Aquamarine: Gemstone, meaning & care at a glance

Aquamarine is a light blue gemstone from the beryl family—named after the Latin aqua marina, meaning “seawater.” Its delicate, transparent blue hue is reminiscent of clear seas and calm skies. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is pleasantly suitable for everyday wear and is also considered the birthstone of March.

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl mineral family—the same group as green emerald. The stone owes its characteristic blue to blue-green color to trace amounts of iron. Its shades range from an almost colorless, pale light blue to a richer sea blue. Clear, transparent stones with an even color are especially prized.

Aquamarine is found in countries including Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Pakistan. Because it often occurs in well-formed, clear crystals, it is particularly well suited to faceted cuts that make its light sparkle.

Compared with many other gemstones, aquamarine is pleasantly hard and therefore easy to wear every day. On the Mohs scale, which ranges from 1 to 10 and describes the scratch resistance of minerals, it ranks at 7.5 to 8—for comparison: diamond reaches the maximum value of 10. This makes it an excellent choice for rings, necklaces, and earrings that are worn regularly.

As early as antiquity, aquamarine was associated with the sea. According to tradition, sailors carried it as a protective stone for a safe journey across the water. Because of its clear, cool color, aquamarine is still considered a symbol of calm, clarity, and constancy.

In the language of gemstones, aquamarine is said to represent loyalty and a clear mind. These meanings have developed culturally and historically, making the stone an atmospheric gift—for example, for a March birthday or as a sign of a long-standing bond.

Because its color evokes water and open horizons, aquamarine has been associated with travel and relationships in many cultures. As a gift, it therefore often conveys a personal message—without needing to attribute any medical or healing effects to the stone. It is the calm, clear radiance of its blue color that makes it so popular.

Color plays a major role in defining an aquamarine’s character. Light, luminous shades appear fresh and airy—they pair wonderfully with bright white gold. Stronger, deeper blue tones create a more pronounced accent. Both varieties have their appeal:

• Light blue: delicate and transparent, ideal for a clear, fresh jewelry look.
• Sea to ocean blue: more intense and expressive, a vibrant eye-catcher.
• Blue-green: the natural intermediate shade that reveals its affinity with emerald.

Set in white gold, the cool blue takes on a particularly pure appearance. At Splendido Jewelry, you can find aquamarine’s delicate blue, for example, in our 585 white gold necklaces with aquamarine as well as matching teardrop-shaped aquamarine stud earrings.

Aquamarine can be used in jewelry in many versatile ways. As a pendant on a delicate chain, its blue rests directly at the décolleté; as stud earrings, it frames the face; as a ring, it becomes an everyday companion. Aquamarine is often combined with small diamonds—the diamonds’ white brilliance enhances the blue stone’s clear appearance.

At Splendido Jewelry, the 585 gold used is nickel-free and does not tarnish, while the 925 silver is solid and rhodium-plated. This keeps the setting beautiful for the long term and makes it comfortable against the skin. Discover our selection of gold necklaces with gemstones, gold rings with gemstones, and our complete gold jewelry collection. For a March gift, it is also worth exploring our birthday gift ideas.

When choosing aquamarine jewelry, three things are especially important: a beautiful, even color; good transparency without distracting inclusions; and a clean cut that sets the light in motion within the stone. The setting’s precious metal also influences its appearance: white gold highlights the cool blue, while yellow gold creates a warm contrast.

With a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, aquamarine is one of the more durable gemstones and is well suited to everyday wear. Nevertheless, every stone benefits from a little care:

1. Clean aquamarine jewelry with lukewarm water, a drop of mild dish soap, and a soft brush.
2. Rinse thoroughly and pat the piece dry with a soft, lint-free cloth.
3. Put on the jewelry only after applying perfume, cream, and hairspray, and remove it before exercising, bathing, and sleeping.
4. Store it dry and separately so that the stone and setting do not get scratched.

It is best to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight and intense heat, as strong blue tones may fade slightly over time. This way, your aquamarine will accompany you for many years in all its clarity.

At Splendido Jewelry, you will find handpicked, carefully selected pieces made from genuine 585 gold and rhodium-plated 925 silver by Italian goldsmiths. Clear gemstones such as aquamarine are shown to particularly beautiful effect in these pieces—for example, in our white gold necklaces. You enjoy free shipping and free returns, a 30-day right of return, and customer service that responds within 24 hours—deliveries are made to Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium.

Frequently Asked Questions