HD Aquamarine & Morganite Collections

AQUAMARINE

Latin: aqua marina means seawater; the jewel of the sea. The March birthstone has long been a protective talisman for seafaring folk. It cools tempers, is a symbol of youth, health, hope, foresight, courage, & happiness; plus a host of other ascribed attributes.

Aquamarine belongs to the same beryl mineral family as emerald and morganite. It is more durable than emerald even though both have a hardness 7.5-8, aquamarine is relatively flaw free. For thousands of years, aquamarine has been routinely low temperature heat treated to permanently change its colour from a greenish blue to a pure blue. Brazil is a major source, along with Africa, South Asia, Russia and the USA.

Emerald cut, oval and pear shapes are most common and best value because of aquamarine’s crystal shape. Our sales consultants and master jewellers will design and craft a beautiful original aquamarine piece just for you, and offer advice on how to best care for your jewel.

MORGANITE

A light pink to orange coloured beryl, morganite is in the same gem family as aquamarine and emerald. These gorgeous pinks are a result of traces of manganese. Pink morganites are much rarer than orange stones and of course most highly prized and valuable.

Another interesting fact about this beautiful gem is the intense red-hued fluorescence it exhibits when exposed to X-rays and a pale lilac colour under ultra-violet light.

Pink beryl was first identified in Madagascar in 1910 and was named morganite by George F. Kunz, a famous American gemmologist and buyer in honour of John Pierpont (J.P.) Morgan, the famous American banker, and avid gemstone collector. Why didn’t Mr Kunz call it Kunzite? Simply because eight years earlier he had named another rare pink gemstone Kunzite! Morganite is prized by gem collectors owing to its rarity.

We have a stunning collection of loose stones available should you wish to choose a stone for your unique Holloway Diamonds piece.