Aquamarine is a blue to green mineral variety of beryl, and is found mainly in granite pegmatites in locations across the world. In Brazil, which is the largest known source, it is commonly found in Minas Gerais, Espirito Santo, Bahia, Goias, and Maranhao states.
It is also found in China, Madagascar, Mozambique, Zambia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and other locations. Aquamarine is typically found in clusters with other beryl varieties such as morganite, heliodor, and golden beryl.
It can also be found in alluvial deposits, which occur when it has been washed away from the main source by moving water.
Where is the place to find aquamarine?
Aquamarine is a popular gemstone known for its distinctive blue-green color. It can be found in a variety of locations around the world, but the primary sources of aquamarine are mines in Brazil, India, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique and Nigeria.
Other areas that may contain this gemstone are Pakistan, Afghanistan, Colombia, Namibia, Russia and Sri Lanka. Aquamarine can also be found in the US, particularly in North Carolina and Virginia. In addition, it is often collected in beach and river gravels, where water has naturally eroded away the Earth to uncover hidden gems.
Aquamarine is not particularly hard to find, however, the largest pieces tend to be quite pricey.
Is aquamarine hard to find?
It can depend on where you look to find aquamarine. Generally it is not considered a rare gemstone, and it is widely available in jewelry stores and online. Prices can range depending on the quality and size of the gemstone, and some unusual colors or shapes are more difficult to find.
Certain areas in countries like Brazil, Zambia, India, and Nigeria are known for producing high quality aquamarine gemstones, so if you are looking for a higher quality gemstone, seeking out these sources may be beneficial.
How much is a piece of aquamarine worth?
The cost of aquamarine stones can vary greatly based on size, clarity, and quality. Generally, a single cut, half-carat aquamarine stone can run anywhere between $30 and $300 depending on the quality of the stone.
Larger, higher clarity aquamarine stones can fetch prices much higher, often up to a few thousand dollars. It is important to note that the exact cost of an aquamarine stone is always determined by an expert in lapidary who can measure its quality accurately.
Is aquamarine more rare than blue topaz?
No, blue topaz is typically more rare than aquamarine. Aquamarine is a light blue to bluish-green variety of beryl gemstones, which are quite abundant in parts of the world. Blue topaz, on the other hand, is the rarest of the four most popular varieties of topaz, which also includes golden, imperial and pink topaz.
Blue topaz is difficult to find in large sizes, and because of its rarity, it can cost quite a bit more than aquamarine.
Is aquamarine an expensive crystal?
Aquamarine is a relatively affordable crystal, when compared to other precious stones. It is known for its light blue-green hue and is commonly used in jewellery. The value of aquamarine is largely dependant on the clarity, size and the intensity of colour.
Small and medium sized stones may range in price from $30-$125 per carat depending on the quality, while large stones of good quality range up to $450 per carat. Therefore, aquamarine is generally not an expensive crystal, although rarer and higher quality pieces can be more expensive.
What country has the most aquamarine?
Brazil is believed to have been the original source of aquamarine when it was discovered in the 16th century. Since then, aquamarine has been mined primarily in Brazil, Pakistan, Zambia, Madagascar, Tanzania, Namibia, Nigeria and Mozambique.
Due to its abundance and distribution, Brazil is most likely the country with the largest quantities of aquamarine, although exact figures are not available. Today, Brazilian aquamarine is known for its exceptionally high quality and is some of the most sought-after aquamarine in the world.
In addition to Brazil, Zambia is also known for producing some of the finest aquamarine, with the country’s mines producing stunningly clear and vivid stones. Other top sources of aquamarine include Nigeria, Pakistan, Madagascar and Tanzania.
Where can I dig for aquamarine in the US?
The best places to dig for aquamarine in the US are in North Carolina, California, Maine, Colorado, and Idaho. In North Carolina, the best place to search for aquamarine is the Emerald Hollow Mine in Hiddenite, which is the only emerald mine in the United States.
This mine is known for having quality specimens of aquamarine. In California, the mines at Benitoite Gem Mine, Himalaya Mine, and Gem Mine offer aquamarine specimens. Maine is home to Mt Mica, a mine well-known for the blue-green varieties of aquamarine found in its pockets of mica-schist.
Colorado is another great place to search for aquamarine, with Sweet Home Mine in Alma, Utah noted for its fine gemstones. Finally, the Emerald Creek Garnet Area in Idaho is also known for its aquamarine specimens.
In most of these mines, visitors can take an underground tour and prospect for aquamarine crystal fragments. It is important to ensure that these activities are done safely, by becoming familiar with the local regulations and obtaining proper permits.
How rare is an aquamarine?
Aquamarine is actually quite a common gemstone. With the ubiquity of stone mining, having access to natural aquamarine is easier than many other precious gems. The rarity of aquamarine is not necessarily related to how much of the gemstone is available in natural form, but instead depends on the color, clarity, and size of the stone.
In general, the best aquamarine gems are those that are deep blue and lack any inclusions that would detract from the clarity. In particular, large stones that are over 10 carats and are a deep blue with no inclusions are more rare and valuable compared to stones that have a light blue hue or inclusions.
Aquamarines sourced from certain locations may also be more valuable due to their reputation. For example, those from Brazil and Nigeria may be more expensive than others.
What is the rarest gemstone?
The rarest gemstone is called Painite, a complex borate mineral. First discovered in Myanmar in the 1950s, Painite is an extremely rare gemstone composed of calcium, boron, and oxygen. It is believed that there may only be a few hundred specimens of this gemstone in existence, making it one of the rarest stones in the world.
With warm, golden colors ranging from light to dark orange-brown, the color of Painite is quite unique and its appearance can be compared to that of a dark, honey-toned topaz. Painite is a relatively new entrant in the gem world, as its rarity makes it difficult to source and create jewelry from it.
As such, it is highly sought-after among collectors and enthusiasts of rare and valuable gemstones.