Cochise College Student Papers in Geology
Geology Home Page physical geology historical geology planetary gems
Roger Weller, geology instructor
wellerr@cochise.edu
Aquamarine
Nwande Gardiner
Physical Geology
Fall 2005
Aquamarine
Aquamarine is known as one of the birthstones for the month of March, and is
also the anniversary gemstone for the 19th year of marriage. The word
aquamarine derived from the Latin meaning “sea water.” This gemstone can range
in color from near colorless to a sky blue to a sea green of oceans, and
sometimes has a slight greenish tint. It is also closely related to emeralds.
However unlike the emerald, aquamarines are often flawless.
This gemstone is said to
aid seafarers by keeping them safe, and makes a perfect gift for those who are
out to sea frequently because it protects them from seasickness. It was also
believed that the stone would gift its wearer with foresight, knowledge, and
increase intelligence and make them youthful. In line with the tale that
amethyst would protect its owner from drunkenness, aquamarine was believed to
relief anxiety.
Aquamarines range in
hardness from 7 ½ to 8 on Mohs scale. It has an imperfect cleavage and vitreous
luster. It is a very tough stone, but can also be brittle. There are many stones
that are similar in color and have been called aquamarines when they are not.
Some of those stones are: blue topaz, sapphire, blue tourmaline, apatite, and
fluorite. However a simple test can be done to check a gemstone and class it as
an aquamarine.
The majority of the supply of
aquamarine comes from South America and Africa. There are also places in
Afghanistan and Pakistan where aquamarines have been found.
For those of us who are
lucky enough to have been born in March we have a beautiful birthstone that is
now well on its way to becoming as popular as emeralds, diamonds, rubies, and
sapphires because of its beautiful shine and clarity. Below are pictures of the
gemstone aquamarine.
http://www.cldjewelry.com http://www.minersoc.org
http://www.kiwijewels.com
http://www.faceters.com
http://www.altmed.creighton.edu
http://www.gemstone.org
http://www.gems-afghan.com http://www.krekeler.com
Sources
http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/aawellerweb.htm
pictures were found on Google images