Aquamarine (gem)
| Aquamarine | |
|---|---|
Aquamarine on muscovite | |
| General | |
| Category | Silicate minerals, beryl variety |
| Formula | Be3Al2Si6O18 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Pale blue to light green |
| Fracture | Conchoidal |
| Mohs scale hardness | 7.5–8 |
| Streak | White |
| Diaphaneity | Transparent to translucent |
| Specific gravity | 2.65–2.85 |
| Refractive index | 1.57-1.59 |
Aquamarine is a pale-blue to light-green variety of the beryl family. It is transparent to translucent and possesses a hexagonal crystal system. Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone, rendering it more accessible for purchase, compared to other gems in the beryl family.
Aquamarine mainly forms in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, a process that takes millions of years and is associated with Precambrian rocks.
Aquamarine occurs in many countries over the world, and is most commonly used for jewelry, decoration and its properties .
Famous aquamarines include the Dom Pedro, the Roosevelt Aquamarine, the Hirsch Aquamarine, Queen Elizabeth's Tiara, Meghan Markle's ring, and the Schlumberger bow.