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| Natural Aquamarine Overview: | |
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The color ranges from
very light to medium light blue, frequently with a light touch of
green. The most desired color is the deeper shade of blue. Aquamarine
is very durable and well suited for jewelry. Aquamarine is often heated to enhance the coloration; this treatment is stable and permanent. We obtain the majority of our Aquamarine from Brazil and Africa. The majority of our African Aquamarine comes from the famous Santa Maria area, renowned for the rich hue of the material obtained there. |
| Legend and Lore: | |
| Aquamarine translates in Latin to "sea water" and the name is appropriate to the color of this gemstone. Aquamarine has become symbolic of safety at sea, and according to legend is a treasure of the mermaids. | |
| Physical Properties: | |
Color:
|
Greenish Blue to Blue |
Refractive Index:
|
1.577 - 1.583 (+/- 0.017) |
Pleochroism:
|
Weak to Moderate, Blue and Green Blue |
Chemistry:
|
Beryllium Aluminum Silicate |
Hardness:
|
7.5 |
Density:
|
2.72 (+0.18, -0.05) |
Crystal Group:
|
Hexagonal |
Occurrence:
|
Africa, Asia, India, South America, United States |
