Aquamarine is a mineral with a hardness of 8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness [?]. These Hexagonally structured gems are made of beryllium aluminum silicate, their full chemical compound being Be3Al2(SiO3)6.

Aquamarine is a form Beryl that is similar in color to sea water. So it varies from green to blue just like the oceans. Most if not all Aquamarine has been heat treated to improve or lighten the color.

Currently the most popular and therefore valuable colors of Aquamarine Beryl are the light "sky" blue versions. If Aquamarine receives large amounts of heat treatment it will bleach or become nearly colorless.

Aquamarine is a wonderful stone to make gems from for many reasons. 1.) Its hard at an 8 out 10 on the Mohs scale. This means it will cut and hold its facet edges well, and they will not easily round off or smooth out. 2.) Aquamarine Beryl is readily found in large deposits of several carats at a time, and these are often free from inclusions (internal flaws). Because of its large availability this gem is usually very affordable.

All in all Aquamarine is a great choice for collectors and investors alike, and will most likely continue to be a popular choice among gem fanatics.

This gem can be found in Russia, Brazil, the United States, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India.

Looking for a birthstone? Born in March? Aquamarine is often used as your Birthstone.

The specific gravity [?] for Aquamarine is 2.69, it's refractive index [?] is 1.57-1.58, and it's double refraction [?] is 0.006.

History

Legend says that Beryl can be used to ward of evil spirits, heal eye injuries, and maintain youthfulness.

This gem has been used for thousands of years in jewelry and trade.

Industrial Usages

Large quantities of Beryl are mined and used to create the Beryllium Metal Alloys.

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Terms

Double Refraction or dr is the ability of a mineral to separate a refracted ray of light into 2 rays. If held over an image or text it will display the object 2x its original size.

Mohs Scale of Mineral Hardness is the standard used to categorize a mineral's ability to resist scratching. It gets its name from Friedrich Mohs, the German geologist who first created the scale.

RI or Refractive Index defines light's ability to move through the mineral or in a general sense, any material.

SG or Specific Gravity is the ratio of the weight of any substance to that of pure water at temperature of 3.98°C(39.2°F) and standard atmospheric pressure. This is important to note when actively seeking these minerals in the wild. Minerals with a higher SG will settle below material with a lower sg over time.