The Neptunian Stone Aquamarine - How is the Aquamarine Birthstone Formed?

Nature is incredibly amazing! 

Not only its manifesting beauty but the strange mysteries that nature underlies are beyond our sanities. The whopping ocean portrays the most transcendent aspect of nature.

As deep as we humans immerse through the earth, we unveil the wondrous beauties of nature that the mystical world retains. 

Aquamarine is one of the beauties of nature that came into being with the assortment of various salts accumulated in the igneous rock. It is clear and hard mineral beryl that mainly comprises aluminum, beryllium, and silica. It retains a hexagonal crystal shape and varies with respect to its size.

The exquisite gem is pale blue in color which enhances its beauty and witnesses its affinity with the oceans. Its soothing appearance animates a lifeless soul with cheering emotions, courage, harmony, love, and compassion.

In this article, you will soon be acknowledged with the amazing attributes of aquamarine, the elements that arose this amazing existence, and how it can be naturally and synthetically formulated. You will explore the secrets behind its soothing look and the unique color and dimensions that it usually acquires.

History of Aquamarine

In ancient times, the gorgeous gemstone was considered to be the treasure of mermaids. 

The early Greek sailors used to keep Neptunian aquamarine birthstones along with them in their prolonged navigational voyage. They thought it to be a source of fearlessness and protection that would protect them from the deadly storm. 

Early Romans called the gem, Water of the Sea and believed that it brings good luck and also called it to be the sacred stone from God of the sea to protect themselves from death during sailoring. 

Similar conceptions were also prevalent among Egyptians, Sumerians, and Hebrews. It was believed that the high priest of the second temple was worn aquamarine gems.

Physical Properties of Aquamarine

The word ‘aquamarine’ is a combination of two Latin words, i.e., aqua, which means water, and marina, which refers to sea because of its oceanic color. 

 

• It belongs to the family of beryl. It retains the chemical composition of beryllium, silicon dioxide, and aluminum, having a chemical formula of Be3Al2Si6O18.

• The crystal lattice is hexagonally dimensioned.

• The size can deviate largely from small to very large even 45 kg.

• It is scored 7.5 - 8 out of 10 on the Mohs scale hardness.

• It has a specific gravity of 2.68 - 2.79.

• It is hued pale blue to greenish-blue due to the presence of traces of ferric and ferrous ions.

• The gem, also known as Beruj, basically originated in Brazil.

• It is abundantly available and also integrated synthetically. Thus, it is readily affordable.

• It is a birthstone of March and is recommended for people with the zodiac sign Pisces.

 

Secrets for Aquamarines' Unique Appearance

Pure beryl is transparent to such an extent that it was primitively used as lenses to make spectacles. Certain impurities give them specified hues.

The cool blue hue that the aquamarine reflects enriches its beauty and eminence. Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family. Even though the beryl is colorless, all the members of the family have their characteristics colors. 

Their beautiful sparkling shades are attained by various metallic elements. Another member of the Beryl family, Morganite, has its characteristic color thanks to manganese. Emerald, aquamarine's more complicated sister, is colorized by vanadium, chromium, and iron.

The most typical form of aquamarine retains an obscure blue shade. The stones with acute blue shades are rare. Hence, its enriching blue shade increases its worth.

In fact, traces of iron give a gorgeous blue look to aquamarine. However, it can be found in various color ranges from greenish blue to blue. Ionic iron in this gem is present in two forms. These are ferrous ion (Fe2+) and ferric ion (Fe3+). 

Ferrous ion gives the stone a pale blue look. Although, ferric ion turns it into a slightly greenish stone.

In a rough state, the aquamarine is usually greenish-blue. Its characteristic pale blue shade is obtained, sometimes attained artificially, by treating it with heat that transforms ferric iron into ferrous iron inducing a pale blue appearance. 

The strength of the color of aquamarine determines its value. Stones with a faint blue color are less expensive due to their abundant availability. However, gems with a rich blue shade are rare and more precious.

The Formulation Process of An Aquamarine Birthstone

The aquamarine gemstone is found naturally in igneous rocks in different areas worldwide. Brazil is the leading source of aquamarine all over the world. It is deposited there in both alluvial and pegmatites forms. Malawi, Madagascar, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Zambia, Russia, Pakistan, Srilanka, and Kenya are the primary sources of gem-quality aquamarine.

Aside from these natural occurrences in various areas across the world, nowadays, it can also be synthesized artificially in the laboratory by implementing all the conditions parallel to the natural process. The artificially synthesized aquamarine is cheaper and quite identical to the naturally obtained stone.

Natural Process

Aquamarine is formed naturally in a type of rock called igneous rock.

The word igneous is derived from a Latin word that means fire, as it is formed when a rock heats up and melts. This molten rock converts into crystals and solidifies.

Several geological processes keep going on for millions of years and transform a kind of rock into another kind. 

1. A type of rock called magma gets melted at extremely high temperatures at a depth of the earth's core. 

2. This magma is pushed to the surface of the earth during extreme volcanic eruptions. The magma at the earth's crust cools down and crystallizes to form igneous rock. The igneous rock can be distinguished into various types depending on the chemical reactions and the processes that they endure.

3. A pegmatite is a form of igneous rock having a very coarse texture. Aquamarine is usually formed in granite pegmatites that are enriched with minerals. 

4. Certain cavities are formed within the igneous rock, where the water trapped in the magma becomes concentrated. The small crystals start to extend in these cavities. These crystals grow in size and are supplied by beryllium that forms beryl.

5. The formation of silicate-based minerals is a prolonged process that lasts for several thousand to even millions of years.

It is also formed in carbonate veins and cavities that are mineralized by hydrothermal processes.

When the igneous rock retaining aquamarine is encountered with erosion and weathering, the aquamarine gets exceptionally hardened, causing it to persist in stream sediments and overlying soils.

Synthetic Process

Aquamarines are synthetically manufactured in laboratories employing a hydrothermal growth technique. 

1. In this process, beryl, along with other components, is provided with extreme temperature and pressure conditions that ultimately result in the formation of an aquamarine stone alternative to its natural existence.

2. The hydrothermal growth technique is implemented in a crucible. A crucible is a pressure-resistant, sealed container. A coating of gold or platinum is being applied to the inner walls of the crucible. 

3. It is then filled with water and the minerals required for the formation of aquamarine, including silica, beryllium oxide, and aluminum oxide. 

4. Traces of iron or derivatives are also introduced to give characteristic shades to the synthetic gem similar to the natural stone. 

However, nickel, cobalt, and copper are also used as dyeing agents in these artificially produced stones. These coloring agents are not present in the naturally obtained aquamarine.

Most importantly, a natural or synthesized crystal of beryl is then immersed in the crucible. The crucible is provided with optimized atmospheric conditions. It requires an extremely high temperature somewhere between 371 to 593° C and intense pressure inside the container. 

At this point, the minerals break down into their molecular components. Beryl leads the formation of aquamarine synthetically from its components.

Synthetic aquamarine is much cheaper and is exactly identical to naturally occurring aquamarine. A microscopic examination is used to distinguish synthetic aquamarine from naturally occurring aquamarine. 

Multiphase inclusions and characteristic mineral inclusions are also commonly used to identify natural aquamarine. 

Exciting Shapes of the Gem

The naturally occurring aquamarine has a hexagonal crystal lattice with highly varied sizes from small to larger ones, even up to 100 lbs.

Usually, with the increase of the size of the stone, the strength of the color also enriches.

Aquamarines can be polished in any shape but mostly attain oval or roundly cut brilliants. Domed-shaped polished are the common ornamental gems. Kite, pear, and rectangular cabochons are widely available.

The hardness, transparency, and unique color make it popular among gem sculptors to be used for fashioning jewelry and ornamental objects.

 

The world's largest aquamarine is called 'Dom Pedro,' which acquires an obelisk-like shape with exceptional crisscrossed diagonal detailing. It was found in Brazil that weighs around 244 lbs with a diameter of 38 cm.

Spiritual Aspect of Aquamarine

Aquamarine is directly associated with the sea or ocean with respect to its apparent beauty. It signifies the crystal purity of blue seawater with respective dimensions and pensive deepness. 

Spiritually, the gem symbolizes the expressions of happiness, love, forgiveness, peace, beauty, and empathy. It brings the waves of calm and satisfaction to one's inner, improving its sense of well-being.

 Aquamarine is called to be a healing stone for its physical as well as mental afflictions. It is thought to have a healing power to cure stress and physiological and spiritual disturbance as well.

Importance of Aquamarine 

Aquamarine is a birthstone for people born in March, ruled by Neptune. The aquamarine jewelry is popular not only among Pisceans but in all others due to its exceptional benefits:

1. It lessens the feelings of disappointment and boosts emotional strength bringing hopefulness to one's life.

2. It is worn by sailors or people who overcome deadly challenges in their everyday life as a means to provide them protection against sudden disasters.

3. The mystical gem boosts the confidence level and brings the courage to overcome life challenges.

4. The stone stimulates the intentions of love, loyalty, and faithfulness in one's inners.

5. It is found to be a powerful gem that aids mediation and increases consciousness with high energy levels.

6. Apart from its spiritual and psychological attributes, the gem is equally beneficial for physical health. It helps in maintaining oral hygiene and specifically relieves throat afflictions, including throat pain, chronic tonsillitis, etc. 

7. It is also used to treat stomach and liver disorders, and swollen glands improve the circulation of blood, and regulate hormone levels.

8. The healing gem possesses superior eye care properties. At an early age, it was evident that powdered aquamarine was used to cure several eye problems.

9. The precious stone is thought to impact financial conditions, relationships, and several other aspects of its wearer's life.

Besides its incredible benefits, the gemstone is unprecedented in its beauty. Its color is the price-determining factor while carat size is an inconsequential factor. 

Hardness is the property of the gem that enables it to resist scratching. Aquamarine has 7.5 to 8 of Mohs hardness, which makes it one of the strongest occurring gems. 

Conclusion 

By virtue of its durability and beauty, aquamarine is popularly used in fashioning jewelry, specifically rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, crowns, etc. Every gem sculptor must have dealt with a variety of aquamarine gemstones based on their size and color.

The splendid pale blue crystal not only beautifies the look of its wearer but intensifies the wearer's spiritual, physical, and mental health, optimizes the view, and provides the intention of being safe, loved, and trusted.

It is not much pricy while having diamond-like brilliance. It is popularly being called a poor man's diamond owing to its beauty and abundance.

On account of its incredible nature and fascinating beauty, aquamarine is a gem that must be tried once, at least, for having an essence of spirituality and for ensuring your protection as believed.