AIGS Santa Maria Aquamarine Color Code Certs

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

What do Yo'All think about this?
I think anything that creates extra hype and fun around the wonderful trinket business is a good thing.
When clusters went out of style and much smaller stones were used around center gems and diamonds, simply giving the name HALO created a market and a great new style (everything old is new again).

But I expect there will be nay sayers.

The PRESS RELEASE: AIGS Launches Santa Maria Aquamarine Grading Reports​

The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) launches the Santa Maria color code and grading reports for aquamarine in June 2022 and sets a standard for the trade name.



Most aquamarines are eye clean making color one of the most important value factors. The name of aquamarine comes from the Latin word for “sea water”. The body color ranges from greenish-blue to blue-green, usually in light tone. Many aquamarines in the market have been heat-treated to obtain a rich, intense color, therefore clean, unheated blue aquamarines with good saturation are highly sought after due to their rarity.

The AIGS Santa Maria color code applies to aquamarines, a variety of beryl, with blue color and medium saturation without brown or yellow tints. Aquamarines with low saturation, low clarity and dark tones do not meet the criteria. The trade name originates from the typical color aquamarines from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The legendary mine has produced large quantities of fine color aquamarines, but is now almost depleted. The AIGS code Santa Maria refers to color only and not geographic origin.

Brazil is one of the most important aquamarine sources and the best aquamarines from Brazil have brilliant blue color, high clarity and good crystal forms. Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Myanmar and China also produce aquamarines.

“The launch of the Santa Maria color code is yet another important initiative after launching our Jedi spinel reports last October. Trade names such as Pigeon Blood and Royal Blue have been used for centuries by gem traders to describe ideal colors implying value and rarity. Yet these trade names are often ambiguous with definitions varying between buyers and sellers alike. By transforming trade names into an industry standard through reports graded by third-party objectivity, AIGS aims to reduce such ambiguity,” says Kennedy Ho, Chairman of AIGS.

 

[Karl_K]

I consider it.....a bunch of marketing bs.

 

[Diamond Girl 21]

As a consumer, I like it.

 

[Autumn in New England]

This is a great topic... I have no problem with these types of trade names. I don't think they should be relied too heavily upon, but they can help focus a buyer's search. I'm just not crazy about AIGS in general. They apply the terms "vivid" and "neon" way too liberally, in my experience. So I wouldn't necessarily trust them to properly designate aqua grades either. Just my two beans!

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I consider it.....a bunch of marketing bs.

Quizz question Karl:
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF MARKETING IS BS?

 

[Karl_K]

Quizz question Karl:
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF MARKETING IS BS?

most of it.
The biggest problem is that its not a trade term, its one lab who more likely than not has applied for copyright to the name.
Therefore it can mean whatever they want it to mean and they are the only source for reports stating it.
That makes it marketing BS beyond the norm.

 

[Autumn in New England]

most of it.
The biggest problem is that its not a trade term, its one lab who more likely than not has applied for copyright to the name.
Therefore it can mean whatever they want it to mean and they are the only source for reports stating it.
That makes it marketing BS beyond the norm.

GRS actually uses that trade name too, and it's been around for as long as I can remember.

 

[Karl_K]

GRS actually uses that trade name too, and it's been around for as long as I can remember.

In that case thanks for the correction. When I get a chance im going to research the copyright\tm

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Cant copyright place names and generic already used names.
But given you think most marketing is BS your vote is minimized Karl

 

[Autumn in New England]

In that case thanks for the correction. When I get a chance im going to research the copyright\tm

Sorry, hope you didn't think I was trying to correct you! Just thought it was worth mentioning. I do tend to share your feelings about most marketing tactics.

As a buyer though, I don't mind if a lab I trust weighs in on color grades or categories. It's subjective, of course, but it's always been. Some folks feel like nothing can replace an experienced eye, and some prefer a more scientific or mathematical approach, like the way AGL color grades. In the end, while these trade names are alluring and may serve as a loosely defined guide, we must ultimately judge for ourselves. I know I'm preaching to the choir!

 

[lilmosun]

The trade name originates from the typical color aquamarines from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The legendary mine has produced large quantities of fine color aquamarines, but is now almost depleted. The AIGS code Santa Maria refers to color only and not geographic origin.

I am not a fan of using the name of an origin to designate color. I find it misleading.

Same with vendors calling their non-cuprian tourmalines "Paraiba color". Then there is the debate about the African cuprians (which the industry has ruled can be called Paraibas, although most labs will call them Paraiba-type without origin as AIGS is doing with this color).

To me, the comparison to terms like "pigeon blood" and "royal blue" is not the same because those terms do not suggest origin. Frankly, I find terms like "pigeon blood" and "royal blue" subjective as definitions/testing conditions for color vary from lab to lab.

But it is good marketing as the general public will use such color designations on a lab report as proof of what it is.

 

[Karl_K]

Sorry, hope you didn't think I was trying to correct you! Just thought it was worth mentioning.

Nothing to be sorry about, I "spoke" before I researched and was wrong. I welcome you or anyone else posting the correct info in the cases where I am wrong.

 

[Karl_K]

I am not a fan of using the name of an origin to designate color. I find it misleading.

Same with vendors calling their non-cuprian tourmalines "Paraiba color". Then there is the debate about the African cuprians (which the industry has ruled can be called Paraibas, although most labs will call them Paraiba-type without origin as AIGS is doing with this color).

To me, the comparison to terms like "pigeon blood" and "royal blue" is not the same because those terms do not suggest origin. Frankly, I find terms like "pigeon blood" and "royal blue" subjective as definitions/testing conditions for color vary from lab to lab.

But it is good marketing as the general public will use such color designations on a lab report as proof of what it is.

gmta
That was one of my first thought with this, here we go again....

 

[LilAlex]

I really like the idea. I do not know about the execution. As @Autumn in New England says, plenty of "vivid" and "royal blues" out there that would not pass muster at the top labs.

It is odd in that it is applying a geographically-based descriptor to any material irrespective of origin. I thought that was a serious faux pas among amateurs. I would prefer a designation like "Paraiba-type" that does not imply a geographic origin.

 

[T L]

More marketing hype to cater to vendors.

 

[dk168]

Not for me personally as I prefer my Aquas to be pale with a hint of green, like the ones in the top left hand corner of the pic attached in the original post!

DK

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

I guess I should have made this a poll.
It's running about 50:50.
I feel for newbies this type of thing probably has a real attraction.
Is it just hype, probably.
But when you look at the way we grade the color of diamonds - this is full of errors.
How dumb is it that we grade the color table down?????

And a 10ct G is pale yellow face up while a 0.10ct I faces up white!

 

[PrecisionGem]

In the trade the term Santa Maria color has been used for a long time to refer to the deeper blue aquamarine. I think the color guide by the AIGS is being very generous with the color. Many of what they have boxed off for Santa Maria color I think is too light. Here's one of the color shots from GemEWizard with much deeper blue.

 

[Garry H (Cut Nut)]

Not sure I have ever seen Aqua with colors like most of those below my line.
But color grading by images on devices is fraught with likely errors.

 

[PrecisionGem]

Here's a little write up on the material and how GemESquare defines it.

http://www.gemewizard.com/newsletters/view_article.php?id=87

 

[chrono]

But when you look at the way we grade the color of diamonds - this is full of errors.
How dumb is it that we grade the color table down?????

It is the same for CS too. If we graded from the side or all over, so many sapphires would be deemed to colour zoned or splotchy. Sometimes all it takes is one spot of colour at the bottom of the sapphire which gives it a uniform complete blue from the table view.

 

[fredflintstone]

In the trade the term Santa Maria color has been used for a long time to refer to the deeper blue aquamarine. I think the color guide by the AIGS is being very generous with the color. Many of what they have boxed off for Santa Maria color I think is too light. Here's one of the color shots from GemEWizard with much deeper blue.

I agree that AIGS is being very liberal with their definition of "Santa Maria, "no doubt. So is 90% of Pakistan dealers. "Santa Maria" is all over the place and next to none of it qualifies.

With the above said, I do not have a problem with labs or dealers claiming a highly sought after color/trade name for look alike stones that really rival the Santa Maria's, Padparadscha's, Paraiba's, etc. of the world, as long as they make it clear it is not that species of gemstones or origin and the color is remarkable.

 

[colorluvr]

12.71ct Aquamarine from Mozambique that I would consider "Santa Maria" color. It's a gorgeous stone that I have had for a long time and because it's so long and deep, it will probably need to be set as a pendant, if I set it at all. It is one of my favorite colors. This stone is hard to photograph, but as you can see, it's sitting on white cotton in a white plastic gembox, with a light wood background so you can tell the photo hasn't been manipulated.

 

[PrecisionGem]

12.71ct Aquamarine from Mozambique that I would consider "Santa Maria" color. It's a gorgeous stone that I have had for a long time and because it's so long and deep, it will probably need to be set as a pendant, if I set it at all. It is one of my favorite colors. This stone is hard to photograph, but as you can see, it's sitting on white cotton in a white plastic gembox, with a light wood background so you can tell the photo hasn't been manipulated.

Very pretty stone. These deeper color aqua's from Mozambique were being called "Santa Maria Africana". They were coming out just before the Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique find, but then it seems after that find dried up, very little of this color Aqua was mined again. The color on these is natural, not a heated blue. A lot of aquamarine is heated at a low temperature to remove the green, but these Mozambique stones come out of the ground blue.

 

[fredflintstone]

Very pretty stone. These deeper color aqua's from Mozambique were being called "Santa Maria Africana". They were coming out just before the Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique find, but then it seems after that find dried up, very little of this color Aqua was mined again. The color on these is natural, not a heated blue. A lot of aquamarine is heated at a low temperature to remove the green, but these Mozambique stones come out of the ground blue.

Very true. Some nice Aqua came out of Mozambique. Seen some nice Zambian and Nigerian material too.

 

[LilAlex]

it's sitting on white cotton in a white plastic gembox, with a light wood background so you can tell the photo hasn't been manipulated.

Just FYI, it is super-easy to just boost the blue channel, for instance, with a slider in most advanced imaging programs. Or you can "select" (isolate) that center blue rectangle and just enhance saturation on that, etc.

I am not saying this photo is unreliable. I am only saying that the conditions you recognize are necessary but not necessarily sufficient for color accuracy.

That said, I used to be dead-set against manipulation (a ton of this happens in the phone or camera before you ever decide to process it) but I now think it is acceptable for a vendor I know and trust to say that they have altered the photo to match what they feel the eye "sees." Most do this anyway. Some go (way) overboard.

EDIT: a few different examples -- all different methods in < 2 minutes total. Your original photo is the first one.

 

[colorluvr]

Just FYI, it is super-easy to just boost the blue channel, for instance, with a slider in most advanced imaging programs. Or you can "select" (isolate) that center blue rectangle and just enhance saturation on that, etc.

I am not saying this photo is unreliable. I am only saying that the conditions you recognize are necessary but not necessarily sufficient for color accuracy.

That said, I used to be dead-set against manipulation (a ton of this happens in the phone or camera before you ever decide to process it) but I now think it is acceptable for a vendor I know and trust to say that they have altered the photo to match what they feel the eye "sees." Most do this anyway. Some go (way) overboard.

EDIT: a few different examples -- all different methods in < 2 minutes total. Your original photo is the first one.

Very pretty stone. These deeper color aqua's from Mozambique were being called "Santa Maria Africana". They were coming out just before the Paraiba tourmaline from Mozambique find, but then it seems after that find dried up, very little of this color Aqua was mined again. The color on these is natural, not a heated blue. A lot of aquamarine is heated at a low temperature to remove the green, but these Mozambique stones come out of the ground blue.

Thank you. I got this quite awhile ago and took it to Martin Fuller (appraiser) to make sure it was as sold because it didn't come with paperwork. He verified that it was in fact a natural stone. I bought an oval at the same time and sent that one to AGL. It had almost no green and actually looked almost like a blue topaz, which is why I sold it....bad decision on my part...lol.

 

[JudeGeoffrey]

12.71ct Aquamarine from Mozambique that I would consider "Santa Maria" color. It's a gorgeous stone that I have had for a long time and because it's so long and deep, it will probably need to be set as a pendant, if I set it at all. It is one of my favorite colors. This stone is hard to photograph, but as you can see, it's sitting on white cotton in a white plastic gembox, with a light wood background so you can tell the photo hasn't been manipulated.

Colorluvr, this is a beautiful stone! However, I wanted to ask you about the setting which is represented in your photo ID. Where did you find that setting?

 

[colorluvr]

Colorluvr, this is a beautiful stone! However, I wanted to ask you about the setting which is represented in your photo ID. Where did you find that setting?

The setting came from Sarosi by Timeless Gems based in Los Angeles, however it isn't one of their settings. I bought it as a semi-mount from their booth at an Intergem several years ago. I was told that it was from one of their European suppliers. It held an 8mm champagne diamond, but because it wasn't a custom mounting, they agreed to sell it to me for my 8mm red mahenge spinel. I shipped my spinel to them and they mounted it for me. I since (as you can see) swapped out the spinel for my blue sapphire and reset the spinel in a CvB setting.
I do have one of their original settings that was custom made for an emerald that was sourced by Andrew Sarosi before he fell ill and passed away. If you aren't familiar, Andrew is the father of Marc Sarosi - owner of Africa Gems.

 

[JudeGeoffrey]

Thank you for your reply.

I have a ring that looks almost exactly like this sapphire ring. When I saw this, I thought I could have been looking at my own ring! The jeweler told me that Gabriel & Co. made the mount. However, I resized from a size 4 to 7.25 and the identification on the band of the ring was lost.....There is currently a wedding set on ebay that looks very similar which is made by Gabriel & Co.

I think it is unusual for a sapphire to have this round cut. I believe that mine is a Kashmir, but I have not sent for verification at this time. I have purchased other things from this jeweler and he has always been true to his word and has given me very good prices.

Thanks again for your reply.