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Aquamarine
The very name aquamarine brings to mind the limpid, clear blue tint of the sea. Legend says that Neptune, the King of the Sea, gave aquamarine as gifts to the mermaids and from then on, it has brought love to all who have owned it. This elegant colored gemstone is the birthstone of March and is the symbol of youth, hope, health and fidelity. Aquamarine was long thought to have a soothing influence on married couples, making it a good anniversary gift.
Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl, and is found in a range of blue shades, from the palest pastel to greenish-blue to a deep blue. While the choice of color is largely a matter of taste, the deeper blue gemstones are more rare. Aquamarine is a pastel gemstone, and while color can be quite intense in larger gemstones, the smaller aquamarines are often less vivid. Aquamarines are mined in a number of places including the United States, Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique. Most of the gemstones available on the market today come from Brazil.
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In addition to
the above information from the AGTA and other sources, you
can find facts about these of gems and more at the
"Gems
and Gem Materials"
online course,
through the University of California-Berkeley's Department
of Earth and Planetary Science. The website is available
for the general public, and contains a wealth of
information for the budding gemologist and anyone
interested in learning more about gemstones. Hanna
Cook-Wallace has contributed to this site, which was
developed by Jill Banfield while teaching at the University
of Wisconsin.