Aquamarine is a semi-precious stone, a kind of beryl. It has a pleasant green-blue color, which loses its intensity if the stone is exposed to sunlight for too long. According to beliefs, aquamarine can help a person become brave, it also protects spouses from betrayal, contributes to the unity of their union. In the past, he was taken with them on sea battles and travels. It was believed to help with seasickness.
Instructions
Step 1
Aquamarine is greenish-blue in color, sometimes just blue. If you change the angle of view, then it seems that the stone changes color, this is one of its main features. Aquamarine is sometimes said to be aquamarine. Rare stones are characterized by a zonal distribution of color, for example, aquamarines with a yellowish core are known.
Step 2
Distinguishing aquamarine from a fake, if it is already in a piece of jewelry, is very difficult. The signs are physical characteristics such as density, refractive index. Inclusions, if any, will also be clear indicators.
Step 3
The density of the stone is approximately 2.75. If alkalis are present in its composition, then it can increase to 2.9. This rarely happens, most aquamarines do not contain impurities. The stone is very hard, lightweight and brittle.
Step 4
Aquamarine is a transparent mineral, its refractive index is 1, 56-1, 60. It is translucent and has a glassy luster. The fracture is uneven, up to concha, characterized by imperfect cleavage, sometimes even transverse separation is noticeable.
Step 5
You cannot find synthetic aquamarine on the jewelry market, but there are imitations that are actually glass or blue spinel. Also, this stone is sometimes confused with topaz or pale sapphire.
Step 6
Sometimes aquamarine contains inclusions of white, experts call them chrysanthemums or snow signs. This is a sufficient sign by which you can confidently declare that this is aquamarine in front of you.
Step 7
Sometimes yellow and green beryls, preheated to 400-500 degrees Celsius, are found as fake aquamarines. They acquire the characteristic aquamarine greenish-blue color, which is quite stable. Such a fake cannot be detected unless special research is carried out.
Step 8
There are colorless and pink beryls, which have undergone neutron irradiation, after which these stones are painted in a deep sapphire or rich cobalt blue color, the same as in maxix aquamarines. But when heated or under the influence of daylight, this color disappears quite easily.
