Aquamarine
Variety Be3Al2Si6O18
About it
Blue to blue-green beryl coloured by iron, often in long six-sided crystals; most cut stones are heated to remove green. Brazil, Pakistan, Namibia, and Madagascar are major sources, and it is Colorado's state gem.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Beryl variety
- Formula
- Be3Al2Si6O18
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 7.5–8
- Specific gravity
- 2.67–2.9
- Streak
- white
- Lustre
- vitreous (glassy)
- Crystal system
- Hexagonal
- Colours
- pale blue, blue-green, sea blue
- Transparency
- transparent, translucent
- Cleavage and fracture
- imperfect basal; conchoidal to uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.