The crystal blue of aquamarine has made it one of the most sought-after stones for thousands of years. Although it is less well known than precious stones such as ruby or sapphire, it is often chosen for an engagement ring!
What are the reasons for this?
This is what we will discover through this guide but before that, let's go back over its history.
The history of aquamarine
Aquamarine is a stone known since ancient times. Appreciated by the Egyptians, the Romans and also in the Middle Ages, it was long considered a talisman.
Its color and its reflections close to those of water naturally led it to the hands of sailors who used it as a protective stone against Poseidon, the god of the sea.
Closely linked to the ocean, this stone takes its name from the Latin aqua and marina meaning water and sea. The Greeks even made it the treasure of the mermaids.
Did you know that?
Just after her coronation in 1953, Queen Elizabeth II of England was presented with a set of diamonds and aquamarines by the Brazilian people.
The Queen fell in love with these stones so much that she made a tiara out of them, which is now part of the Crown Jewels collection.
The origins of aquamarine
Aquamarines are found all over the world: from the United States to the African continent and from India to Pakistan.
The most productive and best known mines are undoubtedly those in Brazil.
More precisely, in Santa Maria, which is the Brazilian region where the most beautiful aquamarines are found, with particularly intense colors.
The main characteristics of aquamarine
Aquamarines belong to the beryl family - just like emerald!
What are the main characteristics?
—— Its color
Aquamarine has a naturally light pastel blue colour with occasional green highlights!
It is a so-called dichroic stone, meaning that it changes colour depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
Bright and soft, the colour of aquamarine is particularly appealing to those wholove blue and wear it a lot and is even more recently chosen for engagement rings, even though of course diamond remains unchallenged for this occasion!
—— Its hardness
Rated between 7.5 and 8/10 on the Mohs scale of stone hardness, aquamarine is one of the strongest semi-precious stones on the planet along with spinel, topaz and garnet.
Therefore, this stone is perfectly suited for a jewel, even if worn on a daily basis.
—— Its purity
Aquamarines are naturally very pure stones and often free of inclusions. For large sizes, it is possible to see inclusions with a 10x magnifying glass, even if they are extremely faint.
What is an inclusion?
An inclusion is an external element that has crept into the stone at the time of its formation. It can be solid, liquid, gaseous or even organic like in amber.
For a natural stone, inclusions are quite normal, it is even the undeniable proof that it is not a synthetic stone!
FAQs
—— "Where do your aquamarines come from?"
At Gemmyo, all our aquamarines come from Brazil! The country most famous for hosting the most beautiful aquamarines on the planet.
—— "What is the quality of your aquamarines?"
Our aquamarines are AAA quality, the highest quality available for a colored stone!
Find out more about AAA quality.
—— "What metal should I use with aquamarines?"
Aquamarine's pastel blue hues match perfectly with white metals such as white gold or platinum!
On the other hand, it is more difficult to match aquamarine with yellow gold, as their colors end upmix and give an impression of a "greenish" shine.
Our advice: Rose gold is also particularly recommended with aquamarine, a combination that we often recommend!
—— "How to look after your aquamarine jewelry?"
Aquamarine is an attractive stone for its crystal blue color, however it requires more regular maintenance.
For example, using cream or gel daily leaves a little deposit on the stone that may block light from reflecting perfectly off the crystal. It simply needs to be cleaned!
This is very simple: use a little warm, soapy water and a little, soft-bristled brush to give your stone all of its shine back. For more details, find all of our tips here.
If you do not have the necessary materials, a professional cleaning in our shops is offered throughout your Gemmyo jewelry’s life.
—— "What is the occasion for giving aquamarine jewelry?"
Aquamarine is a stone that can be chosen for an engagement ring. Supposed to guarantee a happy marriage, aquamarine is a symbol of fidelity between two spouses!
This stone is also traditionally given on the 19th wedding anniversary.
Associated with the natives of the month of March, you will certainly make people happy by choosing to offer Aries their special stone
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