gemstone

Aquamarine

Beryl (Be3Al2(SiO3)6)

Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue, blue-green, greenish-blue. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal structure: Hexagonal. Cleavage: Poor in one direction. Specific gravity: 2.68 to 2.74.

Hardness: 7
Color: Pale blue, blue-green, greenish-blue
Luster: Vitreous (glassy)

Identified August 5, 2026More gemstone →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in pegmatites and in cavities within metamorphic rocks such as schists and gneisses, often crystallizing from hydrothermal solutions during the late stages of magma crystallization.

Uses & applications

Widely used in fine jewelry such as rings, necklaces, and earrings, as well as valued by mineral collectors for high-quality cut gemstones and crystal specimens.

Geological facts

Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin word for seawater. The largest gem-quality aquamarine ever found was in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910, weighing over 110 kilograms.

Field identification & locations

Identified by its distinctive hexagonal crystal habit, vitreous luster, pale blue or bluish-green color, and high hardness (scratches glass). Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, and the United States.