![]() ![]() Try not to fall afoul of any laws during your search. Metamorphic rock is usually easier to dig, so you’ll be able to recover the crystals faster. Aquamarine has the variety to form in many environments, which is why it’s spread across the world. ![]() Veins are similar, but they’ll be present in metamorphic rock instead. Most locations that have pegmatite will also have other crystals encased in the stone. Pegmatite is known for housing high-quality crystals that formed quickly. ![]() Pegmatites form quickly after an eruption. It’s a lot easier on private property with permission from the land owner, as each state and National Park has their own set of rules when it comes to mining. Since pegmatites are hard rock digging you need to make doubly sure that you have legal permission to dig where you are. Cheaper tools are fine, especially if you’re not in the field often. They’re expensive but you’ll never have to buy the tool again. I stick with Estwing for my rockhounding gear, for the most part. Chisel – For breaking into medium-sized pieces and knocking stone away from larger crystals.Īll of the linked tools are those I’ve personally used.Shovel – For moving broken down pieces out of the way.Pry Bar – For bigger prying applications that the rock pick can’t handle.Pickaxe – To knock off chunks of pegmatite.Rock Pick – For breaking smaller chunks and prying at things.In locations where other people have been mining things can be missed. Think of a piece of granite and imagine the various minerals seen were 1-6” long and you’re on the right track.ĭigging pegmatites is hard work, so it’s often a good idea to check through any debris nearby. They’re a rock formation that consists of larger mineral samples, making them extremely coarse-grained. The first is the most common: pegmatites.Ī pegmatite is easy to describe. There are two main locations where aquamarine is found. Carat Weight- Weight is always a factor when selling gemstones since it lets us accurately measure which is the larger stone.The bottom end of the scale is the normal round cut, at the upper end we have strange fantasy cuts worth an absurd amount. Cut- Stones with a more difficult cut are worth more, it’s just how things work.Clarity is important for the value of the stone, but some people purposefully use stones with interesting inclusions. Clarity- Clarity is usually high in aquamarine, unlike emerald.The best is a deep, saturated blue but there are plenty of sky blue pieces of aquamarine set in gold. Most commercial grade material is lightly colored, but in fine jewelry, you’ll find much deeper colors. Color- The most important factor for aquamarine’s value.Like all stones, its value is based on the 4 Cs. ![]() Most gemmy samples have very high clarity compared to others in the same family.Īquamarine is most frequently seen as a faceted stone. What is Aquamarine?Īquamarine is a form of beryl, the same family of gemstones as emerald and heliodor. So, let’s learn about this incredible gemstone in our ultimate guide to aquamarine. The gem itself is worth enough that there have been many tall tales told about locations and prospectors who jealously guard their location. It’s found in many places, in forms of varying quality, but it’s highly sought after by many rockhounds. It’s a hard gemstone with a sky blue color, often known for high clarity. Aquamarine is famous among gem enthusiasts. ![]()
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