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March - AquamarineAquamarine's soft and warm texture is pastel blue. The darker the color, the more prized it is. Like the ones we search the world for. You'll never see aquamarines darker or more beautiful than at Perrywinkle's.
Think of them as your personal color. Because our gemstones are everything but "monthly." And Perrywinkle's designs aquamarine jewelry starting in the one hundred dollar range.
Aquamarine Education:
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. It is sometimes simply called Aqua and has colors ranging from lightest sky-blue to the rich blue of the sea. You will rarely see aquamarines as deep blue and lively as ones at Perrywinkle's.
It is related to Emerald, since both belong to the gemstone family beryl. Aquamarine usually has small inclusions, however the ones at Perrywinkle's will have none or ones so small you'd need a microscope to see them. They have a reasonably good hardness (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs' scale) , which make them pretty resistant to scratching. Microscopic iron particles create its color. Its shades of blue range from almost colorless pale blue (like chain stores have) through bright sea blue (like Perrywinkle's has). The more intense the color, the higher its value. Some Aquamarines show a slightly greenish hue - but you'd only notice if placed next to a purer blue one. Pure and clear blue, like at Perrywinkle's, brings out a vivid transparency and high luster.
The shade of Aquamarine at Perrywinkle's is called "Santa Maria", - originally named for the rare and intensely deep colors found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil. Similar colors are also rarely found in Africa. Perrywinkle's carries both since we are more focused on providing an exceptional color at an exceptional price rather than a specific origin. Perrywinkle's designs and creates rings, bracelets, earrings, and pendants in Aquamarine. Prices start at about $100 and go up to about $3000.
Gemology
Aquamarine is the name for light blue beryl. The inclusions in beryl, and aquamarine in particular, are known for having long, hollow tubes. If there are enough of these hollow tubes, cat's eyes or stars can be produced with proper cutting. A cat's eye aquamarine is an extraordinary collectors item. Its coloring is from a trace amount of iron.
Crystal Structure
Crystal system: Hexagonal (trigonal) long prisms.
ORIGIN
South America, Africa.
PROPERTIES
Refractive Index = 1.577to 1.583
Hardness = 7.5 to 8 (Moh's Scale)
Specific Gravity =2.72
Species - Beryl
Optic Character = Double Refraction.
Phenomena - Chatoyancy (Extremely Rare).
Lore
Its color arouses feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony or friendship. It is divine and eternal since it has the color of the skies and water, with its life-giving properties. Lore has it that it will protect sailors on ocean voyages against sea monsters since its origin is in the treasure chest of a legendary mermaid. Its name is from the Latin terms "aqua" meaning water, and "mare" or sea.
If soaked in water it will help ease depression and grief; treat eye troubles, respiratory diseases, and hiccups; and also re-awaken love in long marriages. It also signifies the making of new friends. Carrying or wearing one guarantees marital bliss and wealth.
Care
Ultrasonic: Generally safe.
Steamer: Generally safe. Use some distance to the steam.
Heat: Poor; color change may occur with heat.
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