The Colour of the Sea
Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin for "sea water," and its calm blue to blue-green colour lives up to it. It's a member of the beryl family — the same mineral group as emerald — and Sri Lanka produces clean, attractive aquamarines. With a hardness of 7.5–8, it wears well in jewellery.
Aquamarine and Its Famous Cousins
Beryl is colourless when pure; trace elements create the family's gems:
- Aquamarine — blue/blue-green (iron)
- Emerald — green (chromium/vanadium)
- Morganite — pink
- Heliodor — yellow
What Affects Value
- Colour — a deeper, pure blue is most prized; many stones are pale, and pale material is affordable.
- Clarity — aquamarine is usually wonderfully clean and transparent.
- Cut & carat — beryl crystals can be large, so big clean stones are available.
- Treatment — gentle heat is sometimes used to push green-blue toward pure blue.
Care Tip
Aquamarine is durable but can chip on hard knocks; clean with warm soapy water and keep away from prolonged strong heat that could fade colour.
See the Source
Browse Ratnapura accommodation and the Island of Gems overview.