The gemstone aquamarine is blue-green to blue and is a
variety of the mineral beryl. This group
of minerals is most famous for the green emerald. Yet despite this association aquamarine is
transparent and full of clarity whereas emerald tends to be hazy and have
inclusions. Also aquamarine gets its
color from iron impurities within colorless beryl crystals whereas emerald gets
its color from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium.
Most aquamarine comes from Brazil with smaller deposits
found in Australia, Myanmar or Burma, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar,
Mozambique, Nambia, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe as well as in several US
states.
The more saturated the color of aquamarine is, the more
valuable it is in price. The most popular cut for the gemstone are round, oval,
pear and cushion. Aquamarine can be heat
treated to enhance its color but most times when you see aquamarine it is in
its natural form.
Aquamarine gemstone jewelry can safely be cleaned
with warn soapy water with or without using a tooth brush. After cleaning the gemstone wipe it with a
soft cloth. And be sure when wearing this jewelry to avoid contact with household cleaning chemicals and keep it away from intense heat
to prevent permanent damage to the gemstone.
Always store gemstone jewelry inside a fabric lined box or
wrap it in a soft cloth then store it separately from other gemstones.
References: gemselect.com
and, minerals.net
