Room I · Collection

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, the same mineral as emerald, coloured by traces of iron. At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale it is hard enough for everyday wear, and its clarity is often exceptional.

Birthstone for March3 pieces in this room

Santa Maria Aquamarine1.71 ct · Cushion cut · Santa Maria · $150Rs 41,500

Mineral: Beryl
Hardness: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale
Colour from: Traces of iron
Found in: Brazil, Mozambique, Madagascar and Pakistan
Treatment: Heating is common, and we disclose it

Reading the colour

The deeper the blue, the more it’s valued.

Colour is what sets one aquamarine apart from another: the deeper and purer the blue, the more it is valued. "Santa Maria" is the trade name for the most saturated blue, after the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil where it was first found. Heating to remove a greenish tint is common practice, and we disclose it wherever it applies.

Greenishoften heated to clear itLight blueDeeper blueSanta Mariathe most saturated

Where it comes from

Where the blue comes from.

Important sources include Brazil, Mozambique, Madagascar and Pakistan, where the pegmatites of Skardu and Shigar produce well-formed crystals prized by collectors. This collection brings together faceted aquamarine and natural crystal specimens.