As a birthstone for March, the aquamarine symbolizes youth and rejuvenation and foreshadows the oncoming spring after a long winter. And at Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry, you can receive 10% off select settings during the month of March when you purchase an aquamarine from our collection of loose gemstones.
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl mineral family, having almost the exact same chemical structure as an emerald, with only slight differences in color. The name comes from Latin, meaning “seawater,” and refers to the very common blueish-green hues that it has when found in nature. Manmade aquamarine, and those that have undergone heat treatments, can be almost completely blue, having no traces of green or yellow within them.
History
In ancient Greek and Roman civilizations, aquamarine was believed to have protected sailors and wayfarers on their journeys across the open ocean. In the same vein, this precious gemstone was thought to be able to turn the tides of hostility and was often gifted to enemies with the hopes of creating new friendships.
The cool and calming colors of aquamarine are thought to be able to bring peace and happiness to all relationships. Many newlyweds are gifted aquamarine as a way to promote stability in their marriage. The gemstone is often set beside diamonds in engagement rings as a sign of pure love and commitment.
Like many beryl minerals, aquamarine forms large crystals, making it particularly suitable for beautiful statement pieces. Thanks to aquamarine’s high clarity, they can be cut into almost any gemstone shape—though emerald and oval cuts have been most popular.
At Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry, you can find a variety of aquamarines within our collection of loose gemstones, fit for any budget or setting. Ask our trained GIA Accredited Jewelry professionals how we can take your loose aquamarine and craft it into a custom jewelry piece that is as unique as you.
Famous Aquamarines in History
The Dom Pedro Aquamarine
(Photo Via Smithsonian Institute)
At a staggering 10,363 carats, the Dom Pedro Aquamarine is known as the world's largest cut aquamarine to-date. The gemstone is one of three segments broken apart from the original 3ft long, 100lb gemstone first mined in Brazil's Minas Gerais region in the 1980s. While jewelers bought the other two segments, the final piece was preserved and named after the two emperors of Brazil, Dom Pedro, and his son by the same name.
It wouldn't be until the 1990s that the Dom Pedro Aquamarine would truly catch public attention after being sold to Bernd Munsteiner, a German artist looking for a new art medium. His final design for the Dom Pedro Aquamarine is called Ondas Maritimas of "Waves of the Sea," which features a series of diagonal, inlaid cuts that refract light within the obelisk shape. Today the Dom Pedro Aquamarine is on display at Smithsonian’s National Gem and Mineral Collection.
The Roosevelt Aquamarine
(Photo Via FDR library).
As part of a “Good Neighbor” tour during his second term, President Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Brazil in 1936 to meet with Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas. As a show of appreciation and welcoming, President Vargas gifted First Lady Roosevelt with a 1,298-carat aquamarine from his private collection. At the time, this aquamarine was known as the largest cut gemstone of its kind, carved from a rough stone weighing 1.3 kilograms.
The gemstone would come to be known as the Roosevelt Aquamarine, kept by the First Lady until she would eventually donate it to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in 1947.
Meghan Markle’s Aquamarine Ring
(Photo Via MeghansMirror.com)
Shortly following her wedding to Prince Harry in 2018, Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, was spotted wearing Princess Diana’s Asprey Aquamarine ring. Prince Harry pulled the ring from his mother’s collection as a gift to Markle on their wedding day, both as a sign of his love for her and to fill the role of “something blue” in their traditional ceremony.
The ring features a prominent emerald-cut aquamarine surrounded by diamond accents and set in 24-carat yellow gold. The ring was commissioned to match Princess Diana’s existing pearl and aquamarine bracelet, which she received previously from the royal family. The ring alone was valued at over $100,000 in 2018, though it’s speculated that the ring could fetch more if it were ever sent to auction.
CARING FOR YOUR AQUAMARINE
Aquamarine ranks between a 7.5 and an eight on the Mohs hardness scale, making it a relatively durable gemstone for daily wear. However, special consideration should be taken when caring for gems with inclusions or fractures. These features may not be able to withstand ultrasonic cleaners and should be regularly inspected by trained jewelry professionals.
When caring for your aquamarine at home, always hand wash with warm soapy water. Avoid acidic cleaners as they may affect the color of your gemstone. Dry each piece completely and store it in a soft padded bag or box. As with all jewelry, have your aquamarine inspected yearly for new fractures or scrapes.
During the month of February, enjoy 10% off a setting when you purchase a loose aquamarine from the wide selection of gemstones available at Jacqueline’s Fine Jewelry in Morgantown, WV and Uniontown, PA.