March Birthstone Facts: Aquamarine
1. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin”aqua marina” which means “sea water”. However, aquamarine used to be known by thename “sea green beryl”.
2. The colour of aquamarine can varyfrom deep teal to pale blue.
The colour in aquamarine is caused by varyingiron levels that cause the differences in colour intensity. The darker hues andmore green toned blue stones are the most valuable.
3. Aquamarine can be heat treated tointensify the colour.
4. The gemstone has long beenthought to have protective properties.
5. The Ancient Romans and othercivilisations believed the stone to have healing properties and used it totreat a range of maladies.
6. The world’s largest cutaquamarine is the Dom Pedro.
This gemstone was faceted as an elongatedobelisk and measures approximately 14 inches long by 4 inches wide. Thisincredible aquamarine gem weighs 10,363 carats. It was mined in Brazil in the1980s and named Dom Pedro after the first two emperors of Brazil.
7. According to myth, the Roman godNeptune was the first to acquire the gemstone.
8. Aquamarine registers between 7and 8 on the Mohs scale.
This rating means that aquamarine is arelatively hard gemstone, making it suitable for daily wear.
9. This gemstone is mined all overthe world.
Aquamarine has been found in countries allover the world, including Brazil, Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Pakistan,Mozambique and the USA. The state of Colorado in the USA produces some of thefinest specimens of aquamarine. Aquamarine was officially recognised as theofficial state gemstone in 1971.
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