The light blue gem, named aquamarine by the ancient Greeks, sparkles like the sea touched by the sun. Its colour range is expansive, with shades of pastel blue and green. The finer variety is a delicate greenish blue that conjures tropical seas. This gemstone can be cut into any shape, including round, oval, and pear shapes. A popular cut for aquamarine is the emerald.
Aquamarine’s Colour Range
The gemstone is transparent to translucent and often contains traces of iron. Its colour is a result of trace elements found in the stone. Its six-sided crystal structure allows it to be differentiated from other stones with similar colour ranges. Regardless of the colour range, aquamarines are valuable gems that have high market value. Its range of colour is extensive, and the hue is unique to each stone.
Although the stone’s name relates to the sea, most aquamarines are blue. Unlike blue topaz, though, aquamarine’s colour range is not uniform. Some stones are dark blue, while others are greenish. The darker the shade, the more valuable the gemstone. However, be sure to check the seller’s disclosure policy. Many buyers want to know about the treatment history before purchasing aquamarine. But how do you determine which stone is the most valuable?
While aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, it is not as common as emerald. It has the same Mohs scale grade as emerald. However, unlike emerald, aquamarine is less prone to inclusions. The blue colour range is typically light blue to bright sea blue, with a hint of green in some. These are considered “typical” aquamarine colours.
The properties of the blue stone, also known as aquamarine, are thought to help the wearer find the answers to their questions more easily and efficiently. These qualities make aquamarine an excellent stone for enhancing communication, as it allows you to see the other side of a problem and approach conflicts with rationality. Among the other benefits of aquamarine, it helps to promote a happy and long-lasting marriage.
Blue
The colour blue has long been revered as a symbol of tranquility and calm. Perhaps no colour exemplifies this idea more perfectly than the brilliant blue of aquamarine. Whether viewed up close or from far away, this stunning shade has the power to relax and rejuvenate anyone who encounters it. With its rich beauty and deep symbolism, aquamarine embodies all that is peaceful and achieving in our world.
The blue colour of aquamarine is due to iron ions and crystal defects in the mineral beryl. Mineralogists call this gemstone goshenite, and it is also found in pegmatites that contain lithium. The colour of aquamarine can vary from pale blue to sea blue, with a greenish simmer on the side.
Green
One of the most common type of aquamarine is green, but this variety of beryl is less common and does not exhibit the same colour saturation as aquamarine. Some stones have green or even brownish undertones. The green variety is not to be confused with emeralds, which are green in colour. Although they share similar trace elements, the green variety of aquamarine is not the same as emerald, and the colour is not always uniform.
Green-Blue
The green-blue colour of aquamarine is a rich, jewel-like hue that exudes a sense of sophistication and elegance. It is particularly striking against other gemstones such as diamonds or sapphires. This particular shade is prized for its highly saturated, intense tone, which pairs perfectly with the shimmering brightness of the gemstone’s crystalline structure.
Green-blue aquamarines are also highly sought-after due to their rarity; over 90% of all known aquamarine deposits contain another colour, such as pale blue or clear. Thus, green-blue aquamarines are truly unique and extremely rare. Whether set in a large piece of jewellery or sparkling from within a modest ring setting, there is no denying that this striking hue has enduring appeal. The next time you see a beautiful green-blue aquamarine, remember that it is coveted for good reason: it simply cannot be replicated in any other gemstone!
Greenish Blue
Among the rarest gemstones, aquamarine is the colour of courage. It is best known for its cool blue colour, but can also be greenish. In the 19th century, sea green aquamarines were highly sought after by world collectors. Today, you can find beautiful greenish blue loose aquamarine stones in many types of jewellery.
At first glance, the unique greenish blue colour of aquamarine may seem like a simple hue. But delve a little deeper, and it quickly becomes clear that this distinctive shade is much more than a simple shade of blue. Comprised of delicate layers of particles interspersed with air pockets, aquamarine’s ethereal appearance can be traced to its special atomic structure and nuanced chemical composition.
Many consumers prefer to buy greenish blue aquamarine stones in their natural state. However, many gems are heat treated before they reach the general market. This process does not change the colour of the gemstone, it simply changes the hue; it does not affect the saturation. However, you can buy unheated stones that are priced higher per carat. There are a few exceptions to this rule. Some stones have been heated, but it won’t affect the quality of the gemstones.
Greenish blue and green-blue may seem like similar colours, but there are subtle differences between these two shades. Greenish blue is more subtle and understated, with cool tones that evoke the tranquility of nature. On the other hand, green-blue is brighter and more vibrant, evoking feelings of energy and liveliness. Because of its bolder character, green-blue is often seen as a more attention-grabbing colour, while greenish blue tends to be used in more subtle or subdued contexts.
Light Blue
The light blue aquamarine stone was first discovered in a mermaid’s treasure chest, resulting in the name aquamarine. Ancient sailors believed that wearing an aquamarine crystal under their pillow would ensure safe passage and return to shore. Similarly, in ancient times, people thought it would protect them from poison, and slept with it under their pillows. While it is still considered a popular choice for jewelry, aquamarine is not widely available outside of Brazil and Russia.
Vibrant Sky Blue
Among the best type of aquamarine gemstones is electric blue, or a vibrant sky blue. An intense, electric blue is rare and expensive, but the price of aquamarine drops as its intensity increases. Nearly colourless aquamarine, on the other hand, shows slight blue at the edges. It looks like white beryl. This type of aquamarine stone is also a fine choice.
The Gem’s Most Valuable Colour
The most expensive stones are those that are the most intense in colour; its most prized form is a transparent, deep blue stone. Aquamarine gemstones are usually greenish blue, but there are a few exceptions. Light greenish blue aquamarines are readily available, but they are not as expensive as the deeper, more intense varieties.
The colour of Aquamarine is a moderately strong medium-dark blue. The bluer the stone is, the more valuable it is. Lighter blue stones are more affordable and durable than their darker counterparts. Deeper blue stones can be heated and have a higher value.
Some collectors may prefer stones with a hint of green in them, but this is unnecessary. Most buyers prefer a purer blue colour than a stone with a little green shimmer. A stone’s tone should be between fifty to sixty percent. Anything below or above that range will be washed out and have too much grey.
What Makes The Gemstone Precious?
Natural loose aquamarine gemstones can be found from many gemstone cutters. This increases the supply of the precious stone and can also be a wonderful last-minute gift idea. When purchasing loose aquamarine, it’s important to choose a jewellery item for the recipient that reflects the person’s personal taste and appreciates colour and clarity.
Aquamarine gemstones are available in a variety of sizes. Large gems have been cut by lapidaries and may weigh several hundred carats. The mineral beryl can be found in pegmatites weighing millions of tons, but these are almost never gem quality. Some of the largest stones have been discovered in pegmatites, with one such blue-green crystal measuring 19 inches long and 16 inches across, weighing almost 243 pounds.
The colour of loose aquamarine varies from light green to blue. In general, it’s the lightest variety that’s easily found. Deeper, darker blue stones are rarer and more expensive. A few faceted stones are even available in white. This means that if you find a ‘white aquamarine’ on a jewellery site, it’s probably not genuine aquamarine. However, you can still find some stones that are colourless beryls, called goshenites.
