Aquamarine jewelry and stone properties

Aquamarine in Latin - aqua marina - sea water. Its color can really be compared to the color of the water of the tropical sea. The blue or greenish-blue transparent stone is a type of beryl. Describing the stones, Pliny the Elder noted that the most valuable beryls in their color resemble the pure green of sea waters. He also pointed to the natural similarities between beryl, aquamarine and emerald.

Aquamarines, depending on the deposit, differ in color - from sky blue to dark blue. For example, our Ural and Transbaikal aquamarines mostly have blue shades, and crystals Ilmensky mountains - green and blue. Beautiful stones of bluish green and blue color are common in Brazil. Aquamarines are found in many countries in Africa, Asia and America.

The color of aquamarines is usually uniform, but zonal color is also found. One of the largest aquamarines "Marambaya" weighing 110kg was found in Brazil. Its central zone was colored blue, closer to the edges - light green, and the intermediate zone - yellowish green. Cutting stones of excellent quality were obtained from this unique find. There are more than one such finds in Brazil. A large stone was also discovered in Russia at the end of the 18th century, its weight was 82 kg.

The color, of course, depends on the chemical composition of the stone - Al2 [Be3 (Si6O18)]. The composition of aquamarine is silicon (66.9%); aluminum (19%), beryllium oxides (14.1%), there are impurities of sodium, potassium, lithium, rubidium, cesium, iron, vanadium, chromium. For example, the color of the sea wave is due to the admixture of iron. But it is the presence of iron compounds that causes burnout and even gradual tarnishing of the stone in the sun.

In addition to gas-liquid inclusions in aquamarines, there are also solid inclusions of white color, which are called "chrysanthemums". By the way, they can serve as confirmation that this is aquamarine. The fact is that aquamarines are not easy to distinguish from other stones and even from glass. They look like blue topaz, synthetic spinels, quartz and, as already mentioned, glass.

Blue spinel is characterized by gaseous inclusions that look like small bubbles. They are absent in aquamarine. Blue topaz has a brighter play of shades, but it does not have a silvery sheen similar to “chrysanthemum” - thin needle-like inclusions. Only aquamarine has this effect. Finally, glass. A crystal cannot be absolutely pure; it always contains, at least small, but some inclusions. This is what distinguishes it from the glass imitation.

And one more property inherent in aquamarine is to acquire shades, depending on the environment and lighting. Therefore, as the most transparent, as they say, of pure water, the crystal can acquire shades of those objects near which it is located.

You paid attention - what the sky, the color and the water in the river or the sea. Glass jewelry does not have this ability. It is not that easy to distinguish real aquamarine. Therefore, you need to buy it only in stores that value their reputation. In any case, a professional jeweler can easily distinguish these minerals from each other.

It is possible to determine exactly what we have in front of us is aquamarine, it is possible in laboratory conditions by its physical properties and inclusions.

The blue color of aquamarine can be achieved by heating greenish and yellowish varieties of beryl to 400 - 500 ° C. Since the blue and dark blue shades of aquamarines are more appreciated in the gem market, some of them, after cutting, are calcined to a temperature of 400 - 500 ° C, and the greenish-blue turns blue.This color cannot be distinguished from natural without special research.

Aquamarine is beautiful and valuable stone... But only large stones weighing over 10 carats of blue shades are in demand. Aquamarine is fragile and easy to crush. The presence of various impurities causes fluctuations in physical properties.

Synthetic aquamarines are not manufactured, although it is possible, but economically impractical, since the manufacturing process is lengthy and expensive. "Artificial aquamarines" are actually synthetic spinel or aquamarine corundum.

Crystals are given various shapes - round, pear-shaped, oval, rectangular and others. The cut is most often stepped or wedges with a rectangular or elongated-oval shape. Sometimes it is emerald or diamond.

Crystals with a large number of inclusions are usually processed as cabochon... Depending on the angle of view, the color of aquamarine may vary slightly. This property is called dichroism, and is used when cutting a stone.

Aquamarine is one of the favorite stones of jewelry aficionados. Aquamarine crystals have a high degree of transparency and purity, which is why the stone is highly prized in jewelry art. In jewelry, aquamarine is an ideal stone, especially in combination with diamonds and cubic zirconia. Aquamarine accepts any metal frame. It is beautiful in a necklace, bracelets and pendants. Transparent stones - the personification of sea water and sunlight - are a wonderful decoration for every woman.

The healing and magical properties of aquamarine

In addition to the beauty of the stone, many are interested in its healing properties, because a person in the most critical situations expects help from nature itself. For a long time, people believed that aquamarine helps to alleviate diseases of the stomach, liver, can relieve toothache, and improves vision. And the most interesting thing, which was said in ancient times, is that aquamarine can only be worn by those people who do not lie. The deceiver will be immediately revealed by aquamarine.

Since aquamarine has a name associated with sea water, it will not surprise anyone that in ancient times people attributed to it the ability to ensure safety in travel, especially sea, and not only in travel, but also in sea battles. And of course, aquamarine helped with seasickness.

The stone of sea water gives confidence. Aquamarine, depending on the weather, changes color, and according to old beliefs - and on the mood of its owner. When there is a clear and calm sea surface around, there is a lot of sun - the stone is blue, if the weather is gloomy, the sky is gray - the stone is greenish-blue.

In ancient legends it is said that aquamarine is a powerful magic stone - it does not tolerate lies. If its owner commits a deception, it will certainly be exposed, in this case the stone will darken or lose transparency. If you are engaged in science or philosophy, then this is your stone, it develops the mental sphere and stabilizes the emotional.

The stone promotes understanding of the world around you, suggests the mysterious meaning of life, corrects your thoughts, protecting you from unseemly actions. He teaches to forgive offenders, and not to offend anyone.

No matter what ancient doctors and magicians say, looking at the transparent calm blue of the stone, you will definitely feel emotional comfort, because you can imagine the sea surface in your imagination, and as if a quiet wave rustles with sea stones on the shore. Isn't it peace and tranquility ... Here he is such a wise and just stone - aquamarine.

Many people believed that aquamarine is the stone of Neptune, and therefore amulets from this crystal should be worn by sailors and fishermen - all those who happened to be at sea, because aquamarine should protect them from all kinds of dangers that lie in wait for them at sea.

The crowns of kings were decorated with aquamarines. In the English crown - Indian aquamarine weighing about 200 g.In the Kremlin Armory there is a scepter of the Polish king Stanislav, in which aquamarine is 30 cm long, in the museum of the Petersburg Mining Institute - a crystal of aquamarine 125 cm long.

Aquamarine cost

As for any other gem, the cost is added up by several factors.

The first is color. The most valuable are stones with a blue color.

The second is the purity of the mineral. The fewer cracks and various kinds of inclusions, the more valuable the stone.

However, if you have a perfectly smooth stone in front of you, without any inclusions, then it can be synthetic or artificial aquamarine, in the worst case - glass. Natural inclusions indicate its naturalness.

The third is mass. Expensive stones start at 10 carats.

If all three conditions are at the highest level, then the cost per carat is estimated at hundreds of dollars. Otherwise, you can buy a crystal for several tens of dollars per carat.

Caring for aquamarine jewelry

As already mentioned, aquamarine is a fragile stone, so it must be handled with care. He does not tolerate any blows or scratches. When exposed to direct sunlight, the stone may discolor. In no case is it undesirable for jewelry with aquamarine to come into contact with chemicals, including cosmetics and detergents. Aquamarine is a very moody crystal. It is even better to store it separately from other jewelry. You can wash only using the softest and smoothest fabrics with a mild soapy solution.