The Allure of the Aquamarine

Behold! The aquamarine ring featured in this article’s picture is the most recent collaboration between my father and me. He sourced the most outstanding 18-carat cushion-cut aquamarine from Brazil. When he showed it to me he asked for my opinion for setting it. The stone itself is enormous, so my vision was a classic three-stone ring with largeemerald-cut diamonds flanking it. When this ring is on the finger, absolutely no gold band is visible. It looks like candy on the hand and it is the ultimate statement piece. The finished result took our breath away. If you do not like big pieces, this is not for you!  

Aquamarine has proven to be a favorite of many on Marco Island. It evokes the feeling of our peaceful blue waters. In addition to being the March birthstone, it has much folklore attached to it as well. Ancient tales tell of sailors happening upon mermaids bearing treasure chests brimming with aquamarine gemstones. They were believed to have protective qualities and could guard sailors from shipwrecks. They also believed it would give them luck catching fish. Roman physicians were known to use aquamarine to treat overeating and bloating. Something my father could certainly use when overindulging in the many restaurants he visits around the world! 

In matters of the heart aquamarine is traditionally given for the 19th year of marriage. It is said to promote tranquility, hope, clarity, and fidelity and contributes to a happy marriage. We have an unmatched selection of aquamarine in pendants, earrings, and rings. It makes a suitable stone for everyday wear due to its hardness factor registering a 7.5 to an 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. When looking for an aquamarine for your own collection, the stone should be clear and almost translucent with excellent clarity. The more desired color is a dark blue to slightly greenish blue. But do not dismiss the lighter-colored aquamarine. They are very pretty in their own way and tend to be quite affordable, especially in higher carat weights. When compared to the cost of an emerald, sapphire, or ruby in the same size, aquamarine is a beautiful and affordable alternative. 

If you are a diamond lover but want to dip your toe into adding color to your jewelry box, aquamarine is a great entry stone. The pale blue looks good when worn with other diamond jewelry. It is a very wearable color and looks great when wearing black, white, blue or even the tropical colors favored by many on Marco Island. My father fancies it the official gemstone of Marco Island and it makes a wonderful gift to commemorate a special trip to the island.  

If an aquamarine gemstone is out of the budget another alternative is Larimar. Our Larimar pieces are set in sterling silver and evoke that pretty light blue color at a very reasonable price point. It is a non-faceted stone and is very smooth but looks beautiful in the sea-life settings. It has been a bestseller on Marco for many years and people return often to add to their collection. Allow us to show you some of our favorite pieces currently in stock. We love sharing our beautiful creations with you!