Beryl – Aquamarine

Description:

Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral species beryl (BARE-ul); hexagonal crystal system. Aquamarine (Latin—water of the sea) is so named because of its dark blue is the most desired color. The coloring agent is iron. The most important deposits are in Brazil, other deposits of some commercial significance are in Australia (Queensland), Burma (Myanmar), China, India, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the United States.

Appearance:

• transparent; if highly included, may be translucent
• greenish blue to blue-green, generally light in tone

Identification:

Refractive Index: 1.577-1.583 (+-.017)
Absorption Spectra: indistinct lines at 537 and 456 nm, and a strong line at 427 nm
depending on the depth of color. 
Cause of Color: iron
Specific Gravity: 2.72 (+.18, -.05) 
Hardness: 7 1/2 to 8 ; Toughness: good

Stone Information from:

Gem Reference Guide, by GIA, ISBN 0-87311-019-6
Gemstones of the world, Third Edition, by Walter Schumann, ISBN 1-4027-4016-6
https://www.gemdat.org/gem-289.html
https://www.mindat.org/min-289.html