One of the most valuable gems in jewelry is the aquamarine. Like the emerald, belongs to the family of beryl. Its name comes from its deep blue color that resembles the sea water.
The aquamarine symbolizes hope and is the stone for the month of March. It is also the must treat in the nineteenth anniversary of wedding and associate it with the planet Neptune. Sailors use it as an amulet because it is believed that it protects them in the sea. Formerly, it was said that it was a gift of the sirens.
Apart from its beauty, jewelers appreciate it for its strength and hardness, which allows a variety of cuts.
Women also consider it one of the most precious jewels, because it’s blue intense or, occasionally, greenish blue, highlights in shades of skin and eyes, giving luminosity and brightness.
The major mines of aquamarines are in Brazil, but have also been localized deposits in Australia, China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Many aquamarines found in the market have been treated with heat to produce artificially the bluish green color desired. Come from lower-quality stones yellowish. To achieve heated to 400°C or 450°C.
The largest specimen that has been found (with quality to be used in jewelry); it comes from the Mines Gerais that are in the city of Marambaia in Brazil. It was located in 1910, weighed 110 kilos and measured 48.5 cm long and 42 cm in diameter.