Aquamarine (Beryl / Aquamarine)
Aquamarine, which means "seawater" in Latin, is a beryl-family gemstone exhibiting a clear blue to blue-green color reminiscent of the ocean. Due to its high hardness and specific gravity, and the ease of obtaining large, transparent crystals, it has long been cherished for use in ornaments and amulets.
Aquamarine with a beautiful, clear blue color like the sea
Basic Information
| English Name | Aquamarine |
|---|---|
| Japanese Name | Ryokuchuseki (Beryl), Aichuseki, Aigyoku |
| Chemical Formula | Be3Al2Si6O18 |
| Crystal System | Hexagonal |
| Hardness | 7.5–8 |
| Specific Gravity | Approx. 2.7 |
| Transparency | Transparent |
Characteristics & Varieties
- Aquamarine Cat's Eye: Exhibits a chatoyancy effect due to tubular inclusions.
- Star Aquamarine: Shows a faint star effect due to a combination of surface fibers and tubular inclusions within the crystal structure.
- Bicolor Aquamarine: A rare variety where parts of the crystal are colorless, creating a distinct color separation.
- Tube Inclusions: Thin tube-like inclusions develop inside the columnar crystals, parallel to the prism axis.
Origin, Aliases, Treatments, & Similar Stones
Main Origins: Brazil, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan.
Aliases: Maxixe aquamarine (irradiated sapphire-blue beryl).
Treatments: Heat treatment (to remove greenish tones and bring out a clear blue) and dyeing (impregnating pale stones with blue dye).
Similar Stones: Blue Topaz (can be distinguished by its higher specific gravity of 3.5–3.6)
Products featuring Aquamarine
Note: When observed through a Chelsea color filter, aquamarine appears as green lines, while topaz appears pale pink, allowing for differentiation.