Aquamarine

Aquamarine, the March birthstone, is the blue variety of the mineral beryl. This gemstone has been popular for centuries, but received new vigor during the early 1970's. As a result, the price has remained stable or has increased even during recessionary times.

Beryl occurs in a wide variety of colors, each with a gem name. Dark green beryl is known as emerald, and colorless, peach, pink and yellow varieties have all been cut as gems. Unfortunately the only well-publicized varieties are aquamarine and emerald. Names such as heliodor (golden beryl), goshenite (colorless) and morganite (pink, peach beryl) have no commercial significance. Of course, this situation may well change with time. Aquamarine occurs in all parts of the world, but Brazil is overwhelmingly the major source. Some very dark blue aquamarine is also being mined in India. Twenty years ago the demand for aqua was small, and the material was quite inexpensive. Today the finest gems may wholesale for well over $1,000 per carat.

Fine quality aquamarine in sizes over 10 carats is not abundant. Commercial stones tend to be pale blue or blue-green, while investment-grade material is blue, and of a medium to dark tone. The pervasive demand for aquamarine in the jewelry marketplace, however, indicates that all grades can ultimately be used for adornment and provides an excellent secondary market potential.