Aquamarine

Aquamarine (like emerald) is a coloured variety of Beryl and is typically greenish blue to light blue in colour. The depth of colour is important – many stones can be very ‘wishy washy’. Most aquamarines are heat treated to improve their colour; most are relatively free of inclusions and with a hardness of 7.5-8, they wear very well.

Brazil, India, Shri Lanka and Pakistan are sources for Aquamarines and gem quality crystals can occur in large sizes – a single crystal measuing 19″ was found in Pakistan.

Why do people love Aquamarine? Simple really, this shade of blue is such a wearable colour – very pleasing to the eye. Oh, and aquamarine is also the birthstone for March.