Aquamarine gemstones belong to the prestigious beryl group of minerals. Beryl crystals are some of the precious gems found in nature.

The name -Aquamarine- has its origin in the Latin phrase ‘Water of the sea’. Yes, this eye-pleasing gemstone has the color of “sea water”.

The native rocks facilitate the growth conditions for the formation of aquamarine. As Pluto cooled, minerals crystallized to form precious stones like aquamarine. The size of the crystal is relative to the rate of cooling. Large crystals form when the cooling rate is too slow.

These gemstones are naturally formed under specific violent geological conditions. The formation of natural aquamarine gemstones dates back to 35 million years ago, when high-pressure, mineral-rich magma flowed into the rock layers of mountain ranges. As it cooled, the magma fluid became trapped in cavities of mineral-saturated fluid that was heated to a very high temperature of 1,112°F. Minerals, including aquamarines and other gemstones, crystallized in these pockets of fluid. Over millions of years, variations in pressure and temperature caused erosion, uplift, and displacement that resulted in crystals, minerals, and gems.

Aquamarine, a precious earthly gem, is found in natural geological formations. These crystalline formations are popularly called pegmatite. Large crystals generally form in open voids called pockets. These are commonly associated with feldspar, muscovite, and quartz crystals.

These gems are also found in cavities in granites and greisens. During the cooling stages of the location, the granite rocks shifted and eroded to form hydrothermal carbonate veins that host aquamarine in large quantities.

This clear, transparent gemstone is often found in conjunction with well-known pegmatite accessory minerals such as garnet, biotite, topaz, and phenachite.

Chemically Declared Aquamarine is a beryllium aluminum silicate mineral. It has a Mohs hardness ranging from 7.5 to 8 with a specific gravity of around 2.68 to 2.74. Good hardness and good specific gravity, the prominent properties of this gem make it available in alluvial deposits as well.

Aquamarines are found mainly in Brazil, Zimbabwe, Namibia, South Africa and the United States, among other places where it is present in large quantities. Dark blue aquamarines have been mined in India.

It is quite common for aquamarine roughs to be available in large quantities in nature. Crudes weighing up to 110 kilograms have been discovered in some mines. An enormous number of gems weighing around 2000 carats have been cut from naturally occurring crystal formations.

The pale green to pleasant blue hues of aquamarine are caused by the iron present in its crystal structure. Traces of iron present in this beautiful gemstone give them their beautiful color that ranges from pastel blue to teal.

This gem usually occurs in very large crystals that are shaped like perfect hexagons. Bicolor aquamarines are also naturally present along with other beryl minerals such as morganite. Naturally sourced rough aquamarine is usually flawless with no inclusions and is not very expensive.

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