Aquamarine gemstones are blue to green varieties of beryl known for their oceanic associations, excellent clarity, and delicate yet stunning coloring at more accessible prices than similar gems. Beryl is naturally colorless, so the greens and blues in aquamarine come from traces of ferrous iron impurities.
The attractive nautical colors in aquamarine gemstones are also enhanced by the stone’s pleochroism — it shifts from blue to greenish-blue or darker blue as you turn it. Certain inclusions can even make aquamarine display a cat’s eye (chatoyancy) or star (asterism) effect.
Aquamarine stones are the traditional March birthstones and benefit the astrological water signs Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.
FAQs
Where do aquamarine stones come from?
The top sources of high-quality aquamarine gemstone material are Brazil and Madagascar. Kenya and Mozambique are also important sources.
What factors affect the value of an aquamarine gemstone?
The Four Cs of gemstone grading — color, cut, clarity, and carat weight — all apply to the price of aquamarine. However, color and clarity have the most influence on aquamarine’s value.
The most valuable aquamarine gemstone colors are pure blues with darker tones. Top value also goes to aquamarines with no visible inclusions to the naked eye (eye-clean), meaning a VS or VVS clarity grade.
What is the best cut for an aquamarine gemstone?
Aquamarine gemstones can be cut into virtually any shape, but the best faceted cuts for bringing out an aquamarine stone’s rich coloring are step-cuts like baguette, Barion, or emerald shapes. Round, pear, and oval cuts are also popular and more affordable.
Are there any treatments or enhancements done to aquamarine stones?
Yes. Since pure blues are more valuable and most aquamarine stones are greenish-blue, they’re often heat treated to make the hue bluer. Heat treatments are stable and permanent; they generally don’t lower aquamarine’s value.
How can I identify a genuine aquamarine stone?
The stone’s color and clarity will give you key clues. Real aquamarine stones should have greenish undertones (unless it’s been treated) and saturation less intense than Swiss blue topaz. Under a microscope, natural aquamarines will also usually have small inclusions characteristic of beryl, like long hollow tubes and tiny crystals of other minerals like hematite or mica.
How does aquamarine compare to other blue gemstones like sapphire or topaz?
Among the three, blue sapphire is usually the most valuable, followed by aquamarine, then blue topaz. On average, blue topaz gems range from $30 to $170 per carat, while aquamarine gemstones range from about $100 to $1,500 per carat and blue sapphires go for $200 to $50,000 per carat.
Blue sapphire and aquamarine are naturally blue much more often than topaz, which almost always gets its blue color from treatments. The blues in aquamarine stones are paler than those typical of blue sapphire, while blue topaz has a wider range of blues like Swiss blue and London blue.
What should I look for in an aquamarine gemstone certificate?
An aquamarine gemstone certificate should be from a reputable third-party organization like IGS or AGS. The certificate will usually list the grading factors — color, cut, clarity, and carat weight — along with whether it’s natural or synthetic and if it’s been treated.
Are there any special care instructions for aquamarine jewelry?
Yes. Aquamarine is sensitive to heat, so keep it away from prolonged exposure to sunlight by storing it in a dark place away from windows. Clean aquamarine stones with lukewarm or cool water, mild soap, and a soft toothbrush. Rinse the stone off and dry it with a soft microfiber cloth.
Where can I buy certified aquamarine gemstones online?
Here at Gem Rock Auctions, you’ll find competitive prices and a huge catalogue of options so you can find the perfect aquamarine gemstone at the best price point for you. Our Verified Sellers go through a rigorous vetting process. Plus, you can audit any aquamarine stone for free through our Gemstone Sheriff program to have a third-party gemologist review the listing’s accuracy.
Once you’ve created your account, peruse the hundreds of aquamarine gemstones available. You can buy right away from Catalogue (“Buy it Now”) items or start the thrilling auction process by bidding on a reserve or no-reserve auction listing starting as just $1.
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