Aquamarine : The Story Of Blues & Hues Of Aqua

Aqua means water & marine means sea, hence Aqua Blue is prominently ruling the Fashion Industry in 2021.

Similarly, it varies with Sea Blue, Sea Green, and in-between shades of Light Bluish-green to Greenish-blue. Therefore, the stones having similar colour shades often simulate Aquamarine in a closer manner and are sold as cheaper options of Aquamarine. Sky Blue Topaz, low colored Tanzanite, Aqua color glass, light colored sapphire, Sky Blue Apatite, Fluorite to name a few.

Holding roots from the Beryl family, it is allochromatic in nature. It has a sea blue to sea green color due to iron elements present as the impurities. Cut stones are subjected to heating, wherein green color imparts a darker shade of blue to the stones. Most Aquamarine sold in the market are all thermally enhanced or heat treated or sometimes they may be irradiated too. Beyond this, white or colorless beryl known as Goshenite in gemological terms is normally sold as white Aquamarine in the market to make the material saleable.

Aquamarine belongs to the Hexagonal crystal system and is found as columnar crystal and many times twinned crystals.

Physicoptics of Aquamarine is as follows:

1. The chemical composition is Beryllium Aluminium Silicate.
2. Hardness is 7.5 on Moh’s Hardness Scale.
3. Specific Gravity is 2.68-2.73.
4. Typical inclusion found is rain-like needle inclusion and sometimes mica also found present.

Aquamarine is preferred more in cut and polished form and regular shapes in demand are Cushions, Emerald cut, Squares, Trillion, Pear drop, and Radiant cut. Opaque stones are normally sold as beads – either carved or plain along with a combination of other beryl varieties.

Author – Mr. Rajesh Patel

The author is a gemologist, associated as a mentor and faculty for Gemology at IIG, Mumbai. He also deals in the supply of compliant gemstones to renowned jewellery export houses.