Aquamarine Birthstone for March

Aquamarine is one of our most popular and best-known gemstones, and distinguishes itself by many good qualities. It is almost as popular as the classics: ruby, sapphire and emerald. In fact it is related to the emerald, both belonging to the beryl family. The colour of aquamarine, however, is usually more even than that of the emerald. Much more often than its famous green cousin, aquamarine is almost entirely free of inclusions. Aquamarine has good hardness (7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale) and a wonderful shine.

New Discovery of Aquamarine Primary Rock in Sri Lanka Except for moonstones which are mined from a weathered pegmatite in Meetiyagoda and insitu Chrysoberyl in Pattara no other commercially viable gem deposit has been known to exist in Sri Lanka.

The recent and accidental discovery of aquamarine were found during mine for vein Quartz (silica quartz) in the Akkarella estate belonging to Kahawatta Plantations Limited about 25 km south-east of Ratnapura.

Previous occurrences of Aquamarine in Sri Lanka had mostly been from Ratnapura and Nawalapitiya, these zones were always water worn. The recent findings have generated a geological interest in relation to the genesis of gemstones in Sri Lanka.

This vein Quartz field stretches about 2 km. The Aquamarine is found in association with phlogopite mica and schoral (black tourmaline) is evidence of the Pneumalytic genesis of this pegmatite. The sizes of the crystals vary but samples up to 10cm or more have been found. The colour varies from a pale sky blue to a dark blue resembling the colour of Santa Maria Aquamarine. Test as to the nature of the fluid inclusion in the stones and research into the detail of the chemistry of the stones are currently being carried out.

The near by estate of Hunuwala which is 6 km. north-west of Akarella shows evidence of the continuation of this pegmatite mineralization. The National Gem and Jewelry Authority of Sri Lanka have recently auctioned off the Hunuwala estate for gem mining. Larger crystals of colourless Topaz have been found there some measuring up to 10 kg.

Ceylon saphires

A charming brooch modelled as a bouquet of flowers made from old sapphires from Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and rubies © Keith Wallis

Keith Wallis’s Book on Gemstones

Keith Wallis’s informative guide book to understanding, identifying and buying gemstones

 

Mr Wallis is a qualified gemologist who obtained his diploma as a Fellow of the Gemological Association of Great Britain in 1978. He writes concisely and is clearly well travelled himself. His stated aim is to demystify the complex and he has succeeded in producing a book that encourages the beginner not to be put off by the minefield that awaits the buyer who is unprepared – particularly when buying abroad.

Queen Victoria’s Turquoise Brooch

A gold brooch given by Queen Victoria to one of her bridesmaids. The stones are turquoise, pearls and rubies © Keith Wallis

December Birth Stone Blue Topaz

December birth stone is blue topaz, For the Egyptians topaz was a very powerful amulet against harm, because they believed that topaz was a gemstone colored with the golden glow of the mighty sun god Ra. Topaz The Romans associated topaz with Jupiter, who also is the god of the sun. Legend has it that it dispels all enchantment.

The name “topaz” is thought to be derived from the Sankrit word tapas meaning fire. However, more likely, it probably derived its name from the Island of Topazos, in the Red Sea. Topaz comes in many colors such as blue, yellow, pink, brown, green and clear. Orange-red “Imperial” topaz is rare. Perhaps the most famous topaz is the clear, large specimen set in the Portuguese Crown, once mistaken for a diamond. Topaz is a beautiful light blue stone