Aquamarine

Aquamarine
Aquamarine is the second-most-popular gem beryl and is the birthstone for the month of March. Like emerald, its identity is defined by its color. Aquamarine has a distinct greenish blue to blue color. Unlike emerald, light-colored stones in this color range are still called aquamarine. The stones that are richly colored are the most desirable, and the stones with a very pale color are made into inexpensive jewelry.

Aquamarine differs from emerald in another way - it normally has far fewer inclusions and fractures. Most of the aquamarine seen in mall jewelry stores is usually eye clean and without visible fractures.

The color of aquamarine can usually be improved by heating. Most stones entering the retail market have been heated. Many of the greenish blue stones offered for sale were distinctly bluish green or even yellow beryl before treatment. this was made by, Geology.com! this image is by, Leibish! {| class="wikitable"
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Physical Properties of Beryl

 * Chemical Classification
 * Silicate
 * Color
 * Green, yellow, blue, red, pink, orange, colorless
 * Streak
 * Colorless (harder than the streak plate)
 * Luster
 * Vitreous
 * Diaphaneity
 * Translucent to transparent
 * Cleavage
 * Imperfect
 * Mohs Hardness
 * 7.5 to 8
 * Specific Gravity
 * 2.6 to 2.8
 * Diagnostic Properties
 * Crystals are prismatic with flat terminations, hexagonal, and without striations. Hardness and relatively low specific gravity.
 * Chemical Composition
 * Be3Al2Si6O18
 * Crystal System
 * Hexagonal (occurs in prismatic to tabular crystals)
 * Uses
 * Gemstones, a minor ore of beryllium.
 * }
 * Diagnostic Properties
 * Crystals are prismatic with flat terminations, hexagonal, and without striations. Hardness and relatively low specific gravity.
 * Chemical Composition
 * Be3Al2Si6O18
 * Crystal System
 * Hexagonal (occurs in prismatic to tabular crystals)
 * Uses
 * Gemstones, a minor ore of beryllium.
 * }
 * Uses
 * Gemstones, a minor ore of beryllium.
 * }