A member of the Beryl family as is the Emerald. The colour is sea blue and can quite often have a greenish cast that is reduced by heat treatment. The stone is very popular with the larger sized stones being more valuable. Smaller aquamarine stones can lack the intensity of colour. The stones generally have very few inclusions unlike emeralds. Mainly found in Brazil, Russia, Africa and the USA.
Legend has it that this stone would be placed in a glass of water as a remedy against eye trouble, sore throat, toothache and liver problems. It was also thought that this stone would promote a happy marriage. When the stone is ground into flat plates it enhances clarity and was made into spectacles in the 14th century.
Moonstone
Considered to be a very romantic stone and a feldspar, (an abundant rock-forming mineral typically occurring as colourless or pale-coloured crystals and consisting of aluminosilicates of potassium, sodium, and calcium )it comes in many colours from clear, peach to blue and the stones are opalescent in nature. It can also be found in a rainbow of colours within one stone and is doubly refractive. The opalescent effect is created from the interference of light within the stone. It does not have the hardness of other stones and is around a 6 on the Moh’s scale. Moonstone is found in India, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, Burma, Tanzania and the USA.
Garnet
These come in a multitude of colours. The most well-known is the dark red which was much loved by the Victorians for their jewellery. They are found in many parts of the world including, Sri Lanka, Central Europe,
Yellowish orange to brownish red garnets are known as Hessonite and Spessartine garnets. Green garnets are known as demantoid or tsarvorite. Tsavorite are found in Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan and Myanmar in Burma.
