All About The Aquamarine Gemstone

Taking its name from Latin aqua marina, aquamarine has been a popular gemstone for millennia. Ancient Romans were fond of aquamarine jewelry, so much so that grooms often gave aquamarine to their brides, believing it enhanced love. Seafaring Greeks and Romans wore it to ensure safe, prosperous journeys, and soldiers carried it in the belief that it would render them invincible.

During the medieval era, merchants would sell aquamarine not only to young lovers, but to people who were interested in mysticism. Large pieces of the gem were formed into crystal balls, which were popular with soothsayers. Dr. John Dee, who was a horoscope expert in the employ of England’s Queen Elizabeth I, used an aquamarine crystal ball to forecast the most auspicious date for her coronation. Aquamarine has never been unpopular – vintage pieces are sometimes available and sell for incredible prices.

Aquamarine is a type of beryl, which is a precious stone that occurs in various hues; emeralds and morganite are some other types of beryl you may be familiar with. Aquamarine is a gorgeous bluish-green color in shades ranging from nearly white to deep blue. The deepest blue aquamarine gemstones are sometimes referred to as maxixe.

Where is Aquamarine Found?

If you’re hoping to sell any kind of aquamarine jewelry, you may be curious about what factors are used in appraising it. Like many other precious gemstones including diamonds, the famous “four C’s” including color, cut, clarity, and carat apply. Most valuable aquamarines are dark blue to slightly greenish blue. The best aquamarines have no visible flaws or inclusions and should appear totally clear to the naked eye. It’s definitely a plus if your aquamarine is a large one, but fine stones in sizes less than half a carat are often quite valuable.

How to Tell the Difference Between Aquamarine and Blue Topaz?

Some ill-informed or dishonest dealers attempt to pass off less expensive blue topaz as aquamarine. All aquamarine has a slight greenish hue that helps to distinguish it from blue topaz. The more “aquamarine” in color your stone is, the more valuable it is likely to be. To gauge color, lay your stone against a white background. You’ll get a better idea of how rich the hue is.

How Do You Tell if an Aquamarine is Synthetic?

Inclusions that are only visible with a jewelers’ loupe can help to identify large aquamarines and distinguish them from lab-created versions, so don’t worry too much if an inclusion is present. Very minor inclusions may or may not detract from this gem's value.