what is the rarity of it?
Is it precious or semi precious- why, what makes it so?
2007-04-21 11:11:05 · 3 answers · asked by ddallkki 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Aquamarine is a gem variety of Beryl Be3Al2(SiO3)6 which has a sea blue or sea green colour (the dark green colour is emerald of course). Good aquamarine is rare and 99% of the material we see today has been heat treated to improve the colour. The term "semi-precious" is no longer accepted by the CIBJO and should not be used as it makes no sense, for example chrysoberyl was classed as semi-precious but I have sold stones of its colour change variety (alexandrite) for more than $25,000 per carat. Hardly semi I think.
Aquamarine is a beautiful stone and its price reflects this. Poor colour and cloudy examples sell for cents per carat but top material can reach $800 or more per carat without any problems.
To be a precious stone a mineral must have three qualities, Beauty, which speaks for itself. Durability, it must be able to stand the rigors of being used in jewellery without scratching and breaking. Last Rarity, humans do not want the things you you can find in the street.
I hope that helps.
2007-04-21 23:26:32 · answer #1 · answered by U.K.Export 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Aquamarine, or blue beryl, is an accessory mineral in granite. It is a semi-precious gem stone since it is not that uncommon. Since it is a beryl it could be used as a source of beryllium, although I have never heard of it being used this way.
2007-04-21 19:42:04 · answer #2 · answered by Amphibolite 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
aquamarine is all precious its a life in the ocean
2007-04-21 18:35:15 · answer #3 · answered by etanmi4 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋