Guide to Buy Aquamarine

Are you thinking of buying aquamarine jewellery? Aquamarine, a stone with a soothing, calm and airy appearance is one of the most popular semi-precious gemstones. The birthstone for the month of March and a cousin to the popular vivid emerald, aquamarine belongs to the mineral family of beryl.

Long associated with ocean and water, the word aquamarine is known to be derived from the old Latin expression of “aqua marina” with aqua translating to water and “marina” to sea.

Reminiscent of the sparkling blue ocean & minimalistic appeal, aquamarines have been a popular choice.

Mythology

Anciently, aquamarines were also considered as a treasure of mermaids and were used by sailors for protection from Satan and good luck.

Ancient Romans believed that Neptune, the god of the sea, got the stone when it fell from the siren’s jewel box and washed it ashore.

Look for an even blue-green color

Color is a very important factor in aquamarines. Aquamarine color is typically light blue with a greenish or turquoise hue. Generally, aquamarines with even color are preferred. That is you shouldn’t see lighter or darker color patches within the gemstone.

Pick a clear gem

Most sold aquamarines have no imperfections or markings (called inclusions) that you can see with the naked eye. Unless you’re specifically buying a piece of jewellery where the main focus is an unpolished, rough aquamarine, then you should look for a clear, translucent gem.

Find a good cut

A cut of a gemstone determines both its shape and how much it sparkles. Professional gem cutters love aquamarines because rough aquamarine can be cut into almost any shape. Oval cut and rectangular emerald cuts are the most popular in jewellery.

Choose an aquamarine engagement ring with a robust setting

Aquamarine looks stunning in rings. However, it ranks 8 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, meaning that it is less durable than diamonds or sapphires. If you choose it as an engagement ring, it will be exposed to daily wear and tear for a lifetime. Therefore, make sure your aquamarine has a robust setting of gold or platinum to protect it from knocks and scratches.

Consider aquamarine as an alternative to diamonds

If you’re on a budget, aquamarine is a good alternative to diamonds. Firstly, these light blue gems offer breathtaking sparkle, like diamonds do. Secondly, they make very affordable jewellery pieces in large gem sizes so you can get an impressive piece of jewellery for your spend. Finally, their pale blue color suits almost any complexion, in the same ways as diamonds do.