Dreamy, cool, enchanting aquamarine.

It is surely one of the most beautiful and beloved of all gemstones. Aquamarine can be the color of the sea on a warm tropical day or a cool iceberg in the Antarctic. In Latin, of course, aqua means ‘water’ and marine means ‘of the sea.’

Folklore

Myths surrounding aquamarine and its properties abound. Wearing aquamarine was said to calm the waves, keep sailors safe at sea, and bring the wearer protection against enemies in battle. Centuries-old folklore says it was kept in treasure chests by mermaids, who gave it to their favorite sailors. Pliny The Elder (23 AD – 79 AD) said of the gem, “The lovely Aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of the summer sea, has charms not to be denied.”

In Medieval times, aquamarine was also said to enhance the happiness of marriages. And coincidentally, aquamarine is the also the official gemstone for the 19^th wedding anniversary.

What is Aquamarine? Is it Expensive?

Aquamarine is one of the beryl family of gemstones which includes emerald and morganite, goshenite and yellow beryl. It comes in various shades of blue from pale, translucent blue to sea-foam green to blue-green, teal and darker blue, and all levels in between, depending on the trace amounts of iron, chromium or vanadium it contains. Light blue topaz is often mistaken for aquamarine because it has a similar color, but topaz is generally less expensive.

The price of aquamarine is determined by weight and the strength of its color. Gems with a faint blue color are abundant and inexpensive. Gems with a rich blue color are much pricier because deep, rich color in aquamarine is rare. A small aquamarine with a rich blue color will cost more than a bigger stone with a faint blue color. Because of the importance of aquamarine color in determining its value, it is often heat treated or irradiated to deepen its level of blue. This should always be disclosed to the buyer.

Durability & Size

Aquamarine is not only stunningly beautiful, it is also wearable. Measuring 7.5 – 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale, it can withstand normal wear and tear without chipping or scratching. It works very well as a center stone, as it comes in large carat weights. In fact, 10 carat stones are not uncommon. The largest aquamarine crystal ever found weighed a whopping 244 pounds and measured 19 inches long. It was mined in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil in 1910. Deposits are also mined in Pakistan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar and Vietnam.

The world’s largest cut aquamarine, called the Dom Pedro is on display at the Natural History Museum at the Smithsonian in Washington DC. It was cut from an original weight of 100 pounds into an obelisk.

Cut

Aquamarine has high clarity and is usually cut into rectangular or square shapes. Aquamarines can be cut into almost any shape, but cutters often fashion them as emerald cuts or as round or oval brilliants. They are plentiful, so well-cut stones are available and relatively affordable.

March Birthstone Gift Suggestions:

If you have a loved one celebrating a March birthday, an aquamarine ring, earrings, or pendant will make a beautiful, and very welcome gift. 19^th wedding anniversary coming up for close friends or relatives? You will find Dover has a wonderful selection of aquamarine jewelry at different price points.

We have some suggestions and they are all on promotion this month of March 2022 as our gift to you!

• These H. Stern aquamarine dangle stud earrings are set in 18k white gold and comprise 2 round- cut and two oval-cut genuine aquamarines.
• Next comes a jaw-dropping, vintage GIA 37.4 carat aquamarine and diamond cocktail ring.
• Our next choice is a mirror cut natural aquamarine necklace, designed by Christopher Walling.
• Earrings? These are estate diamond and aquamarine clip-on earrings with approximately 23.75 carats in total.
• This is an outstanding Tiffany antique floral aquamarine diamond pendant in solid platinum with a floral motif.
• Highly collectible antique Art Deco aquamarine, onyx and diamond pendant necklace.

The Perfect March Birthstone Gift

There are so many reasons to love aquamarine, which has been popular since the Art Deco era, and treasured by royalty and ordinary people alike. In fact, even Prince Harry gave Meghan Markel a beautiful Asprey aquamarine and diamond ring from his late mother Diana’s personal collection.

Aquamarine’s spectacular beauty and clarity expresses your love for that special person in your life – so give the most memorable March birthday gift ever!

A bit of Aquamarine History and edification……

A  Member of the Beryl Family..

• Deriving its name from  the Latin word ‘aqua’  meaning water  and ‘mare’ meaning sea it is said that aquamarine’s strengths are developed to their best advantage when placed in water which is bathed in sunlight. According to old traditions, wearing aquamarine  promises a happy marriage and bring the woman wearing  it joy and wealth. The blue of aquamarine is a divine, eternal color, being  the color of the sky. Aquamarine also reflects the blue color of water with its life-giving force. And aquamarine really does seem to have captured the lucid blue of the oceans. In fact  according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors’ lucky stone.
•  Amongst the  most popular and best-known gemstones, aquamarine distinguishes itself by many good qualities. It is almost as popular as the classic gemstones such as ruby, sapphire and emerald. Aquamarine is related to the latter, both belonging to the beryl family. The color of aquamarine, however, is usually more even than that of emerald. and  unlike emerald, aquamarine is almost entirely free of inclusions.  It has a good hardness (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale) and a wonderful shine. That hardness  strengthens the gemstone  and protects it to a large extent from scratches. Iron is the substance which gives aquamarine its color, a color which ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the color of an aquamarine, the greater its value.. Some aquamarines have a light, greenish shimmer;  but  the pure, clear blue continues to epitomize the gemstone because it brings out its immaculate transparency and magnificent shine.
• There is hardly any other gemstone in modern jewelry design which is refined in  such a variety of ways as is the case with aquamarine. Whether fashioned as a clear, transparent gem in the classical step cut, or creatively cut to fit a more modern design of ring , erring or pendant, it is always fascinatingly outstanding.

Jewelers’ Favorite Gemstone..

•  There is hardly any other gemstone in modern jewellery design which is refined in such a variety of ways as aquamarine. Whether it is fashioned as a clear, transparent gem in the classical step cut, or creatively cut in a more modern design, it is always fascinatingly beautiful. Uncut too, or with many inclusions which can be brought into play by the designer in the way in which the stone is cut, it can be refined to produce the most beautiful creations. Designers call it their favorite gemstone. Again and again they take the world by surprise with a new, modern artistic cut, and when they are breaking new ground, aquamarine is a gem that they particularly like to work with. Without a doubt, these creative designer cuts have contributed to the great popularity of this gem. The lucid colour of aquamarine makes it easy to see inclusions. For this reason, aquamarine should always be of the greatest possible transparency. On the other hand, particularly charming effects can sometimes be achieved in the way the gemstone is cut by bringing the inclusions into play.