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. Specific Gravity: 2.68 to 2.74.
- Hardness
- 7
- Color
- Pale blue, blue-green, greenish-blue
- Luster
- Vitreous (glassy)
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Physical properties
Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Color: Pale blue, blue-green, greenish-blue. Luster: Vitreous (glassy). Crystal Structure: Hexagonal. Cleavage: Poor. Specific Gravity: 2.68 to 2.74.
Formation & geological history
Forms primarily within granitic pegmatites and in metamorphic rocks like mica schists, often through hydrothermal processes where beryllium-rich fluids crystallize in cavities or fractures. Geological age varies widely depending on the deposit.
Uses & applications
Widely used in fine jewelry (rings, necklaces, earrings) and as a collector's mineral specimen.
Geological facts
Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin words 'aqua' (water) and 'marina' (of the sea). The largest gem-quality aquamarine ever found was in Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910, weighing over 240 pounds.
Field identification & locations
Identified by its distinctive light blue to blue-green color, high hardness, and hexagonal crystal habit when rough. Commonly found in Brazil, Madagascar, Pakistan, Russia, and the United States.
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