Aquamarine Rings and Jewelry
History
Aquamarine
rings hold the beauty of the ocean in a lovely gemstone. Aquamarine
stones, seawater in Latin, ranges in color from light blue to
dark blue and sometimes with a hint of green. The aquamarine is mined
in Madagascar, Brazil, Pakistan, Mozambique, Zambia, Tanzania, Kenya
and Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Russia.
The gemstone is ranked 7 on Mohs scale of hardness (diamond is
10- the hardest substance). Although aquamarines are from the same
family as Emerald (beryl), they are not as prone to inclusions.
Near-flawless gems are easier to find.
Aquamarine stones are typically cut in ovals and emerald cuts.
The more saturated colors are larger because it takes size for the
color to hold in the darker shade. Some aquamarine stones are also
heat-treated. This practice is very common; it takes out the green
and makes the stone bluer. It is a permanent treatment that is accepted
in the jewelry industry.
Aquamarine is March's birthstone and is recommended for the 19th
wedding anniversary.
How to Buy
When buying aquamarine
rings, look at the color. Traditionally, people want the pure
blue aquamarine stones, but blue-green aquamarines are also beautiful.
If you do not mind a green tint, you will find less expensive aquamarine
gemstones. Most aquamarines on the market today have been heated-treated,
a permanent and common procedure.
Some questions to ask when purchasing gemstones are:
- Is the stone natural or synthetic?
- Are there any noticeable scratches, chips or inclusions?
- Is the color even throughout the stone?
- How good is the color?
As with all jewelry purchases comparison-shop and see how much different
retailers are selling the same item. Research information on aquamarines
to make sure you get the best value for your purchase.
Care
Clean your aquamarine
rings with warm, soapy water and a soap brush. Mechanical cleaners
are safe, but not for heavily included stones. Always store your
aquamarines in a fabric-lined box to keep it safe from other pieces
of jewelry. Never wear your jewelry when doing rough work or working
with harsh chemicals.
With these tips, your beautiful aquamarines should last you for
many years.
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