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Aquamarine Jewelry
The March birthstone and 19th anniversary stone, aquamarine or aqua is a highly popular due to the calming effect of its sea blue color and typical high clarity. A hard and durable gem, aquamarine is well suited for all types of jewelry. Aquamarine ranges in color from blue green to blue, the color caused by iron. Most are heat treated at 400-500 degrees Celsius, to remove the yellow component of their color, which when mixed with blue causes the greenish secondary color. Although the green secondary color is often undesirable, sometimes the green color makes a highly desirable sea foam color which is best left unheated. Madagascar material often requires no treatment as it comes from the ground with extraordinary blue color. Treatment is stable and irreversible. The most famous source of aquamarine was found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mines of Brazil. This Santa Maria color, resembling the intensity of irradiated London blue topaz, is also found in Mozambique and we have had great success in finding some of the Worlds finest Santa Maria aqua in the Ankazobe region of Madagascar. Other sources include Nigeria and Zambia. The Aquamarine can crystallize in very large sizes. A single crystal of high clarity weighing over 240 pounds was found in Brazil in the early 1900’s. Cut stones of 50 carats and larger are often available. Facetted stones of a 1000 carats are known. Aquamarine is known as the stone of courage, and provides intellectual and emotional stability. Blue, peoples most popular color has a calming effect aiding in meditation.  Aquamarine |
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