Aquamarine - What is it, quality and care

Aquamarine is a classic and elegant gemstone known for its light blue to blue-green hues - often with a clear, "ocean-like" look. In jewelry, aquamarine gives a clean, exclusive look that is perfect for both minimalist designs and more timeless statement pieces. Here's a clear guide to aquamarine: what the stone is, how to assess quality and how to best care for it.

What is aquamarine?

Aquamarine is a variant of the mineral beryl (same mineral family as emerald). It gets its blue/blue-green color from natural trace elements and comes in many strengths - from very light ice blue to deeper ocean blue tones. Aquamarine is typically relatively clear, which makes it ideal for faceted cuts where it can get a lot of sparkle.

Aquamarine is often used in:

rings, earrings, pendants and bracelets
faceted grindings (for gloss and light reflection)
cabochon (softer look) - though less common than facets

Colors and expressions of the aquamarine

Aquamarine is especially coveted for its cool, clean color. The look can vary depending on both hue and clarity.

Typical color tones:

very light blue ("ice blue") - discreet and very Scandinavian
teal - soft and natural
medium blue - classic and balanced
deeper ocean blue - more distinctive and often more desirable

A beautiful aquamarine often works clear and clean, with a color that stays beautiful in both daylight and indoor light.

How to assess the quality of aquamarine

When evaluating aquamarine, it makes sense to think about color, clarity, cut and size.

Color

The more intense and smooth the color, the more valuable the stone is typically perceived.
Very bright aquamarines can be super elegant, but appear more discreet.
Deeper blue stones stand out more and can give a more exclusive look.

Clarity

Aquamarine is often quite clear and many stones are eyeballs.
Small inclusions may occur, but in jewelry it is typically an advantage if the stone looks clear in normal light.

Grinding

Faceted grinding is most common and provides beautiful light reflection.
A good sanding can make the color appear more vibrant and give more "sparkle".
A deeper cut can bring out the color, while too shallow a cut can make the stone look "flat".

Size (carat)

Aquamarine comes in many sizes, and larger stones can look very exclusive - especially if the color is good and clarity is high.
Size matters more when the color is clear; very light stones may require a little more size to "pop".

Aquamarine vs. other blue stones

Aquamarine can resemble other light blue stones, but often has a more clear and "pure" beryl look.

Typical alternatives/confusions:

blue topaz: often more "cold" blue and can be very bright and intense
blue sapphire: typically darker and more "sharp" in color
blue chalcedony: often more milky/semi-transparent with a soft glow
turquoise: more opaque and often with veins/patterns
stained glass: may look similar, but has different depth and durability

If you want to be safe, buy from a retailer who is clear about the type of stone and any treatments.

Caring for aquamarine in jewelry

Aquamarine is generally a robust stone for jewelry, but it still benefits from regular, gentle care - especially to avoid scratches and loss of shine.

For everyday use

Remove jewelry when: exercising, cleaning, gardening, showering and swimming
Avoid direct contact with: perfume, hairspray, creams, hand sanitizer and detergents
Store separately so the aquamarine is not scratched by other jewelry

Cleaning and maintenance

Wipe with a soft cloth after use
Clean as needed with lukewarm water + mild soap
Use a soft brush around sockets if there is dirt
Rinse gently and dry completely

Important to avoid

Harsh chemicals and abrasives (can dull the metal and affect the surface)
Ultrasonic/steam cleaning for delicate sockets or combined materials (better safe than sorry)
Hard impacts against worktops/metals (can cause small nicks in edges/facets)

How to style aquamarine

Aquamarine is one of those stones that goes with "everything" - because it is light, clean and elegant. It can be both a neutral and a pop of color.

Good combinations:

silver/rhodium-plated: gives an icy, clean and modern look
white gold: classic and exclusive with light blue stones
gold/gold plated: adds warmth and contrast, especially with blue-green tones
mix with pearls or clear stones: light, elegant and timeless
mix with blue stones in different shades: layered look that still feels calm