MARCH BIRTHSTONES – AQUAMARINE Named after seawater, aquamarine’s fresh watery hue is a cool plunge into a refreshing pool. Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater and it was said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. March’s birthstone was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages. The best gems combine high clarity with limpid transparency and blue to slightly greenish blue hues. Like many beryls, aquamarine forms large crystals suitable for sizable fashioned gems and carvings.
Mineral: beryl;
Chemistry: Be3Al2Si6O18;
Color: greenish blue, light in tone;
Refractive index: 1.577 to 1.583;
Birefringence: 0.005 to 0.009;
Specific gravity: 2.72;
Mohs Hardness: 7.5 to 8.0;
COLOR: Aquamarine’s preferred color is a moderately strong dark blue to slightly greenish blue;
CLARITY: Most cut gems are eye-clean. Large examples are available without visible inclusions;
CUT: Because aquamarine’s color is light, cutting is important and well-cut gems show brilliance;
CARAT WEIGHT: Aquamarine crystals range from tiny to very large—some even up to 100 lbs~
22 March 2019
