How Do You Identify The Crystal Shape Of An Aquamarine?
Aquamarine, Latin for “water of the sea,” is a gemstone-quality variety from the beryl family of minerals (translucent glassy minerals) that is closely related to the emerald. Named as the birthstone for the month of March, aquamarine varies in shade from an almost colorless, clear blue to a slightly deeper shade of blue or blue-green. Usually it is a transparent gemstone but occasionally exhibits the appearance of cat’s eyes or stars in the stone. Aquamarine is hard enough to be scratch-resistant, making it a popular choice for jewelry. Gemstones can be identified by their crystalline structure. The crystal shape of an aquamarine is hexagonal. Familiarize yourself with the physical properties of aquamarine gemstones. Refer to print and online resources for photos and descriptions of the characteristics of aquamarine, such as color, hardness, transparency and the crystal shape or internal structure of this mineral. Make sure the gemstone you have is, in fact, an aquamarine by examining
