Aquamarine Crystal Habit:aquamarine crystals are prismatic, elongate or flattened, they are often vertically striated
and grooved. Some aquamarine crystals show varying degrees of etching.
Twinning: twinning is very rare and simple on pyramidal planes{3141} or{4041}
Specific gravity: 2.68 - 2.80
Index of refraction: 1.563 - 1.583
Birefringence: weak (0.005 - 0.007)
Pleochroism: distinct in strongly colored specimens, blue or green/colorless
Aquamarine Hardness: 7.5 - 8.0
Aquamarine Color: blue to blue-green to sea-green
Aquamarine Luster: vitreous, some specimens have chatoyancy (cat's-eyes and stars)
Aquamarine Transparency: transparent to translucent
Aquamarine Cleavage: imperfect, parallel to the basal pinacoid {0001}
Aquamarine Fracture: conchoidal to uneven, brittle
Beryl (Be3Al2(Si6O18) is a
relatively common mineral
although it does contain the rare element beryllium. It is most
well known however for its gem varieties:
the light green to blue aquamarine,
the intense green emerald,
the yellowish-green to golden heliodor (also known as golden beryl),
and the light pink to salmon colored beryl variety knaon as morganite.
Beryl also occurs as the colorless gem variety goshenite, and as
the very rare red gem beryl variety bixbite.
Aquamarine crystals (Be3Al2(Si6O18))
occur primarily in granite pegmatites and to a lesser extent in miarolitic
cavities in granites, also in hydrothermal carbonate veins and greisens.
Aquamarine is typically associated with quartz,
albite feldspar, and muscovite, and occurs
with other pegmatite accessory minerals such as biotite, smoky quartz, garnet,
phenakite and topaz.
Because of aquamarine's relatively high hardness and specific gravity, it is
sometimes found in eluvial and aluvial deposits.
The color of aquamarine is due to trace amounts of iron impurities in the
beryl structure. The color ranges from pale green to pale blue to blue depending
on the relative concentrations of Fe2+ to Fe3+ and
on where the iron impurities are located within the beryl crystal
structure. The beryl crystal structure contains channels outlined by rings
of (Si-O)6 units. These rings are stacked upon each other
leaving space within the channels for water or other impurities. Color influencing
iron impurities can be present in these interstitial channel sites or substituting
for aluminum in octahedral sites. When Fe3+ is present substituting
for aluminum in the octahedral site a yellow color is produced. When
Fe2+ is present in the interstitial channel site a pure blue
color is evident. When both are present the typical blue-green color of fine aquamarine jewelry
is produced. Heating a green-blue aquamarine gem to approximately
300 degrees Celcius reduces the Fe3+ to Fe2+, thereby
eliminating the yellow and green colors leaving only the pure blue color
that is most popular. Irradiation can reverse this process restoring
the yellow and green colors.
Aquamarine is usually recognized by its hexagonal form, color and specific
gravity. Distinguished from apatite by its greater hardness.
The word aquamarine is of Latin origin meaning sea water in
allusion to its color.
Aquamarine is used as a gemstone.
Traditionally, aquamarine has been used as a charm by sailors for
protection while at sea. It also is believed to preserve and enhance mutual
love and to maintain a good marriage, and to ensure truth in relationships and
business dealings.
The astrological signs of aquamarine are Pisces and Scorpio.
Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for the month of March. Aquamarine jewelry is also an optional birthstone gift
for birthdays in October.
Wearing aquamarine jewelry or holding an aquamarine crystal is said to release anger and negativity replacing them
with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. It
is also said to aid in meditation, and to give courage and to assist in
self-expression.
Using natural aquamarine jewelry is said to help reduce dependence on drugs,
to aid in digestion, as a remedy for swollen glands and to maintain
the health of the jaws and teeth.
For more in-depth metaphysical information, see our Metaphysical Books section.
To see more aquamarine photos, just select another link shown below. To see photos of another mineral variety, select any link in our Mineral Inventory & Factsheet Index.
For more information about natural aquamarine and its history, physical properties, chemistry, occurance, and metaphysical uses be sure to see our aquamarine information page.
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