A member of the Beryl mineral family, aquamarine is most famous for its gorgeous sea-blue tone. Named for the Latin phrase “water of the sea”, aquamarine ranges from pale light blue to blue-green or green-blue to medium dark blue—the more saturated, the higher the value. Today, many shoppers actually prefer the light aqua blue aquamarine with crystal-clean luster.

Aquamarine has long been a symbol of youth, health, hope, and love. The Romans believed aquamarine absorbed the atmosphere of young love: “When blessed and worn, it joins in love, and does great things.” In Medieval times, aquamarine was thought to reawaken the love of married couples. Today, it’s the birthstone for March and used to celebrate the 16th and 19th wedding anniversary.

Aquamarine gems have an outstanding vitreous, glass-like luster and are often flawless with excellent transparency and clarity. Similar to other types of beryl (such as morganite), aquamarine also has a good durability and hardness, ranging from 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Gemstone-quality stones are often sourced from mines in Brazil, but deposits have been found in Madagascar, Australia, China, India, and the United States.

Similar to most gemstones, aquamarine have an affinity for grease and dirt. We recommend removing the ring when applying lotion, washing your hands, taking a shower, or doing housework with household cleaners, as any residue may dull the color’s appearance. Perfumes, hairsprays and household or strong chemical cleaners will damage the stone and cause dullness and uneven color spots.