AQUAMARINES AS USED IN ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE JEWELRY

Aquamarines are a member of the beryl family, which is the same gemstone family as emeralds. Beryl is a hard mineral but only offers a moderate brilliance and little fire. Aquamarines are a beautiful reflection of estate jewelry.

BIRTHDAYS AND ANNIVERSARIES
Aquamarine is the suggested birthstone for March birthdays.

ORIGIN OF NAME
The name "aquamarine" is derived from Latin words which mean "sea water", in reference to the color of the gemstone.

HISTORY
Prior to the 1900's, the preferred color for aquamarines was a light bluish-green. The first documented use of aquamarine was between 480 and 300 B.C. by the Greeks. Since the seventeenth century, aquamarines have become very popular.

ESTATE JEWELRY AND ANTIQUE JEWELRY USAGE OF AQUAMARINE
Aquamarines have been popular in the following jewerly periods:
Victorian Jewelry Period
Retro Modern Jewelry Period
Contemporary Estate Jewelry

VISIT OUR AQUAMARINE ESTATE JEWELRY COLLECTION
Estate Ring - Large Clear Blue, Oval Aquamarine and Diamond 14kt White Gold
Estate Ring - Large, Light Blue Aquamarine and Diamond 14KT Gold
Estate Ring - Opulent, Big Aquamarine and Red Tourmaline 14kt Ring

EVALUATIONS
The most intense blue color for an aquamarine results in a higher value for the gemstone. Aquamarines have a high transparency and clarity even when magnified. Aquamarines with intense color are becoming very scarce and as a result their price is increasing substantially. Aquamarine is now frequently heat treated to remove the green color tones, this creates a permanent color change.

FORMATION
It is the introduction of iron to beryllium that creates the magnificent blue of the aquamarine. Aquamarines are found as well-formed crystals in pegmatities. Beryls are not sufficiently dense to concentrate in placers and are usually mined from the source or in its weathered equivalent. Rods and ghost lines are often found in aquamarines (90%).

AREAS FOUND
Brazil is the number one producer of aquamarines. Aquamarines are also found in Mozambique, Ukraine, Nigeria, Pakistan, Zambia, and Madagascar.

LEGENDS
Aquamarine amulets were thought to leave sailors fearless and protect them from trouble at sea, especially when the stone was engraved with the Poseidon on a chariot. According to Christian symbolism, the stone signified moderation and passion control.

HARDNESS
With a hardness of 7.5 to 8, on the Moh's Scale, aquamarines are hard enough for daily wear.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR ESTATE JEWELRY AND VINTAGE JEWELY
Estate aquamarine jewelry should not be placed in ultrasonics and steam cleaners should be avoided.

TECHNICAL DATA
Crystal system: hexagonal
Cleavage: Poor to good depending on clarity
Refractive Index 1.57 - 1.60
Double Refracting, uniaxial negative
Specific Gravity: 2.67 - 2.80

MOH's SCALE
The measure of relative hardness, Moh's Scale defines common stones and minerals for the hardness and durability. Hardness is one measure of the strength of the mineral relative to its chemical bonds. It is not the same as brittleness, which is related to the structure of the mineral. Hardness is tested by scratching. Using Moh's Scale, the higher the number, the harder the mineral. talc (used to write on chalkboards) is defined as the softest mineral and is given the value of 1. Diamonds are the hardest and are given the value of 10.

Moh's Scale is as follows:
1. Talc
2. Gypsum
3. Calcite
4. Fluorite
5. Apatite
window glass or a typical knife blade
6. Orthoclase
7. Quartz (citrine and amethyst)
7.5 - 8 Aquamarine
8. Topaz
9. Corundum (rubies and sapphires)
10. Diamond

SPECIFIC GRAVITY
The specific gravity is the ration of the density of an object when compared to water. In the simplest testing, it is simply the weight of a mineral compared to its volume. The volume of the stone is measured by the amount of water in displaces.

Visit our estate aquamarine collection.