Aquamarine, March Birthstone

Aquamarine is a blue to green-blue variety of precious beryl. The beryl group of minerals is most famous for chromium-rich, green emerald, which happens to be one of the ‘Precious Four’ gems of the world (diamond, sapphire and ruby are the remaining three). Aquamarine is the official birthstone for those born in March.  Aquamarine is exceptionally hard and has an outstanding glass-like luster. It is most famous for its breathtaking sea-blue colors which can range from light blue to dark blue. The name ‘Aquamarine’ was derived from an old Latin expression which meant ‘seawater’.

NYC Wholesale Diamonds offers a magnificent collection of Aquamarine and Diamond Rings, Tennis Bracelets, Necklaces, and Earrings. We caution you to always request a certified appraisal when purchasing Aquamarine Jewelry. The more common Blue Topaz can be quite similar in appearance and is not a rare gemstone.

Aquamarine and emerald belong to the same family, but they are surprisingly different. Aquamarine and emerald are both beryllium aluminum silicates. While emerald is colored by trace amounts of chromium (and vanadium), Aquamarine color is the result of iron impurities within colorless beryl crystal. Aquamarine and emerald have essentially the same specific gravity and refractive index, but emerald tends to be hazy and full of inclusions, while Aquamarine has excellent transparency and clarity. Aquamarine, and other types of beryl, are quite durable and hard, ranging from 7.5 to 8 on Mohs scale of mineral hardness. A dark and deeply-saturated blue is the most desirable and valuable Aquamarine color.