Archive:Aquamarine

2008-09-22T03:10:29Z

67.8.25.54: /* References */

{{otheruses1|the mineral}}
{{Infobox mineral
| name = Aquamarine
| category = [[beryl]] variety
| boxwidth =
| boxbgcolor =
| image = Aquamarin cut.jpg
| imagesize = 250
| caption = Aquamarine
| formula = Be3Al2Si6O18<ref name="GRG"/>
| molweight =
| color = transparent (or can be translucent if included), greenish blue to blue green, typically light in tone<ref name="GRG">[[Gemological Institute of America]], ''GIA Gem Reference Guide'' 1995, ISBN:0-87311-019-6</ref>
| habit =
| system = [[hexagonal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| twinning =
| cleavage = very difficult in one direction, almost never seen<ref name="GRG"/>
| fracture = [[conchoidal]]<ref name="GRG"/>
| mohs = 7.5 - 8<ref name="GRG"/>
| luster = [[vitreous]] to resinous<ref name="GRG"/>
| polish = [[vitreous]] <ref name="GRG"/>
| refractive = 1.577 - 1.583 (+/- .017)<ref name="GRG"/>
| opticalprop = Double refractive, uniaxial negative<ref name="GRG"/>
| birefringence = .005 - .009<ref name="GRG"/>
| dispersion = .014<ref name="GRG"/>
| pleochroism = weak to moderate, blue and greenish blue; or different tones of blue with lighter tones associated with the optic axis direction <ref name="GRG"/>
| fluorescence= inert<ref name="GRG"/>
| absorption = indistinct lines at 537 and 456nm. Depending on the depth of color, there is a strong line at 427nm.<ref name="GRG"/>
| streak =
| gravity = 2.72 (+.18, -.05)<ref name="GRG"/>
| density =
| melt =
| fusibility =
| diagnostic =
| solubility =
| diaphaneity =
| other =
}}
'''Aquamarine''' (Lat. ''aqua marinā'', "water of the sea") is a [[gemstone]]-quality transparent variety of [[beryl]], having a delicate blue or [[turquoise]] color, suggestive of the tint of [[seawater]]. It is closely related to the gem [[emerald]]. Colors vary and yellow beryl ([[heliodor]]), rose pink beryl ([[morganite]]), and white beryl ([[goshenite]]) are known.

==Composition==
Aquamarine is a beryl with a [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|hexagonal]] [[crystal structure]] and a [[chemical formula]] of Be3Al2(<nowiki>SiO</nowiki>3)6, a [[beryllium]] [[aluminium]] [[Silicate minerals|silicate mineral]]. It has a [[specific gravity]] of 2.68 to 2.74 and a [[Mohs hardness]] of from 7.5 to 8. Aquamarine typically is on the low end of the specific gravity range, normally at less than 2.7. The pink variety exhibits a high specific gravity of around 2.8. [[Refractive index|Refractive indices]] range around 1.57 to 1.58.

==Locations of deposits==
It occurs at most localities which yield ordinary beryl, some of the finest coming from [[Russia]]. The gem-gravel [[Placer mining|placer]] deposits of [[Sri Lanka]] contain aquamarine. Clear yellow beryl, such as occurs in [[Brazil]], is sometimes called aquamarine chrysolite. When [[corundum]] presents the bluish tint of typical aquamarine, it is often termed Oriental aquamarine.

In the [[United States]], aquamarines can be found at the summit of [[Mount Antero|Mt. Antero]] in the [[Sawatch Range]] in central [[Colorado]]. In Wyoming, aquamarine has been discovered in the [[Big Horn mountains]], near Powder River Pass. In [[Brazil]], there are mines in the states of [[Minas Gerais]], [[Espírito Santo]] and [[Bahia]]. [[Colombia]], [[Zambia]], [[Madagascar]], [[Malawi]], [[Tanzania]] and [[Kenya]] also produce aquamarine.

The biggest aquamarine ever mined was found at the city of Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg, and its dimensions were 48.5 cm long and 42 cm in diameter.

==Culture and historical/mythical usage==
*Aquamarine (along with [[Heliotrope (mineral)|bloodstone]]) is the [[birthstone]] associated with [[March (month)|March]]. It is also the gemstone for the 19th Anniversary.
*People in the [[Middle Ages]] thought that aquamarine could magically overcome the effects of [[poison]].
*Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals, believing that it would ensure a safe voyage, and guarantee a safe return; they often slept with the stones under their pillow to ensure sound sleep. They believed the siren’s ([[mermaid]]) fish-like lower body was made of aquamarine.

== See also ==
[[Image:Beryl09.jpg|thumb|left|Three Beryl Crystals - Aquamarine rough crystal in the center]]
{{commonscat|Aquamarine}}
* [[List of minerals]]
{{-}}

== References ==
<references/>
* Weinstein, Michael, 1958, ''The World of Jewel Stones'' Sheriden House, New York, pp 104-107
* Diamond Bug. [http://diamondbug.blogspot.com/2006/03/flawless-aquamarine-march-birthstone.html "Flawless Aquamarine: March Birthstone"]. Retrieved March 16, 2006.
*http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/aquamarine.html
*http://mineral.galleries.com/minerals/gemstone/aquamari/aquamari.htm
*http://www.mindat.org/min-289.html
*http://aquamarine.com/gemology/how-the-aquamarine-gets-its-color/
{{-}}
{{Jewellery Materials}}

[[Category:Silicate minerals]]
[[Category:Gemstones]]
[[Category:Symbols of Colorado]]

[[bg:Аквамарин]]
[[cs:Akvamarín]]
[[da:Akvamarin]]
[[de:Aquamarin]]
[[et:Akvamariin]]
[[es:Aguamarina]]
[[eu:Akuamarina]]
[[fr:Aigue-marine]]
[[gl:Augamariña]]
[[he:אקוומרין]]
[[la:Aquamarina]]
[[lv:Akvamarīns]]
[[lt:Akvamarinas]]
[[nl:Aquamarijn]]
[[ja:アクアマリン]]
[[no:Akvamarin]]
[[pl:Akwamaryn]]
[[pt:Água-marinha]]
[[ro:Acvamarin]]
[[ru:Аквамарин]]
[[sl:Akvamarin (kamen)]]
[[sr:Аквамарин]]
[[fi:Akvamariini]]
[[sv:Akvamarin]]
[[vi:Ngọc berin]]
[[tr:Akuamarin]]
[[uk:Аквамарин]]

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Archive:Aquamarine