Aquamarine Gemstones

Aquamarine Gemstones come in a variety of colors ranging from blue to sea-green and a myriad of shades in between. The name aquamarine refers to “sea water” which is literally what the name means in Latin. It is the birthstone for the third month of the English calendar, March. The stone also is considered to have healing properties and relive stress. In fact, there are quite a number of superstitious beliefs associated with the stone. Back in the middle-ages, people believed that aquamarine possessed a magical property to overcome the symptoms of poison. The Romans even believed that they could convert their enemies into friends by carving the image of a frog on a stone of aquamarine. A Roman bride received an aquamarine stone as a gift after the consummation of the marriage.

Innumerable races of people have been fascinated with Aquamarine Gemstones down the ages. The Egyptians had a great love for these stones. The Hebrews who were held captive by the Egyptians and later migrated to the middle east were also greatly enamored with this gemstone.

Aquamarine Gemstones are closely related to emeralds as they both belong to the Beryl family of stones. The traces of iron in Beryl give aquamarine its various shades of bluish-green. The stone exhibits bi-color properties, when traces of minerals such as morganite are found. Aquamarine stones actually range in colors from a pure deep blue to bluish-green to sea-green. These colors are extremely pleasing to the eye which makes aquamarine highly valued among gemstones. The stone is also quite hard and durable when compared to an emerald. It has a rating of 8, which makes it versatile for jewelry design.

The clarity and color of aquamarine gemstones are given top priority while purity comes only next. Even if a 30 carat stone is found, if its color is pale, it would normally cost the same as a 1 carat stone which has a good, deep blue color. So the color and clarity of the stone means much more to jewelers and their customers than its purity in terms of carats.

However, when pure aquamarine gemstones are found in other colors such as green, they can be treated with heat to turn them into blue. Stones are heat treated from 600 – 1200o F in order to change their color to a deep blue. This would in turn immensely increase their value in the market as they are both pure and have the much sought after deep blue color as well.

Brazil in South America was initially the principal producer of these stones. But of late, Nigeria, Mozambique and Zambia have also started producing these gemstones. With a worldwide fascination for these stones, we can be sure that more countries would start producing them in the days to come.

Care :
Do no clean your aquamarine gemstone with soap, ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners or acetone. Their substance may cause damage to the stone lively brilliance.

How to Clean :
Clean your aquamarine gemstone by using room temperature running water and a soft toothbrush: brush repeatedly on the aquamarine to remove accumulations of dirt. Use a mild soap like hand soap or Woolite. You will see that the aquamarine begin to sparkle like new and the aquamarine will brighten.