AQUAMARINE, the blue variety of beryl

VARIETY INFORMATION:

  • VARIETY OF: Beryl , Be3 Al2 Si6 O18 .
  • USES: Gemstone.
  • BIRTHSTONE FOR: March
  • COLOR: various shades of blue to blue-green.
  • INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.57 - 1.60
  • BIREFRINGENCE: 0.004 - 0.008
  • HARDNESS: 7.5 - 8
  • CLEAVAGE: one direction, poor.
  • CRYSTAL SYSTEM: hexagonal
  • Pleochroic: weak
  • For natural aquamarine mineral specimens see our For Sale or Sold lists
    For Aquamarine jewelry, see -->JewelsForMe.com - Easy birthstone browsing, plus you can design your own jewelry!
 

Aquamarine is the blue, or perhaps more correctly, blue-green or aqua variety of the mineral beryl. Other gemstone color varieties that belong to beryl include emerald, morganite, and heliodor. Other colors of beryl are simply referred to by their color, such as red beryl.

Aquamarine is colored by trace amounts of iron that find their way into the crystal structure. Most gem aquamarines have been heat treated to produce the popular blue-green colors from less desirable yellow or pale stones. The leading producer of aquamarines is the country of Brazil, which has many mines. Pakistan, as well as many U.S. localities, produce wonderful specimens as well.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March.


 

 

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