Aquamarine Gemstone: A Complete Guide

Aquamarine gemstone is the enchanting blue-green gemstone that all beryl family members are envious of due to its gloriously clear and calming appearance. From the Latin words for water of the sea, aquamarine is as calm and pure lending to its longstanding association with the tranquility and serenity of the deep blue sea. Moreover its various colors ranging from light blue to dark-blue ocean brings elegance.

A Complete Guide on Aquamarine Gemstone Types, Include Origins and Mines of that having them

Types of Aquamarine gemstone (A-Z)

Description of Aquamarine gemstone types

Santa Maria Aquamarine

Origin: First found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, this variety is prized for its intense, saturated deep blue hue. Although the original mine is nearly exhausted, Madagascar has become a new source of this rare gem​(International Gem Society).

Value: The deep color and rarity of Santa Maria aquamarine make it one of the most expensive varieties​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Maxixe Aquamarine

Origin: Discovered in Brazil in 1917, Maxixe aquamarine is known for its dark blue color, but it fades to brown upon exposure to light​(Geology).

Mines: Found primarily in Brazil and Madagascar, Maxixe is prized by collectors, but its color instability lowers its value​(International Gem Society)​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Double Blue Aquamarine

Origin: This variety was recently discovered in Madagascar and is noted for its deep blue color, comparable to Santa Maria​Gem Rock Auctions).

Value: Its vibrant blue makes it highly valuable, especially in the gemstone market where color saturation is key​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Brazilian Aquamarine

Origin: Brazil remains the largest producer of aquamarine, with mines in the states of Bahia and Minas Gerais. Brazilian aquamarine tends to have a greenish-blue hue​(International Gem Society)​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Value: More common than Santa Maria, this type is still highly sought after for its clarity and size availability​(International Gem Society).

African Aquamarine

Origin: Aquamarine from Nigeria and Mozambique is celebrated for its vivid blue color, often found in large, clean crystals​(International Gem Society)​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Value: African aquamarine has become a major player in the global market, and its rich blue shade adds to its popularity​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Vietnamese Aquamarine

Origin: Discovered in the late 20th century, aquamarine from Vietnam tends to be sky blue and highly transparent​(International Gem Society).

Value: Known for its clarity, Vietnamese aquamarine is growing in popularity, especially for high-end jewelry​(International Gem Society).

History and Origins of Aquamarine gemstone

Since ancient times, aquamarine has a rich history. Sesame is one of the first recorded plants used for crops — mentioned in India over 480-300 BC. Aquamarine was exceptionally well-loved by the Ancient Greeks and Romans, who carved it into statuettes and made into jewelry. The ancient seafarers believed it appeased the seas, and kept sailors safe at sea.​(Gem Rock Auctions).

By the 1600s, aquamarine was established as a beautiful gem and Flemish mineralogist Anselmus de Boodt named it this in his book Gemmarum ET Lapidum Historia​

 (Gem Rock Auctions).

 Associations of the sea, as well as its tranquility contributed to this meaning and those same values have actually carried over into current secular symbolism.

Aquamarine gemstone Mines

1. Brazil: Known for the most abundant and high-quality aquamarine, Brazilian mines like those in Minas Gerais have produced large, clean crystals for over 300 years. The Santa Maria mine, which gave birth to the “Santa Maria” variety, is legendary​(International Gem Society)​(Gem Rock Auctions).

• Madagascar: Madagascar has emerged as a major producer of high-quality aquamarine, especially of the “Double Blue” and “Santa Maria” varieties. These gems are known for their rich blue hues​(Gem Rock Auctions).

• Nigeria and Mozambique: Africa has become an important source of aquamarine, with Nigerian and Mozambican mines yielding vivid blue stones that rival Brazilian aquamarine in color and quality​(International Gem Society).

• Russia: Russian aquamarine, found in the Ural Mountains, has a lighter blue hue and was historically used in various royal collections​(Gem Rock Auctions).

Value and Market

Aquamarine is valued based on several factors: color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. The most prized stones have deep, saturated blue hues, such as the Santa Maria variety. Size also plays a role in determining the price, with larger stones exhibiting richer colors commanding higher prices​(Gem Rock Auctions)

 Clarity is another key factor—most aquamarine gems are “eye-clean,” meaning they lack visible inclusions​(Geology).

Heat treatment is commonly used to enhance aquamarine’s blue color by removing any yellowish tints, making the gem more desirable and valuable​(Geology)​(Gem Rock Auctions).

FAQs about Aquamarine gemstone

1. What is the most valuable type of aquamarine? The most valuable variety is the Santa Maria aquamarine, prized for its intense deep blue color​(International Gem Society).

• Can aquamarine be worn daily? Yes, aquamarine is durable, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. However, care should be taken to avoid chipping​(Geology).

• Is aquamarine a birthstone? Yes, aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for March, symbolizing calmness and protection​(Gem Rock Auctions).

• Does aquamarine change color? Natural aquamarine may have a greenish tint, but this can be removed through heat treatment to achieve a purer blue. Maxixe aquamarine, however, fades in color when exposed to light​(Geology).

• Where is the largest source of aquamarine? Brazil is the largest producer of aquamarine, followed by Madagascar and African countries like Nigeria​(International Gem Society)​(Gem Rock Auctions).