When it comes to unique beauty, few pieces can replicate the beauty of aquamarine. But before you make a purchase, there are some things you need to know and consider.
Getting Familiar With Aquamarine Gemstones
Aquamarine, which is named for the Latin phrase that means “water of the sea,” is a blue to blue-green variety of Beryl gemstone. Other Beryl gem varieties include Emerald, Morganite, and Heliodor.
Aquamarine is a fairly common gemstone, but it comes in a wide variety of colors and hues. Lighter colors are pretty affordable for the average consumer, whereas deeper colors can command much higher prices. In certain parts of the world, large transparent crystal masses of Aquamarine have been discovered. These gems weigh thousands of carats and are considered extremely rare and valuable.
One of the neat things about Aquamarine is that, unlike a lot of other gems, it’s often flawless. It’s rare to find visible flaws, which makes this a very attractive option for lots of buyers.
4 Considerations for Aquamarine Jewelry
You’ll find Aquamarine in a variety of engagement rings, necklaces, and even earrings. Here are some things to keep in mind when searching for the right piece for your collection:
1. Shop With the Right Jewelers
Light blue Topaz often gets mistaken for Aquamarine, but these are two totally different gems. Despite having a very similar color, Topaz is a much less expensive gem and is sometimes peddled as genuine Aquamarine by unscrupulous dealers. Thus, it’s always important to know whom you’re buying from.
Certain jewelers have established proud industry reputations for being reliable Aquamarine jewelry vendors. Estate Diamond Jewelry is one of them. Check out their inventory and consider their proven track record.
2. Examine the Four C’s
As with traditional diamonds, it’s helpful to evaluate Aquamarine gems based on the following four C’s:
- Clarity. As previously mentioned, very few of these gems are going to have inclusions that are visible to the eye. Aquamarine is naturally quite clear. Having said that, you should always inspect for any flaws that don’t satisfy your eye.
- Cut. A jeweler can cut an Aquamarine stone into almost any shape you’d like. But if you’re buying one that’s already been cut, you’re most likely to see an emerald cut. Round and oval brilliants are also popular. Generally speaking, more unique cuts are considered rarer and more valuable.
- Carat weight. As you can guess, carat weight has a direct impact on value and appearance. Because of its flawless nature, you can find these gems in massive stones. The larger the stone is, the darker the color will be.
- Color. Color is an especially relevant factor with Aquamarine gems. We’ll discuss even more in the following section. It’s not uncommon to see a four- or five-carat cut in pendants or costume jewelry. Certain luxury rings can even go as high as 12 or 13 carats.
3. Look for Even Colors
When looking at color, try to find Aquamarine gemstones that have an even blue-green color. In other words, you don’t want to see patches of light blue and patches of green. (At least not from a traditional perspective or for resale value.) The more even the color is throughout the gem, the more appealing it is is to collectors and appraisers. But then again, beauty is in the eye of the beholder!
4. Choose the Right Setting
Because of the durable nature of Aquamarine, it must be set in a strong metal that’s able to complement the gem well. Because silver is relatively soft, it’s much more common to go with a white gold or platinum. And depending on the shape, it may be necessary to choose a certain shape setting. A good jeweler will work with you to find the safest setting possible – one that fully protects the stone.
Putting it All Together
Aquamarine jewelry is beautiful, vibrant, and unique. It’s not something that everyone has in their collection, which makes it highly attractive to certain collectors. Whether you want an engagement ring or piece of costume jewelry, there are Aquamarine options waiting for you.
Do your due diligence and don’t make a purchase until you find something you’re fully satisfied with!