AQUAMARINE, A VARIETY OF BERYL CRYSTAL
Aquamarines are a type of Beryl that sometimes have formed in some
locations where Emeralds - another type of beryl - have grown. However, such commonality of growth for both Emeralds and
Aquamarine does not always hold true, Like all crystals that yield their beauty to the skill of of a master gem cutter, both
kinds of Beryl owe their colors to traces of minerals in the soil where they have grown. Traces of ferrous iron in a Beryl
crystal create the captivating blue of gemstone Aquamarines while traces of chrome create the green of Emerald Beryl.
Miners and rock hounds who find gem-quality Aquamarine crystals usually find them
in pegmatite dikes though sometimes in geodes and granite rocks. Now and then Aquamarine crystals have formed in topaz quartz
rock, together with Topaz and Amethyst crystals.
KNOWN LOCALITIES OF AQUAMARINE MINES
Brazil, primarily Bahia, Rio de Janeiro, and Minas Geras.
Madagascar
Colorado, summit of Mount Antero
Chaffee
County.
Connecticut - an excellent blue aquamarine found in feldspar.
Elba.
Russia
Siberia
Sri Lanka
Urals, in the vicinity of Syerdlovsk
VARIETIES
OF AQUAMARINE
Although Aquamarine crystals have been mined from many locations,
jewelers usually differentiate of a particular Aquamarine gemstones as one of two varieties.
The
first is "Madagascar Aquamarine" which is frequently medium dark blue.
The
second is "Brazilian Aquamarine" which is frequently a bluish green.
Many
Aquamarine gemstones identified as Brazilian are larger than those identified as coming from Madagascar, which have display
fine a blue or even a bluish green color.
