THE
BRAZILIAN CONNECTION
AQUAMARINE
INFORMATION, HISTORY and LORE
Chemistry
|
Be3Al2Si6O18+Fe
|
Crystallography
|
Hexagonal
|
Refractive
Index
|
1.567
- 1.590
|
Hardness
|
7.5
- 8.0
|
Specific
Gravity
|
2.66
- 2.80
|
Cleavage
|
Indistinct
|
Heat
Sensitive
|
No
|
Wearability
|
Excellent
|
Special
Care
|
None
|
Enhancements
|
Heat
Treatment is Common
|
The name aquamarine is of
Latin origin meaning sea water in
allusion to its color. As you might
expect from a gem whose name means sea water,
Aquamarine captures the beauty of the sea. This member of the beryl
family, which also includes emerald,
is found in a range of pastel blue
and greenish blue shades, from the palest hint to a deep sky blue. The
elegant icy color looks as fresh with earth tones as with other paste
shades. And it is the perfect accompaniment to grey and navy.
Aquamarine is always a pastel blue but the darker the color, the
more valued it is. Connoisseurs also prefer a pure blue, with no green
or gray in it. If you prefer a greenish tinge, you will find that these
stones are less expensive. Greenish aquamarine is often heated to
remove the yellow component of the color. Because the color is
generally pale, fine aquamarine is expected to
have good clarity. This gem is often cut in ovals and emerald cuts.
More saturated colors are unusual in small sizes: usually it takes some
size for the color to reach a darker shade.
The color of aquamarine is due to trace amounts of iron impurities in
the beryl structure. The color ranges from pale green to pale blue to
blue depending on the relative concentrations of Fe2+ to Fe3+
and on where the iron impurities are located within the beryl crystal
structure. The beryl crystal structure contains channels outlined by
rings of (Si-O)6 units. These rings are stacked upon each
other leaving space within the channels for water or other impurities.
Color influencing iron impurities can be present in these interstitial
channel sites or substituting for aluminum in octahedral sites. When Fe3+
is present substituting for aluminum in the octahedral site a yellow
color is produced. When Fe2+ is present in the interstitial
channel site a pure blue color is evident. When both are present the
typical blue-green color of aquamarine is produced. Heating green-blue
aquamarine to approximately 300 degrees Celcius reduces the Fe3+
to Fe2+, thereby eliminating the yellow and green colors
leaving only the pure blue color that is most popular today.
Irradiation can reverse this process restoring the yellow and green
colors.You
will rarely see an aqua that is darker than a
Swiss blue topaz and when you do the color is usually enhanced by the
way they are cut.
Aquamarine is the
birth stone for March. It is a popular gem that wears well, is readily
available and moderately priced.
One of the most remarkable qualities
of this gem are the sizes it is available in. Gems have been cut that
weigh several hundred carats, way too large to be worn. Due to this,
the price of aquamarine doesn’t vary in sizes above one carat. A 50
carat aquamarine will be worth the same price per carat as a one carat
gem of equal quality. The price is dependent on its clarity, the depth
of color and to a lesser extent the purity of color. Another
interesting feature of this
gem are its inclusions. Beryls, and aquamarine in particular, are known
for having long, hollow tubes. This is a distinctive feature and will
identify a gem as a member of the beryl family. If there are
enough of these hollow
tubes, cat’s eyes or stars can be produced with proper cutting. A cat’s
eye aquamarine is a thing of beauty and is highly prized by collectors.
Prices will be very close to that of a clean, faceted gem with the same
coloring. Star aquamarine is even more rare than a cat’s eye and can
demand a premium price.
For many centuries, oceanic energy was
believed to be contained within the delicate semblance of aquamarines.
When amulets made of this precious gem were worn, sailors believed that
unmatched bravery would be instilled into their souls, giving them the
power to overcome even the most powerful storm. Traditionally, aquamarine
has been used as a charm by sailors for
protection while at sea. Legends say that aquamarine is the treasure
of mermaids, with the
power to keep sailors safe at sea. Its powers are aid to be even
stronger when it is immersed in water. In addition to calming the waves, in legend
aquamarine also has a
soothing influence on relationships, especially on married couples. Its
power to ensure a long and happy marriage makes it a good anniversary
gift. A dream of aquamarine means that you will meet new
friends. It
also is believed to preserve and enhance mutual love and to maintain a
good marriage, and to ensure truth in relationships and business
dealings. Since early times,
aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight,
courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make
one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a
treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that
aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons. A legend says that
sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to keep them safe and prevent
seasickness. Aquamarine is said to release anger and negativity
replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and
mental balance. It is also said to aid in meditation, and to give
courage and to assist in self-expression. Aquamarine is said to
help reduce dependence on drugs, to aid in digestion, as a remedy for
swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth.
The astrological signs of aquamarine are Pisces and Scorpio.
Aquamarines are mined in a
number of exotic places including
Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, but most of the
gemstones available today come from Brazil.
With a hardness of 7.5, aquamarine
is a durable gem, perfect for
everyday wear. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub
behind the stone where dust can collect.
If you have any comments, suggestions or particular needs, please email
The Brazilian
Connection
or call us
at -
1-570-925-2121
/ cell#
1-570-441-1512
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