Aquamarine, Santa Maria

Aquamarine’s name comes from the Latin for seawater and it was said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. March’s birthstone was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages. The best gems combine high clarity with limpid transparency and blue to slightly greenish blue hues. Like many beryls, aquamarine forms large crystals suitable for sizable fashioned gems and carvings.

The Blue variety of the beryl group is distinguished bij its high degree of hardness (7.5 to 8) and covers all shades of blue, from glacier to deep sea blue. The most precious coloring of the aquamarine gemstone is the famous, which gets its name through the mine of the same name in Ceara, Brazil.

 

Natural AAAA

These are the top 10% of natural Aquamarines available. They have a signature sea blue color and are eye-clean. This quality is typically used in fine jewelry by the 5th Avenue or Rodeo Drive Jewelers.

 

Natural AAA

These are the top 20%-30% of natural Aquamarines available. They have a medium sea blue color and are moderately to slightly included. This quality is typically used in fine jewelry by leading independent/family jewelers.

 

Natural AA

These are the top 50%-75% of natural Aquamarines available. They have an almost transparent blue color and are moderately included. This quality is typically used in fine jewelry by mall jewelers or small family jewelry shops.