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Aquamarine Specimens
Aquamarine (Lat. aqua marinā, "water of the sea") is a gemstone-quality transparent variety
of beryl, having a delicate blue or turquoise color, suggestive of the tint of seawater. It is closely related to the gem
emerald. Aquamarine (along with bloodstone) is the birthstone associated with March. It is also the gemstone for the 19th
Anniversary. People in the Middle Ages thought that aquamarine could magically overcome the effects of poison. Ancient sailors
traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would ensure a safe passage, and guarantee a safe return; they often
slept with the stones under their pillow to ensure sound sleep. They believed the siren's (mermaid) fish-like lower body was
made of aquamarine.
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, Vietnam and many U.S. localities, produce wonderful
specimens as well.
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Awesome, very gemmy, nicely colored crystal from Yen Bai, Viet Nam. Mounted in a 1½" perky box. Approx.size:
23x4x2.5 Weight: 2.6 cts.
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Rich dark, naturally colored crystal from Yen Bai, Viet Nam. This piece appears to have been double terminated,
but the termination on the gemmy end is missing, or perhaps it was the contact point. Hard to tell, but this is a great
specimen anyway you look at it! Mounted in it'd very own labeled perky box.Approx. size: 27x9x7 Weight: 14 cts!
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Small lightly colored crystal with a good termination from Yen Bai, Vietnam. Mounted in a 1½" perky box. Approx.
size: 22x4x3 Weight: 2.3 cts.
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This crystal has really beautiful color, but it is heavily included and the sides of the crystal aren't real well-formed,
but there is a good termination on this piece from Yen Bai, Vietnam. Approx. size: 29x28x14 Weight: 40.7 cts.
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This beautiful light blue stubby crystal from Shigar, Pakistan has a facinating termination. Too cloudy to
be of gem quality, it makes a wonderful addition to anyone's collection. Approx. size: 23x23x20 Weight: 19.6 grams
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Pretty little light blue stubby crystal from Shigar, Pakistan. Approx. size: 21x19x12 Weight: 8.8 grams
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Pretty small light blue crystal from Shigar, Pakistan. Mounted in a 1½" perky box. Approx. size: 22x10x9
Weight: 2.7 grams
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Uniquely-formed. stubby light blue crystal resting atop a piece of black schorl tourmaline from Shigar, Pakistan.
Approx. size: 38x24x27 Weight: 20.94 grams.
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Well-formed opaque light blue crystal resting on albite from Shigar, Pakistan. Approx. size: 25x25x33 Weight:
18.18 grams
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Stubby, light blue crystal from Shigar, Pakistan squashed between books of muscovite and solid albite. Approx.
size: 35x35x25 Weight: 26.9 grams
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Alluring, gemmy light blue crystal in situ from Shigar, Pakistan. The main aqua crystal is lying inside a small
vug surrounded by black schorl tourmaline. There are a couple of other smaller beryl crysyals inside the matrix throughout
the piece. Approx. size: 54x48x25 Weight: 65.53 grams
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Crazy little specimen with an small aquamarine crystal, that has a castle-like termination, stuck onto the end of a pinky-sized
schorl tourmaline crystal. Truly a wonderful little piece from the Shigar Valley in Pakistan. Approx. size:
46x22x21 Weight: 19.2 grams
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