The gemstone family of BERYL may not be familiar everyone, but members of this popular gem family certainly are. Both aquamarine and emerald are members of the beryl family and are amongst the most prized gemstones on the market today. In addition, the beryl family includes other colorful gemstones including morganite (pink or peach), heliodor (yellow or greenish yellow), goshenite (colorless) and the very rare bixbite or red beryl. Beryl is mined all over the world including here in the United States. Morganite was discovered in Southern California and is named for J. Pierpont Morgan, a wealthy gem collector. Goshenite gets its name from Goshen, Massachusetts where it was discovered. Unfortunately, the Massachusetts supply of goshenite was mined out many years ago and is now only found in other parts of the globe such as in Brazil. The most famous deposit of the valuable red beryl was discovered in the Wah Wah mountains of Utah.

Beryl has been mined since ancient times and it was reportedly used as eyeglass lenses in Ancient Rome and as the emerald lens that Emperor Nero viewed gladiator fights with. Ancient legends suggest that aquamarine was the treasure of the mermaids and that seahorses carried these beautiful stones from the treasure chests to the inhabited shores where humans could find them. Aquamarine, which literally means "sea water", is the gem that evokes the beauty of the sea. For hundreds of years, aquamarine has been used as a talisman of safety for those who traveled the oceans.

Like the sea, aquamarine comes in multiple shades of blue and green. In previous centuries the sea-green shade of aqua was the most desirable. Today the sky blue shade is most popular. Like the emerald, aquamarine has been in such high demand for so many years that it is harder to find quality stones that are not costly.

Aquamarine beads can be found in a range of shapes from rough opaque nuggets to delicate faceted briolettes. Aquamarine beads also come in an array of colors from green to blue. Virtually all sky-blue aquamarine beads (that are reasonably-priced) have been heat treated to enhance their color. In addition you will find multi-colored strands of beryl labeled as either "multi beryl" or "multi aqua" depending on the stones that the strand contains.

Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone of March, so now is the perfect time to make a birthday present for a friend or to treat yourself! Aquamarine is the perfect compliment for this spring's bright pastels. Come in and see us soon!

Sources:
Color Encyclopedia of Gemstones by Joel E. Arem; Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. ©1987
Gems - A Lively Guide for the Casual Collector by Daniel J. Dennis Jr.; Harry N. Abrams Inc. ©1999
Gemstones: Symbols of Beauty and Power by Eduard Josef Gübelin; Geoscience Press ©2000