Archive:Aquamarine: Difference between revisions
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'''Aquamarine''' (Lat. ''aqua marina'', "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 in addition to blue, yellow beryl ([[heliodor]]), rose pink beryl ([[morganite]]), [[red beryl]] (formerly bixbite), and white beryl ([[goshenite]]) are also to be found. | |||
==Composition== | |||
Aquamarine is a beryl with a [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|hexagonal]] [[crystal structure]] and a [[chemical formula]] of Be<sub>3</sub>Al<sub>2</sub>(<nowiki>SiO</nowiki><sub>3</sub>)<sub>6</sub>, 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. | |||
Aquamarine is a beryl with a [[Hexagonal (crystal system)|hexagonal]] crystal structure and a chemical formula of Be<sub>3</sub>Al<sub>2</sub> | |||
==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. | 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 [[Brazil]], there are mines in the states of [[Minas Gerais]], [[Espírito Santo]] and [[Bahia]]. Zambia | 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]]. The Mines of [[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. | 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== | ==Culture and historical/mythical usage== | ||
Aquamarine is the [[birthstone]] associated with [[March]]. It is also the gemstone for the 19th Anniversary. | *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]]. | |||
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 == | == See also == | ||
[[Image:Beryl09.jpg|thumb|left|Three Beryl Crystals - Aquamarine rough crystal in the center]] | |||
{{commonscat|Aquamarine}} | |||
* [[List of minerals]] | * [[List of minerals]] | ||
[[Category:Silicate minerals]] | [[Category:Silicate minerals]] | ||
[[Category:Gemstones]] | [[Category:Gemstones]] | ||
[[Category:Symbols of Colorado]] | |||
{{ntnes}} | |||
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Latest revision as of 08:08, 12 June 2009
Aquamarine (Lat. aqua marina, "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 in addition to blue, yellow beryl (heliodor), rose pink beryl (morganite), red beryl (formerly bixbite), and white beryl (goshenite) are also to be found.
Composition
Aquamarine is a beryl with a hexagonal crystal structure and a chemical formula of Be3Al2(SiO3)6, a beryllium aluminium 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 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 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 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. The Mines of 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 bloodstone) is the birthstone associated with 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
