Natural Aquamarine: Complete Guide for Trade, Jewelry, and Collections

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about natural aquamarine, for trade partners, jewelers, and collectors alike.

Overview

Natural aquamarine, a member of the beryl family, is cherished for its enchanting blue color, which can range from pale blue to deep sea blue. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is durable and suitable for various types of jewelry, including rings, necklaces, and earrings. Its clarity and brilliance make it a popular choice for both everyday wear and special occasions. As a symbol of tranquility and clarity, aquamarine holds a special place in the gemstone market, appealing to both collectors and jewelry enthusiasts alike. Understanding its characteristics, sources, and market dynamics is crucial for anyone involved in its trade or collection.

Physical Properties and Specifications

  • Chemical Composition: Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆

  • Hardness: 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs scale

  • Crystal System: Hexagonal

  • Refractive Index: 1.577 - 1.583

  • Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.74

  • Pleochroism: Weak, typically shows slight variations in color

  • Fluorescence: Generally inert, but can show weak fluorescence under UV light

  • Cleavage/Fracture: Perfect cleavage in one direction, conchoidal fracture

Color and Quality Classifications

Available Color Ranges

  • Primary hues: Blue, greenish-blue

  • Secondary modifications: Light blue, teal

  • Tone and saturation ranges: Light to dark tones with vivid saturation

  • Premium colors: Deep blue with high saturation

  • Commercial grades: Light blue to medium blue shades

Clarity Characteristics

  • Typical inclusion types: Bubbles, liquid inclusions, and silk

  • Clarity grading standards: Eye-clean to included

  • Source-specific features: Unique inclusions that may indicate origin

  • Eye-clean criteria: No visible inclusions to the naked eye

Source Locations and Material

Historic sources

  • Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Zambia

Current production

  • Significant production is currently from Brazil and Nigeria.

Source-specific characteristics

  • Each location imparts distinct characteristics in color and clarity.

Production trends

  • Rising demand for aquamarine has led to increasing prices, especially for high-quality specimens.