Aquamarines also have imperfect cleavage. Hardness isn't the only measure of aquamarine durability. View the Course Aquamarine Toughness and Cut Styles Aquamarine's relatively high hardness also means it can retain a good polish for a long time. This makes them good choices for daily wear jewelry, like engagement rings. Since household dust only has a hardness of 7, it can't damage aquamarines. They can't be scratched by anything with a lower hardness. That means these gems have excellent resistance to scratches and abrasions. Aquamarine HardnessĪquamarines have a hardness value of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. Aquamarines, on the other hand, get their blue to blueish green color from traces of iron. The trace elements that give them their green color - chromium and vanadium - also weaken their crystal structure. Although both emeralds and aquamarines belong to the beryl family, emeralds have a greater tendency to fracture because of how they form. Let's take a look at aquamarine durability and the potential problems that jewelers, faceters, and consumers should bear in mind. Nevertheless, this popular jewelry stone does have some vulnerabilities. Photo © International Gem Society.Īnswer: Aquamarines are relatively tough gems. Since emeralds are so fragile and sensitive, does this mean aquamarines make poor jewelry stones? Round aquamarine. Emeralds are green beryls aquamarines are blue to blueish green beryls. Question: Emeralds and aquamarines are both beryls.
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