense dark blue gem with green hues are naturally rare finds. These gemstones show fewer inclusions (flaws) which makes them the more expensive variety of aquamarines. For a more affordable option, look for the pale green-blue gem.
