The Different Colours Of Aquamarine Gemstones
If you are looking for the quality of a good aquamarine gemstone, then you will want to read this article. Aside from discussing the quality of a good aquamarine gemstone and the things that you need to know before buying one, we will also fill you in on the popular colours of this stone. By the time you have finished reading this article, you will have a better idea of what to look for when shopping for these beautiful aquamarine gemstones.
Before we get started, it is important to understand the meaning of the word “aquamarine”. This word is derived from the Latin words “aqua”, meaning water and “mare” meaning sea. These two words give us the idea that the gemstone is dark blue in colour. The original aquamarine was found in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Australia.
Aquamarines belong to the family of gemstones called Beryl. It is one of the two minerals found in nature that has two C’s, which are carat weight and chromium content. This mineral is a form of boron and when two minerals have a common chemical formula that can be very useful in creating jewellery, it is called Beryl.
The Colours
Let’s talk about what makes this stone popular – its different shades that reminds everyone of the sea – as the most important thing to remember when learning how to choose aquamarine gemstones is the colour. The colour of the gemstone will dictate what grade the gemstone is. Be aware of the common colour variations and how these variations affect the value of the gemstone. The more processed a gemstone is, the lighter its colour will be.
There are many different colours of aquamarine gemstones available. Here are some of them:
- Light Blue Vs. Dark Blue
Blue is a colour often associated with truth, wisdom and purity, and aquamarines are commonly found in the light blue shade. It has been found to have the highest chromium concentration of all the gemstones, which makes it one of the most popular shades for gemstones. This stone can be either light or dark blue in colour depending on which way the light is coming in or whether it is day or night.
- Green
You can also find aquamarine gemstones in green, a colour that usually symbolises clarity, honesty and trust. It isn’t surprising to find one in such a colour, especially when green is a shade close to the colour blue and is even one of the known colours of the sea.
- Purple
You may be surprised to know that aquamarine’s deepest shade can have the deepest purple. When this is lightened, the colour becomes more desaturated and it becomes possible for the gemstones to come into contact with each other. Many of these gemstones come from the same mines in Brazil. They are all part of the ‘puterio’ group of minerals, which are known for their wide variety of colours.
- Light Blue & Deep Purple
Aquamarines are found in the middle variety, which is a combination of light blue and deep purple. This gemstone comes from the same mines in Brazil, where the other two colours of aquamarines are found. The light blues are usually found as natural shades, while the purple shade is usually found in man-made products such as jewellery, and other gemstones. Because of the close relationship between the aquamarines and the purple, this gemstone is also sometimes referred to as the mother of all purple gemstones.
The Cut
One of the factors that influence the quality of the gemstone is how the gemstone has been cut. Different gemstones are cut differently. They are also shaped differently. These differences can mean the difference between a nice large blue gemstone and one that is more on the dull side, with little appeal to the eye.
The value of the gemstone can also be affected by how it has been cut and crafted. If the gemstone has a decent quality then it can be sold for more money than a lesser quality stone. However, the value of the gemstone does not always correlate directly with its quality.
Shopping For Aquamarine Jewellery
Learning how to wisely choose from the many aquamarine gemstones for sale starts with having basic knowledge about them. Pay close attention to the description of the gemstones on any piece of jewellery or another item that you are considering to purchase. It’s essential to understand their characteristics and how they are mined. There are aquamarines that contain large amounts of aluminium while there are some that are totally free of the metal.
Once you have some idea about how to choose aquamarine gemstones wisely, you can start shopping around for the perfect pieces of jewellery to add to your collection.
