Aquamarine

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl group and is its blue variety. Strong sky blue and greenish blue are sought after. Especially prized is the so-called Santa Maria blue, named after a famous locality in Brazil.

Today the term Santa Maria blue is also used in the trade for aquamarines of other origin when they show a correspondingly intense blue colour.

Its name comes from the Latin “aqua marina” and means seawater. Aquamarines fascinate with their clear, often pastel blue.

It is fascinating that aquamarine frequently forms very large and exceptionally clean crystals. When large stones are cut, however, the blue colour often appears lighter and less intense. Aquamarines with a strong, saturated blue, particularly of Santa Maria quality, are therefore especially sought after.

Famous piece of jewellery

The Brazilian aquamarine parure of Queen Elizabeth II is one of the best-known jewellery suites in the world. The exceptional aquamarines were presented to her in 1953 by the president and people of Brazil. The parure was later extended with a tiara, a brooch and a bracelet.

With a Mohs hardness of about 7.5 to 8, aquamarine is well suited to being worked into jewellery. The colouring trace element is iron.

Important sources are in Brazil, including Minas Gerais, Pakistan, Madagascar, Namibia, Nigeria, Mozambique, Afghanistan, China and other countries.