If you’re lucky enough to have been born in March, you’re lucky to have a birthstone as lovely as aquamarine. This beautifully clear, pale-blue to sky-blue stone has a magical appearance of a summer sky, or a clear blue sea. This, perhaps, is why it was a favourite with sailors, believing it would bring them calm seas and oceans.
Aquamarine is part of the beryl family, closely related to both the emerald (which is green), and morganite (a pink / rose gold coloured gem).The colour variations are from the small amounts of chromium in emeralds, manganese in morganite and small traces of iron in aquamarines.
The most sought after aquamarines are often referred to as Santa Maria, in reference to a specific mine in Brazil that produced rich green / blue coloured stone, which is now almost exhausted. Brazil remains the world’s leading source of gem-quality stones, and the stones are still referred to as Santa Maria, even if they are not from this mine.
Found in both pegmatites (within rock) and alluvial deposits, outside of Brazil the leading sources of aquamarines, are:
- Afghanistan
- Kenya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mozambique
- Nigeria
- Pakistan
- Russia
- Tanzania
- Zambia
Similar to Emerald
Unlike emeralds, this gemstone is very often extremely clear and free from inclusion. It is also the same hardness on the Mohs scale (7.5 – 8), so it is a durable gemstone for jewellery… as long as it is treated with care, to protect against scratching and hard knocks.
HM Queen Elizabeth II has perhaps one of the most fantastic collections of Aquamarine jewellery. During her coronation trip in 1953 the people of Brazil gifted her a beautiful set of glistening diamonds and aquamarines in the form of a necklace with matching pendant earrings. This set has since been reworked into a tiara and necklace, now with a matching bracelet and earrings. Clearly a favourite, as seen worn in the link above – though perhaps a little too much for everyday wear!
Large emerald cut aquamarines remain popular today, with many celebrities proudly wearing them, including Kirstie Alsop and of course Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex – who has been photographed on many occasions wearing items from Diana’s collection.
At Cry for the Moon we have many beautiful items, including:
Engagement Rings
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| 18ct White Gold Trilogy Aquamarine & Diamond Ring | Aquamarine & Diamond Three Stone Ring | Emerald Cut Aquamarine & Diamond Cluster Ring | Oval Aquamarine & Diamond Cluster Ring |
| £2,470 | £3,300 | £2,810 | £3,680 |
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Pendants
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| Aquamarine & Diamond 18ct White Gold Pendant | Aquamarine & Diamond Cluster Pendant | Aquamarine & Diamond Cushion Shaped Pendant | Briolette Aquamarine & Diamond Pendant |
| £1,650 | £1,285 | £975 | £9,850 |
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Earrings
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| 18ct White Gold Aquamarine Stud Earring | Aquamarine & Diamond Cluster Earrings | Emerald Cut Aquamarine & Diamond Stud Earrings | 18ct White Gold Pear Shaped Aquamarine & Diamond Drop Earrings |
| £375 | £825 | £1,050 | £645 |
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