AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine derives its name from pale blue, slightly greenish South Seas. Its color most sought after and most expensive, however, the intense blue, rich and deep oceans. Infrequent in nature, this color can be obtained by heating (400 degrees centigrade) or radiation treatments that remove green tones and highlight shades of blue.

The aquamarines found in the market come mainly from Brazil (Minas Georas, Bahia, Espirito Santo). The mountainous regions of Madagascar, however, provide the finest specimens: their natural color is the most popular (and not blue-blue blue-green). Besides these two places of extraction included as main deposits: Burma, Sri Lanka, Zambia, Russia (Urals), Afghanistan and the United States.

Sometimes finding aquamarine whose weight and size are very impressive. The largest, on display at the Museum of Los Angeles, weighs 2594 carats. The pieces that are used in jewelry can reach fifteen carats. Long considered a stone found in abundance and is available cheaply, aquamarine untreated, the intense blue and excellent clarity is now more scarce and expensive.

Crystal system: Hexagonal

Chemical Composition: Silicate of aluminum and beryllium Be3 Al2 (SI6 O18)

Color: Blue, light blue, blue tinged with green or gray.

Hardness: 7.5 - 8.0

Specific Gravity: 2.72 (0.18 -0.05)

Refractive index: 1.577 to 1.583

Dispersion: 0.014

Polychrome: Low to medium (shades of blue, sometimes blue and blue-green)

Birthstone: March.