Aquamarine

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl gem family. This gemstone can be found in sea green, sky blue, and dark blue. Sky blue and dark blue are the most sought after colors for aquamarine. It is dichroic which means that the intensity of its color varies depending on the angle in which the stone is viewed. The step cut or emerald cut is normally used for this gemstone because it accentuates the blueness of the stone. It also has a better clarity than emeralds, which also belongs to the beryl gem family.

The best aquamarine can be found in Brazil and Mozambique because the stones from these regions have an intense blue color, the material is clear and they are large. Afghanistan also produces one of the best sky blue colored aquamarines.

Specifications

Hardness: 7.5- 8 Mohs

Specific Gravity: 2.69-2.80

Refractive Index: 1.57-1.59

Crystal Form: A hexagonal, prismatic structure with a vitreous luster.