Aquamarine: Gem of the Sea

Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral beryl. Known to the Romans and Greeks, it's name means "water of the sea." They believed that this sea-colored gem was a powerful talisman of protection for sailors.

Finished aquamarine ranges in size from very small up to several hundred carats. Most of what we see on the market is an extremely pale blue material but it can occur in bold hues, as well.



The natural color often includes an element of green. Heat can lessen, and even eliminate, this cast. Gems with a greenish tint can indicate an untreated stone like this amazing specimen:




Specimens containing intact liquid inclusions prove the absence of heat treatment. These inclusions are often two-phase, meaning that they contain both liquid and gas and what you will see under the microscope is a liquid-filled void with a bubble in it.



For your drooling pleasure, please enjoy a few pieces by our talented Starving Jewelry Artists:






Featuring artisan handmade creations by the Etsy Starving Artists jewelry team. SATeam members create handcrafted jewelry and beads. More information about our team and its current Etsy shop owner members can be found at SATEAM.etsy.com.