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· Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈ · 7.5 to 8

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, the same mineral as emerald. Its colour comes from traces of iron. It grows in pegmatites, coarse granite veins, and Brazil has long been the main source. Much aquamarine is heated to remove a greenish or yellowish tint and leave a purer blue. The change is permanent and widely accepted. Aquamarine is hard and fairly tough, so it wears well in rings. The common imitations are blue synthetic spinel, often sold as "lab aquamarine spinel", and glass.

From the ground to your hand

The same stone at four moments. Tap a photo of a listing to see it on Amazon.

  1. 01 In the ground (step 1 of 4)

    An aquamarine crystal still in its granite pegmatite, with quartz and feldspar.

    An aquamarine crystal still in its granite pegmatite, with quartz and feldspar.

    Real specimen. Photo: James St. John, CC BY 2.0.

  2. 02 Raw (step 2 of 4)

    An extra-large natural aquamarine rough crystal from Starborn.

    An extra-large natural aquamarine rough crystal from Starborn.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

  3. 03 Cut (step 3 of 4)

    An 8 x 6 mm oval aquamarine, about 1 ct, AAA grade, from Instagem.

    An 8 x 6 mm oval aquamarine, about 1 ct, AAA grade, from Instagem.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

  4. 04 Set (step 4 of 4)

    Nearly 6 carats of aquamarine set in a sterling silver ring by Ross-Simons.

    Nearly 6 carats of aquamarine set in a sterling silver ring by Ross-Simons.

    Amazon listing photo. See it on Amazon

Mineral
Beryl (beryllium aluminium silicate), the same species as emerald
Colour from
Traces of iron; greenish stones are often heated to a purer blue
Hardness
7.5 to 8, good for everyday rings
Grown in labs?
Synthetic aquamarine has been made but is rarely seen. "Lab aquamarine" in shops is usually synthetic spinel or glass
Main sources
Brazil (Minas Gerais), Mozambique, Madagascar, Nigeria, Pakistan, Namibia

Famous aquamarine in museums

What the finest natural stones look like: real pieces in public collections. The whole gem museum.

Aquamarine, blue sapphire and diamond necklace: Made by Ernesto Moreira in Houston in 2006: 224.47 carats of aquamarines with 6.39 carats of blue sapphires and 6.29 carats of diamonds, set in white gold.
Aquamarine, blue sapphire and diamond necklaceMade by Ernesto Moreira in Houston in 2006: 224.47 carats of aquamarines with 6.39 carats of blue sapphires and 6.29 carats of diamonds, set in white gold.Houston Museum of Natural Science, TexasErnesto Moreira necklace and earrings with 224.47 carats of aquamarines, Houston Museum of Natural Science.Photo: Ed Uthman, CC BY 2.0.
A 15,256 carat aquamarine from Minas Gerais: A large aquamarine from Minas Gerais, Brazil, labelled at 15,256 carats in the Smithsonian gem hall.
A 15,256 carat aquamarine from Minas GeraisA large aquamarine from Minas Gerais, Brazil, labelled at 15,256 carats in the Smithsonian gem hall.Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.A 15,256 carat aquamarine from Minas Gerais, Brazil, in the Smithsonian gem hall.Photo: thisisbossi, CC BY-SA 2.0.

Natural aquamarine vs the stones sold as "lab aquamarine"

Mined and lab-grown aquamarine are the same mineral; this is what differs
Natural aquamarineSynthetic spinel
What it isBlue beryl mined from pegmatitesA man-made crystal of a different mineral, coloured blue
ColourPale to medium sea blue; deeper blue is rarerVery even, often a little too saturated
Tell-tale signFaint blue-to-colourless shift as you turn it; natural No colour shift as you turn it; no doubling
PriceRoughly $50 to several hundred dollars a carat; large clean stones moreA few dollars to tens of dollars
How it is listedSays natural or genuine aquamarine, gives size and weight"Lab grown aquamarine spinel", "aquamarine color", "created"

Read the full title. Big sellers mark imitations: one listing reads "Lab Grown Aquamarine Spinel", and others say "Created Aquamarine" or "Simulated Aquamarine". A real aquamarine listing says natural or genuine and names the size. A 10 carat "certified" aquamarine for under $40 from an unknown seller should make you careful: ask what the certificate is and who issued it.

Treatments. Heating is the usual treatment: many aquamarines are heated to remove a green or yellow component and leave a cleaner blue. It is permanent, stable and generally cannot be detected, so treat any blue aquamarine as possibly heated. Some lower-grade material is fracture-filled. Clean with warm soapy water; ultrasonic cleaners are usually fine for clean stones but risky for included ones. All gem treatments explained.

Where natural aquamarine comes from

Pins mark mining districts, not exact mines. Drag to move, pinch or scroll to zoom, tap a pin to read about it. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.

List of every place on the map (6)
  • Aquamarine: Minas Gerais (Teófilo Otoni, Santa Maria de Itabira, Virgem da Lapa), Brazil. The classic aquamarine region, with many pegmatite mines. Home of the Santa Maria name and of the crystal that became the Dom Pedro. Position approximate.
  • Aquamarine: Zambezia Province pegmatites, Mozambique. Source of deep blue stones sold as Santa Maria Africa. Position approximate.
  • Aquamarine: Shigar and Braldu valleys, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. High-mountain pegmatites that give sharp, clear crystals, including those from Nyet Bruk. Position approximate.
  • Aquamarine: Erongo Mountains, Namibia. A granite range known for aquamarine crystals with black schorl tourmaline. Position approximate.
  • Aquamarine: Mount Antero, Colorado, USA. High-altitude aquamarine locality; aquamarine is the Colorado state gemstone.
  • Aquamarine: Madagascar, Madagascar. Pegmatites in the central highlands produce aquamarine and other beryls. Position approximate.

How it is cut

Lab aquamarine is mostly machine-cut in calibrated sizes, which is why a cut lab stone costs little more than its rough. Fine mined stones are often native-cut to keep weight, then recut by precision cutters. See cuts from easiest to hardest and whether cutting your own is cheaper than buying cut.

What to buy

Checked in stock on October 10, 2026. Photos are the listings' own; prices are rounded.

Reading a gem listingGem treatments

The aquamarine shop: 18 more pieces we trust

Every piece names the real stone and comes from a seller with a record, checked in stock on October 11, 2026. Photos are the listings' own; prices are rounded.

Loose stones41.15 ctInstagem aquamarine, emerald cut, 22 x 16 mm, 41.15 ctA single stone over 40 carats: the big-piece end of real aquamarine.about $3,400on Amazon →Loose stones1.05 to 1.45 ctInstagem aquamarine, round, 7 mm, about 1.05 to 1.45 ct, AAAabout $275on Amazon →Loose stonesInstagem aquamarine matched pair, emerald cut, 8 x 6 mm, AAATwo matched stones for a pair of earrings.about $275on Amazon →Loose stonesInstagem natural aquamarine, emerald cut, 7 x 5 mm, AAabout $66on Amazon →Loose stonesInstagem natural aquamarine, round, 5 mm, AAA starter-priced real aquamarine.about $55on Amazon →Raw and tumbledStarborn natural aquamarine rough crystal, extra large, 1 pieceabout $80on Amazon →Raw and tumbledCrocon aquamarine rough stones, 1 lbOpaque, cloudy rough: real beryl, but not gem quality.about $21on Amazon →BeadsJustinstones natural aquamarine faceted beads, 4 mm, 16 in strandabout $13on Amazon →BeadsJoe Foreman natural aquamarine chip beads, 6 to 8 mm, 34 in strandabout $9on Amazon →Jewellery1.00 ctRoss-Simons 1.00 ct total aquamarine stud earrings with diamond accents, sterling silverabout $130on Amazon →JewelleryRoss-Simons 12 mm aquamarine drop earrings, 14kt yellow goldabout $115on Amazon →Jewellery9.00 ctRoss-Simons 9.00 ct total graduated aquamarine necklace, sterling silverabout $400on Amazon →

Your kit for aquamarine

Five tools that let you check what you bought (a loupe, a UV torch, locking tweezers, a gem box and a pocket scale), plus a turntable that spins your stone under the light the way jewellers show one. The full collector's kit.

LookGemOro 10x triplet loupeunder $20LookDARKBEAM filtered 365 nm UV flashlightabout $10HandleHonoson locking tweezers, 3 packabout $10StoreTeensery gem display boxes with clear lids, 10 packabout $9ShowComXim motorized turntable, adjustable speed and directionabout $15MeasureGemOro Platinum XP500 pocket scale, 0.01 gabout $40

In short

Aquamarine grows over millions of years in the earth, or in hours to months in a lab. Both are real aquamarine; the mined stone is rare and priced for rarity, the lab stone is priced for the cost of growing it. Buy lab to wear and enjoy, check the listing names the mineral, and test it when it arrives.

See our first pick: Instagem aquamarine, oval, 8 x 6 mm, about 1 ct, AAA

Frequently Asked Questions

Is aquamarine the same mineral as emerald?

Yes. Both are beryl. Emerald is green from chromium or vanadium; aquamarine is blue from iron. Other beryls include morganite (pink) and heliodor (yellow).

Is aquamarine heat treated?

Often. Greenish beryl is commonly heated to give a purer blue. The result is permanent and accepted in the trade, and it usually cannot be detected.

Is there lab-grown aquamarine?

Synthetic aquamarine has been grown, but it is rarely sold. Most "lab aquamarine" on shopping sites is blue synthetic spinel or glass, which are different materials.

Is aquamarine good for an engagement ring?

It is one of the better choices among coloured stones: 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and fairly tough. It can still chip from a hard knock, so a protective setting helps.

What is Santa Maria aquamarine?

A trade name for deep, saturated blue aquamarine, first named after the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. It is now also used for similar stones from Africa, so the name alone does not prove where a stone came from.

What is the biggest cut aquamarine?

The Dom Pedro, about 10,363 carats, cut as an obelisk from a single Brazilian crystal. It is in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.

Photo credits

  • aquamarine-in-pegmatitic-granite-1-49052222392.webp: James St. John, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
  • Product photos: Amazon listings, via the Amazon Product Advertising (Creators) API.

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