Happy Birthday, Aqua!
Did you know that although aquamarine has been popular for many years, there was a sudden spike in interest and popularity after Meghan Markle wore an aquamarine cocktail ring after her wedding to Prince Harry in May 2018.
This gorgeous piece once belonged to his mother, Princess Diana, along with a matching bracelet.
Let's take a closer look at this wonderful gem.
Let's begin with some fun facts:
Aquamarine is a part of the beryl family (along with Emerald and Morganite)
Its colour ranges from blue to greenish blue
Aquamarine is derived from two Latin words: aqua meaning "water" and marina meaning "of the sea"
Most of the aquamarine on the market is light blue
Deeper blue colours (as pictured above) are typically more expensive
Almost all aquamarine on the market is eye-clean (no noticeable inclusions)
Aquamarine can be confused with a much less expensive stone, Blue Topaz
Aquamarine crystal structure is elongated, which is why it is typically cut into elongated shapes, such as emerald cuts, ovals and elongated cushions
To find out more about why certain gemstones are only cut into certain shapes, visit my previous post: Let's get in shape!
Source
Brazil has been the world's most important source of aquamarine since 1811, with most mines located in the northeast Minas Gerais. This is where Princess Diana's aquamarine was sourced, along with other aquas in Queen Elizabeth II's collection.
Other, newer sources include Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique and Pakistan.
Availability
Aquamarine forms in large crystals, with some specimens reportedly weighing up to 100 lbs. Consequently, it is available in a large variety of shapes and sizes making it perfect for large statement pieces such as cocktail rings as well as smaller jewellery items.
But don’t go too small, the smaller the stone, the lighter the colour looks.
Larger stones show more saturated colour. This is also the case for another stone from the beryl family - Morganite
Looking for a gorgeous Morganite Engagement Ring? Visit my previous posts:
The stunning Veronica Ring featuring a pear shape Morganite and diamond halo in rose gold can be purchased from our Ready-to-Wear Collection
Aquamarine Treatments
Aquamarine is heat treated in order to remove the unwanted yellow and brown colour and leave a purer blue hue. Due to the lack of inclusions in aqua, heat treatment is undetectable and the colour is permanent.
In order for the gem to receive an Aquamarine name, it must have a blue hue.
Untreated beryl which does not show a strong enough blue colour is sometimes sold as green beryl (below).
March Birthstone
Aquamarine is also known for the following traits:
helps spiritual awareness
calms, soothes, reduces stress and helps letting go
offers a sense of peace, tranquility and regeneration
linked to the making of new friends
Do you know what powers and qualities your birthstone holds?
To find out, visit my previous post titled What is my Birthstone?
Durability
In terms of hardness, aquamarine scores a 7.5 - 8 out of 10 on Moh's scale.
With sapphires and rubies at 9 and diamonds at 10, these can scratch your aqua if not stored properly or if they rub against each other.
Pro Tip: don't shy away from adding this unique gemstone to your collection, just be careful while wearing it
Looking for tips on how to keep you jewellery Clean and Damage-Free?
Get my FREE jewellery cleaning guide here
Is Aquamarine on your wishlist?
I would be delighted to hear about it!
To discuss your options, schedule a complementary, 30 minute connection call with me here
Looking for inspiration? Visit our Instagram page for more stunning jewellery ideas
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