Loose Aquamarine Gemstones

The market value of fine aquamarine is primarily determined by color intensity, with pure, intense blue specimens commanding premium prices. Clarity is crucial, as eye-clean stones are highly valued. Carat weight follows exponential pricing where larger stones of high quality become significantly more valuable due to their rarity. Origin affects worth, with Brazilian specimens typically more prestigious. Natural, untreated aquamarines generally cost 20-30% more than heat-treated stones, as collectors prize genuine color expression. Finally, precision cutting enhances both brilliance and aesthetic appeal, directly impacting overall value.

Aquamarine offers good durability for everyday wear with a 7.5-8 rating on the Mohs hardness scale. While not as hard as diamonds (10) or sapphires (9), it’s significantly more durable than tanzanite (6.5), opal (5.5-6.5), or pearls (2.5-4.5). This natural hardness makes it resistant to scratching during normal wear. However, aquamarine can be vulnerable to thermal shock and may cleave if struck forcefully, requiring more care than some other precious stones.

The characteristic blue to blue-green coloration in natural aquamarine comes from iron impurities within the beryl crystal structure. The presence of Fe²⁺ ions creates the blue tones, while Fe³⁺ ions contribute greenish hues. The balance of these iron states determines the specific color shade, with the most valuable specimens showing minimal green influence. Many aquamarines exhibit a slightly greenish-blue color when mined, which explains why heat treatment is common to enhance the pure blue tones most buyers prefer.