E.S. Design

The aquamarine is a gemstone that resembles the color of water. In fact, if you drop an aquamarine inside a glass of water, you may not be able to see it. The word “aquamarine” is derived from two Latin words namely, “aqua” and “marina.”  “Aqua” means water while “marina” means “of the sea.” Legends of the past have glorified the aquamarine gemstone, asserting that it was a treasure owned by mermaids and that it offered protection to sailors during their deep sea voyages. The truth is that aquamarines belong to a family of rocks called beryls, which are found in Brazil, Ukraine, Africa, Nigeria, Namibia, Australia, Afghanistan, India, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Colombia, China, Pakistan, Russia, Japan, Kenya, Malawi, Madagascar, Mozambique, and the United States of America. The best quality aquamarine gemstones are found in the river beds of Brazil.

When aquamarines are mined, its original color is a mix of yellow, green, and blue. These raw gemstones are heat treated in order to enhance the blue hue that is preferred by today’s buyers. The heat treatment not only removes the yellow and green shades of the aquamarine but also ensures that the blue hue does not fade or change over time.

Aquamarines are very popular gemstones. Extremely large aquamarines are also readily available. The biggest one to date weighs a whopping 2,594 carats! As a rule, the color intensifies as the stone increases in size. Darker-colored aquamarines are more expensive than their subdued counterparts. The price range of aquamarine varies between $200 and $1,000 per carat, depending on the color intensity.

Aquamarine is the month of March’s official birthstone. It is one of the industry’s most favored gemstones because of its cool color shade and its almost-perfect visual clarity. Almost all aquamarine stones are free of any inclusions that are visible to the eye. Aquamarine gemstones make wonderful anniversary gifts for loved ones celebrating their special days with fine gemstone jewelry.