Description

AI Overview

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Aquamarine is a blue-green to light-blue gemstone that's part of the beryl mineral family. It's the traditional birthstone for March.

Description

• Color: Light blue, greenish blue, or yellowish blue

• Crystal: Transparent to translucent, hexagonal crystal system

• Hardness: 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale

• Inclusions: Mica, hematite, liquid-filled tubes and hoses

• Formation: Forms in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins

Uses

• Aquamarine is cut into many shapes, including emerald cut, round, and oval brilliant

• It's used in jewelry, decoration, and for its healing properties

Name

• The name aquamarine comes from the Latin words aqua (water) and marina (sea)

• It was said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea

Value

• The value of aquamarine is determined by its weight, color, cut, and clarity

• Darker blue stones are more valuable

• Large, well-formed crystals are especially valuable to collectors

Famous aquamarines

• The Dom Pedro, the Roosevelt Aquamarine, the Hirsch Aquamarine, and Queen Elizabeth's Tiara