Aquamarine
VARIETY INFORMATION:
- VARIETY OF: Beryl, Be3
Al2 Si6 O18 .
- USES: Gemstone.
- BIRTHSTONE FOR: March
- COLOR: various shades of blue to blue-green.
- INDEX OF REFRACTION: 1.57 - 1.60
- BIREFRINGENCE: 0.004 - 0.008
- HARDNESS: 7.5 - 8
- CLEAVAGE: one direction, poor.
- CRYSTAL SYSTEM: hexagonal
- Pleochroic: weak
Aquamarine is the blue, or perhaps more correctly, blue-green
or aqua variety of the mineral beryl. Other gemstone color varieties that belong
to beryl include emerald, morganite, and heliodor. Other colors of beryl are
simply referred to by their color, such as red beryl.
Aquamarine is colored by trace amounts of iron that find
their way into the crystal structure. Most gem aquamarines have been heat
treated to produce the popular blue-green colors from less desirable yellow or
pale stones. The leading producer of aquamarines is the country of Brazil, which
has many mines. Pakistan, as well as many U.S. localities, produce wonderful
specimens as well.
Serendipity
Ranch Gem Mine