March Birthstone: Aquamarine
Aquamarine takes its name from Latin for seawater, and no gem wears its name better. It is the blue-to-blue-green member of the beryl family, sibling to emerald, but where emerald is dramatic and included, aquamarine is calm and glassy clear.
Sailors once carried it as a talisman for safe passage. Today it is one of the most wearable colored stones there is, at prices that reward buying a confident size.
The color of the sea
Aquamarine ranges from the palest sky blue to a saturated ocean blue; the deeper and purer the blue, the higher the value. Most stones on the market are light, which is part of the gem's airy charm, but a medium-blue stone with no gray in it is the connoisseur's pick.
Because the tone is light, aquamarine rewards size. A larger stone shows the color far better than a small one, and per-carat prices stay reasonable as sizes climb, which is unusual among fine gems.
Durability and care
At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine handles rings and daily wear well. It is typically eye-clean, so expect and demand good clarity.
Clean with warm soapy water. Ultrasonic cleaners are usually safe for untreated, eye-clean stones, but a soft brush does the job with zero risk.
Buying notes
- Prefer blue over green-blue unless the wearer loves the seafoam look; pure blue carries the value.
- Most aquamarine is gently heated to remove green tints; this is routine, stable, and accepted, but should be disclosed.
- Emerald cuts and long ovals suit the stone's clarity beautifully.
- Very pale stones are lovely and inexpensive; just know that pale is what you are buying.
Common questions
Aquamarine versus blue topaz: what is the difference?
They can look similar, but nearly all vivid blue topaz is irradiated to get its color and costs much less. Aquamarine's blue is essentially its own. If a deep blue stone is priced like a bargain, it is probably topaz, which is fine, as long as it is labeled honestly.
Does aquamarine work as an engagement stone?
It is one of the better colored-stone choices: hard, tough enough with a protective setting, and distinctive. Expect to polish out small scratches after years of wear, something we handle in the store.
