Aquamarines

[Seaglow]

I have heard of this history, but did not live through it.

The green-blue simply hit a chord: a transparent gem in the beloved Turquoise color range - before the times of Paraiba ! Of course, there is no comparison, therefore no competition...


___
Random: after seeing your post today, another larger blue-green happened to show up - in an interesting 'mirror' setting WWW (when it rains ..!)

The price though! When did faceted aqua become so expensive? The big ones are over $1K in the internet even at the reasonably priced sellers and bidding sites. Even the pieces closer to goshenite than aqua commands some bucks, et there are big finds of nice blues in Namibia. I guess it is difficult with decent clarity...

Thought I’d add in my aqua beads. These look like water flowing around the neck with a definite green tint. They look almost ancient to me.

I have been meaning to post my aquamarine and carved rose quartz necklace for a while. The stones are a couple of shades lighter IRL.

Very nice bead necklaces, ladies! I seldom see transluscent beads anymore of significant sizes and even clarity. Most aqua beads I see now are opaque and if there is transluscency/transparency, they are smaller beads. I think the transluscent ones are now often cabbed.

 

[chatoyancy]

The price though! When did faceted aqua become so expensive? The big ones are over $1K in the internet even at the reasonably priced sellers and bidding sites. Even the pieces closer to goshenite than aqua commands some bucks, et there are big finds of nice blues in Namibia. I guess it is difficult with decent clarity...




Very nice bead necklaces, ladies! I seldom see transluscent beads anymore of significant sizes and even clarity. Most aqua beads I see now are opaque and if there is transluscency/transparency, they are smaller beads. I think the transluscent ones are now often cabbed.

Thank you Seaglow! I got mine about 13-14 years ago. Oh, and my smaller pear I posted about a page back is untreated Namibian. The vendor said it was reasonably priced because it was under 3 carats.

 

[Bluegemz]

The price though! When did faceted aqua become so expensive? The big ones are over $1K in the internet even at the reasonably priced sellers and bidding sites. Even the pieces closer to goshenite than aqua commands some bucks, et there are big finds of nice blues in Namibia. I guess it is difficult with decent clarity...




Very nice bead necklaces, ladies! I seldom see transluscent beads anymore of significant sizes and even clarity. Most aqua beads I see now are opaque and if there is transluscency/transparency, they are smaller beads. I think the transluscent ones are now often cabbed.

Thank you ! I think you are right. Mine was a gift from my mother 22 years ago!

 

[Bluegemz]

I just remembered, I had this beaded strand bookmarked because of these amazing beads. Seller says they are antique. Love the carved lines! Huge, watery nuggets of unheated Aqua! I LOVE this ! It’s so elegant and amazing.

 

[valeria101]

The price though!

I don't think the price accounts for the nature of the stone as much as for the nature of the ring ... I can't remember when I saw a larger, fine example of the same era in one piece, and this one's look seems ripe for knock-off/revival [wouldn't you want a distorting mirror made of aquamarine on the back of your hand ?]

Thinking out loud ...

_
I would agree that Aquamarine seems to have gained an unusual status during the last twenty years or so: any bluish beryl rubble does sell, no price ever drops and the top went its own way entirely. Much that I know @Sagebrush 's book was one of the few to witness the particular interest of saturated blue (Hoc!) aqua, to which the rush to treatments testifies from the trenches ... Pitty the green-blues !

Ps. I am recalling an older edition of the book, the new seems to have been lost in the university mail, so I am way behind getting it / forshame !

 

[Arkteia]

Many years back, when I started collecting gemstones, many aaua used to be greenish blue. They heated them less Do you remember those times? Now majority of the aquas are just this is pure blue. I also find the tinge of green appealing.

I love it, too, but the times have changed. When I started collecting my gems, it was very important for me to buy unheated stones. Today, it is good if they are not irradiated.

 

[LittleRed]

Aquas have always been a favorite of mine in any form. I like artistic artisan jewelry and have a few pieces. This little bird is a cutie by Carolyn Morris Bach.

 

[leslie1956]

And, out the of curiosity, does anyone have any deep blue aquamarine or even Maxixe beryl? Has the maxixe faded at all?

The darkest blue aqua I've ever seen was in Yvonne's shop not too long ago. It was unheated and the color was so unusual she had it tested. Some lucky soul bought it and set it in a substantial white gold ring. That deep teal/blue color was to die for! I've never heard of maxixe beryl

 

[Bluegemz]

The darkest blue aqua I've ever seen was in Yvonne's shop not too long ago. It was unheated and the color was so unusual she had it tested. Some lucky soul bought it and set it in a substantial white gold ring. That deep teal/blue color was to die for! I've never heard of maxixe beryl

Sounds like it was amazing! The Maxixe is stunning....it’s such a shame that color can fade. Msybe after fading, it would look like an aqua? Maybe one would have a great time with the darker blue and later with the lighter? Unless it fades unevenly...

 

[ohsomethingshiny]

I’m glad this thread got some added love. I’ve been looking for an ideal aqua piece but surprised at the cost.

 

[whitewave]

I found another nice one but it is expensive

https://www.leibish.com/blue-gemstones/blue-brazil-aquamarine-emerald-1147

$3475

 

[peacechick]

This is my aquamarine in a portuguese cut. It’s about 10 years old and still a favorite of mine, even though I have acquired flashier bling along the way. I too would actually love to have some watery green aqua, like a naturally occurring green amethyst. I have no interest in the saturated material.

 

[Bluegemz]

This is my aquamarine in a portuguese cut. It’s about 10 years old and still a favorite of mine, even though I have acquired flashier bling along the way. I too would actually love to have some watery green aqua, like a naturally occurring green amethyst. I have no interest in the saturated material.

That is such a pretty ring!

 

[Bluegemz]

Aquas have always been a favorite of mine in any form. I like artistic artisan jewelry and have a few pieces. This little bird is a cutie by Carolyn Morris Bach.

What a lyrical pendant! It’s so sweet with the bird and the bow. I love more artistic jewelry too, so I can really see why you got this pendant! the Aqua just glows.

 

[Allgems]

I took those photos in the Royal Castle in Warsaw/Poland last year, I apologize for the quality, but I think it is an interesting aquamarine piece, a sceptre belonging to one of Polish Kings, made entirely of aquamarines joined with gold.
I also found a link with official description and photos: https://kolekcja.zamek-krolewski.pl/en/obiekt/kolekcja/Metals/query/ZKW%2F2138/id/ZKW_2138

 

[Bluegemz]

I took those photos in the Royal Castle in Warsaw/Poland last year, I apologize for the quality, but I think it is an interesting aquamarine piece, a sceptre belonging to one of Polish Kings, made entirely of aquamarines joined with gold.
I also found a link with official description and photos: https://kolekcja.zamek-krolewski.pl/en/obiekt/kolekcja/Metals/query/ZKW%2F2138/id/ZKW_2138

Omg, how interesting! I’ve never seen anything like this! Thanks for sharing.

 

[peacechick]

This is amazing! I always love looking at royal jewels. I wonder if he had to be careful not to rap it too hard on the ground? Judging from the length, I guess it was a ceremonial one and wouldn’t touch the floor.

 

[peacechick]

Aquas have always been a favorite of mine in any form. I like artistic artisan jewelry and have a few pieces. This little bird is a cutie by Carolyn Morris Bach.

This one has almost a paraiba glow! So pretty and artistic!

 

[Catmom]

These were my aquas cut by Michael E. I have since sold the set but they were my favorite unheated and showing the green.

 

[whitewave]

From ascot today. I assume those are aquas.

 

[Hivona]

I have 3 aquas! First is Jeff White’s photo then 2 of my own pics. Emerald cut is my absolute favorite and this gem is one of my favorites!



The next 2 are my pics of a Dan Stair aqua. I didn’t save his photo. I like how the middle is very pale with darker blue on the ends. Might not be others’ cup of tea but I found it interesting!



Last aqua I just received yesterday from Barry Bridgestock. I LOVE it! His 1 photo then a few of mine in terrible lighting throughout my apartment.


They are all so different & I plan to set them into occasional wear rings eventually..... I’m still looking for green & sea foam green aquas.

 

[peacechick]

I have 3 aquas! First is Jeff White’s photo then 2 of my own pics. Emerald cut is my absolute favorite and this gem is one of my favorites!



The next 2 are my pics of a Dan Stair aqua. I didn’t save his photo. I like how the middle is very pale with darker blue on the ends. Might not be others’ cup of tea but I found it interesting!



Last aqua I just received yesterday from Barry Bridgestock. I LOVE it! His 1 photo then a few of mine in terrible lighting throughout my apartment.


They are all so different & I plan to set them into occasional wear rings eventually..... I’m still looking for green & sea foam green aquas.

They are all fabulous and interesting cuts! The clarity of aquas really work well to show off the complexity of the cutting. Loop us in when you find the sea foam stuff!

 

[voce]

I have 3 aquas! First is Jeff White’s photo then 2 of my own pics. Emerald cut is my absolute favorite and this gem is one of my favorites!



The next 2 are my pics of a Dan Stair aqua. I didn’t save his photo. I like how the middle is very pale with darker blue on the ends. Might not be others’ cup of tea but I found it interesting!



Last aqua I just received yesterday from Barry Bridgestock. I LOVE it! His 1 photo then a few of mine in terrible lighting throughout my apartment.


They are all so different & I plan to set them into occasional wear rings eventually..... I’m still looking for green & sea foam green aquas.

They all look very nice. It may just be your photos, but the emerald cut and the oval/cushion cut don't look as saturated in color as Barry's round cut, which I like best.

 

[Bluegemz]

I have 3 aquas! First is Jeff White’s photo then 2 of my own pics. Emerald cut is my absolute favorite and this gem is one of my favorites!



The next 2 are my pics of a Dan Stair aqua. I didn’t save his photo. I like how the middle is very pale with darker blue on the ends. Might not be others’ cup of tea but I found it interesting!



Last aqua I just received yesterday from Barry Bridgestock. I LOVE it! His 1 photo then a few of mine in terrible lighting throughout my apartment.


They are all so different & I plan to set them into occasional wear rings eventually..... I’m still looking for green & sea foam green aquas.

They are lovely! I love the Jeff White one especially, and love the special cut of the second. The great thing about aqua is that all the shades and tones have thier own kind of beautiful, from light to dark, saturated to light crystal, blue to green. I’m also a huge lover of that frothy, sea foam green blue kind. It’s just so soft and dreamy! That is my favorite because there’s nothing else that has that look and that magic.

 

[Bluegemz]

Gosh, I think I forgot to add this aquamarine set which I got this past Spring. This comes from a generations long jeweler in Rome. The stones are slightly windowed, but I just love the look and the design. It’s a true departure in style for me, as I typically love the greener variety with high carat gold. There is such great ‘range’ in aquamarine!

 

[stracci2000]

Gosh, I think I forgot to add this aquamarine set which I got this past Spring. This comes from a generations long jeweler in Rome. The stones are slightly windowed, but I just love the look and the design. It’s a true departure in style for me, as I typically love the greener variety with high carat gold. There is such great ‘range’ in aquamarine!

Everything in your collection is top notch, @Bluegemz!

 

[Bluegemz]

Everything in your collection is top notch, @Bluegemz!

Thank you, @stracci2000 !!!

 

[Oneys mom]

Gosh, I think I forgot to add this aquamarine set which I got this past Spring. This comes from a generations long jeweler in Rome. The stones are slightly windowed, but I just love the look and the design. It’s a true departure in style for me, as I typically love the greener variety with high carat gold. There is such great ‘range’ in aquamarine!

I was scrolling through and your aqua set just stopped me in my tracks. I think I am gobsmacked by their beauty. Wow. Wow. Wow. LOVE them!

 

[Bluegemz]

I was scrolling through and your aqua set just stopped me in my tracks. I think I am gobsmacked by their beauty. Wow. Wow. Wow. LOVE them!

Thank you so much!! You’ve inspired me to wear these tomorrow since they don’t get worn enough.

 

[Bluegemz]

I might as well add my newest aqua piece, featuring a carved flower aqua with gold leaves and little diamonds. A brooch worn as a pendant also.