Aquamarine

Aquamarine, named for the Latin phrase "water of the sea", is the blue to blue-green variety Beryl. Beryl also contains other gem varieties, including Emerald, and some lesser known varieties such as Morganite and Heliodor. Aquamarine ranges in color from a faint light blue to blue and bluish-green, with lighter colored stones being the more common type. Light green Beryl can be transformed into Aquamarine if heated to 750º F (400º C). The green hues in most Aquamarine can also be removed through heat treatment.
Chemical Formula Be3Al2SiO6
Color Blue
Hardness 7.5Â -Â 8.0
Crystal System Hexagonal
Refractive Index 1.57Â -Â 1.58
SG 2.6Â -Â 2.8
Transparency Transparent to translucent
Double Refraction .006
Luster Vitreous
Cleavage 3,1 - basal
Mineral Class Beryl (Aquamarine)