Aquamarine (gem)

Name and Etymology

• The name 'aquamarine' comes from the Latin word 'aqua' meaning water, and 'marine' meaning of the sea.
• The word 'aquamarine' was first used in the year 1677.
• Aquamarine has been used as a modifier for other minerals like aquamarine tourmaline, aquamarine emerald, aquamarine chrysolite, aquamarine sapphire, or aquamarine topaz.

Value

• The value of aquamarine is determined by its weight, colour, cut, and clarity.
• Aquamarine is comparatively less expensive than other gemstones within the beryl group, such as emerald or bixbite.
• Naturally occurring blue hued aquamarine specimens are more expensive than those that have undergone heat treatment.
• Cut aquamarines that are over 25 carats will have a lower price per carat than smaller ones of the same quality.

In Culture

• Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March.
• It has historically been used as a symbol for youth and happiness due to its color.
• Ancient Romans believed that aquamarine could protect people who are traveling across the sea and used it to prevent illnesses.
• The Chinese used it to make seals, figurines, and engravings.
• Aquamarine became a state gem for Colorado in 1971.

Occurrence

• Aquamarine can be found in countries like Afghanistan, China, Kenya, Pakistan, Russia, Mozambique, the United States, Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Malawi, India, Zimbabwe, Australia, Myanmar, and Namibia.
• The state of Minas Gerais is a major source for aquamarine.
• Aquamarine can mostly be found in granite pegmatites.
• It can also be found in veins of metamorphic rocks that became mineralized by hydrothermal activity.

Notable Examples

• Dom Pedro aquamarine: Mined in 1980 in Brazil, weighs 10,363 carats, located at the National Museum of Natural History, Washington.
• The Roosevelt Aquamarine: Given to Eleanor Roosevelt in 1936, weighs 6,500 carats, located at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
• The Hirsch Aquamarine: Once owned by Louis XV, weighs 109.92 carats.

Aquamarine (gem) Data Sources