Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin aqua marina — water of the sea — and looks exactly like its name: a soft, translucent blue caught somewhere between glacier and tropical lagoon. It is the modern birthstone for March and one of the most accessible fine gems in fine jewellery.
Where aquamarine comes fromAquamarine is a variety of beryl — the same mineral family as emerald — coloured pale blue by trace iron in the crystal lattice. The finest deposits come from Brazil's Minas Gerais state, with significant sources in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan and Russia. Brazilian aquamarines tend to lean greenish-blue; Santa Maria stones from Brazil and Madagascar's deeper teal blues are the most coveted.
Aquamarine forms in granitic pegmatites — slow-cooled magma pockets where minerals have time to grow into large, clean crystals. Single rough stones over 100 kg have been recorded, which is why aquamarine is one of the few gems where large clean cut stones are obtainable without astronomical price.
Symbolism and folkloreRoman sailors carved aquamarine into amulets engraved with Neptune to protect them at sea. Greek tradition held that the stone fell from sirens' treasure chests onto the shore. In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was used to "reawaken" love between long-married couples and was given to brides on the morning after their wedding as a symbol of fidelity.
Today the gem represents:
- Calm and clarity — the colour itself is associated with tranquillity.
- Courage — a Roman tradition still cited in modern birthstone literature.
- Protection during travel, especially over water.
- Honest communication — a popular gift between close friends and life partners.
Four practical factors determine value:
- Colour: a medium-deep, pure blue with no greenish tint commands the highest prices. The "Santa Maria" colour standard is the gold standard.
- Clarity: aquamarine is typically a "Type I" gem — meaning eye-clean stones are common. Always insist on no visible inclusions.
- Cut: a well-proportioned cut maximises the stone's glow. Emerald and oval cuts are traditional; modern designers favour kite, hexagon and elongated cushion shapes.
- Carat: aquamarine looks beautiful at every size. A 1–3 ct stone is everyday wear; cocktail rings often go 5 ct or larger.
Heat treatment to enhance blue colour is industry-standard and accepted; ask whether the stone is treated and price accordingly.
Hardness and daily wearAquamarine scores 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale — durable enough for everyday rings but slightly more vulnerable to chips than a sapphire. Avoid impact, ultrasonic cleaners and household chemicals. Warm soapy water with a soft brush is all you need.
How to style aquamarine- Pendants: the gem reads beautifully against the skin in pear, oval and emerald cuts. A 1–2 ct stone on an 18-inch chain is a perfect first aquamarine.
- Cocktail rings: larger stones (5 ct+) in white gold or platinum let the icy blue dominate.
- Drop earrings: two matched pear cuts swing with movement and catch light beautifully.
- Engagement rings: aquamarine is having a real moment as a coloured-stone alternative to diamond — Princess Eugenie's emerald-cut padparadscha-style and the Duchess of Sussex's recent aquamarine pieces have boosted its profile.
The traditional March stone is the bloodstone (heliotrope) — an opaque green chalcedony flecked with red. It remains the choice in some classical British and European calendars. Tibetan tradition also lists jade for March-born.
FAQIs aquamarine fragile?
Not particularly. With a Mohs hardness of 7.5–8, it stands up to daily wear in earrings and necklaces. Set in a protective bezel for a ring you wear hands-on every day.
Why does the same stone look slightly different in two photographs?
Aquamarine's colour shifts noticeably with lighting. It looks more vivid in daylight and softer under warm indoor light. Always view a stone in two different lighting conditions before buying.
Are large aquamarines expensive?
Less than you might think. Because the rough crystals grow large and clean, a 5 ct fine-quality aquamarine costs a fraction of a comparable sapphire or emerald — making it one of the best-value coloured stones in fine jewellery.
Discover more about unusual coloured gems, or browse our necklaces collection for aquamarine pendant ideas.
