Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a popular blue gemstone known for its beautiful light blue/greenish blue hues. Its beauty and rarity make it an excellent gemstone for collecting or jewelry making. Aquamarine can be mined in many countries including Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, China, Myanmar, Russia, Ukraine, and the United States.

Aquamarine is one of the official March birthstones. The word aquamarine comes from the Latin word for seawater, which describes aquamarine's beautiful greenish-blue hues. Aquamarines are said to give people protection against enemies, as well as increased intellect.  Aquamarine is a variety of Beryl, which means it is a cousin of emerald and morganite.

Aquamarine's value can vary based on color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. A low quality, dime-sized aquamarine with pale color, visible inclusions, and poor cutting can cost around $100, while a similar sized aquamarine with high color saturation, no visible inclusions, and perfectly symmetrical cutting can cost around $2,000!