Aquamarine Information

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AQUAMARINE PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

• Aquamarine Chemical composition: Be₃Al₂(Si₆O₁₈)
• Class: cyclosilicates
• Crystal System: hexagonal; 6/m2/m2/m
• 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
• Aquamarine Streak: white

BERYL (Aquamarine) BACKGROUND INFORMATION

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 OCCURRENCE AND DIAGNOSTIC FEATURES

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.

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AQUAMARINE HISTORY INFORMATION AND AQUAMARINE USES

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.


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AQUAMARINE METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

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.

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Aquamarine

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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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