aquamarine roundaquamarine round

Aquamarine Durability


Aquamarines are fairly tough jewelry stones, but they do have some weaknesses. Learn about aquamarine durability and what precautions you should take.

2 Minute Read

Question: Emeralds and aquamarines are both beryls. Emeralds are green beryls; aquamarines are blue to blueish green beryls. Since emeralds are so fragile and sensitive, does this mean aquamarines make poor jewelry stones?
aquamarine round
Round aquamarine. Photo © International Gem Society.

Answer: Aquamarines are relatively tough gems. Nevertheless, this popular jewelry stone does have some vulnerabilities. Let's take a look at aquamarine durability and the potential problems that jewelers, faceters, and consumers should bear in mind.

emeralds and aquamarines on display
Although both emeralds and aquamarines belong to the beryl family, emeralds have a greater tendency to fracture because of how they form. The trace elements that give them their green color — chromium and vanadium — also weaken their crystal structure. Aquamarines, on the other hand, get their blue to blueish green color from traces of iron. Emeralds and aquamarines on display. Photo by Mauro Cateb. Licensed under CC By 2.0.

Aquamarine Hardness

Aquamarines have a hardness value of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. That means these gems have excellent resistance to scratches and abrasions. They can't be scratched by anything with a lower hardness. Since household dust only has a hardness of 7, it can't damage aquamarines. This makes them good choices for daily wear jewelry, like engagement rings. Aquamarine's relatively high hardness also means it can retain a good polish for a long time.

Interested in this topic?

This article is also a part of our Aquamarine Specialist Mini Course, in the unit Identification of Aquamarine.

Aquamarine Toughness and Cut Styles

Hardness isn't the only measure of aquamarine durability. Aquamarines also have imperfect cleavage. That means if they're struck along an internal cleavage plane they could split in two. Like most gems, aquamarines have "Brittle" tenacity. That means they're prone to breaking or chipping if struck.

aquamarine and diamond platinum ring by Tiffany & Co.
Like many gems, aquamarines show conchoidal, "shell-like" fractures when broken or chipped. The oval-shaped aquamarine in this Tiffany & Co. platinum ring shows a conchoidal fracture on its edge. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Fellows.

Despite these vulnerabilities, aquamarines still have "Good" toughness. However, some precautions are in order when cutting and setting these gems. Since the corners of gems are most vulnerable to breakage, faceters frequently select round, oval, or cut-cornered styles (like an emerald cut) for aquamarines. Cut aquamarines with corners or thin girdles should have protective settings in jewelry.

broken heart-shaped aquamarine
Heart-cut aquamarine gem with noticeable breakage. Photo © International Gem Society.

Aquamarine Durability and Gemstone Maintenance

Aquamarines have fair resistance to heat. Steam jewelry cleaners that operate below 700° F (371° C) usually won't harm these gems, as long as they don't have liquid inclusions or internal fractures. These might expand during heating and crack the gemstone.

Exposing aquamarines to temperatures of 700-850° F (371-454° C) may cause other problems, even if the stones don't shatter. These temperatures may cause aquamarines to change color. Higher temperatures, such as those created by a jeweler's torch, may result in discoloration. Before repairing metal jewelry, jewelers should remove any aquamarines from their settings as a precaution.

Broken briolette-shaped aquamarine. Photo © International Gem Society.

Aquamarines can handle many chemicals used for cleaning, from soapy water to moderately strong acids. However, hydrofluoric acid, found in home rust removers and strong cleaners, can damage them.

Ultrasonic jewelry cleaners, including their solution baths, are usually safe for aquamarines, but the vibrations generated by the device could damage stones with liquid inclusions or fractures.

If you don't know if your aquamarines have any such inclusions, clean them with a soft brush, mild detergent, and warm water. Consult our gemstone jewelry care guide for more recommendations.

Aquamarines and Light Exposure

Both mined and lab-created aquamarines are stable under all light sources, including sunlight, artificial indoor lighting, and ultraviolet, even for prolonged periods. However, so-called Maxixe aquamarines (irradiated blue beryls) will fade over time when exposed to light.

Maxixe beryls
Maxixe beryl cabochons, 28.8 and 29.13 cts. Photo courtesy of liveauctioneers.com and Itineris.

International Gem Society

Related Articles

More Articles
Aquamarine Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationThe Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Aquamarine Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

Named after the color of sea water, aquamarine is the blue to blue-green member of the beryl family. Readily available...
Read More
Aquamarine Grading and Pricing

Aquamarine Grading and Pricing

Aquamarines are evaluated based on the Four Cs: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Learn how each factor affects aquamarine grading...
Read More
Aquamarine Enhancements

Aquamarine Enhancements

The most common aquamarine enhancements try to turn blueish green stones pure blue. Learn how heating and other aquamarine treatments...
Read More
Synthetic AquamarinesPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/aquamarine-durability/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/aquamarine-durability/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/523/alex-cooper/">Alex Cooper</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Synthetic Aquamarines

Synthetic aquamarines are relatively rare, but gemologists may encounter them. Learn how these stones are made and how to distinguish...
Read More

Latest Articles

More Articles
Classic Engagement Ring StonesPastel purple sapphire</a>, 1.08 cts, 5.8 mm, round cut, Sri Lanka. © <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/aquamarine-durability/"https://www.thegemtrader.com/">The Gem Trader</a>. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Classic Engagement Ring Stones

Emerald, ruby, sapphire, and diamond are the most popular choices for classic engagement ring stones. Learn more about these traditional...
Read More
Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Broken Bangle — The Blunder-Besmirched History of Jade Nomenclature: Book Review

Is fei cui a better term for "pyroxene jade" than jadeite? Jeffery Bergman reviews Broken Bangle, a new book on...
Read More
Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry InformationJoel E. Arem</a>, PhD, FGA. Used with permission." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Cuprite Value, Price, and Jewelry Information

One of the rarest of all facetable gems, cut cuprites can show magnificent deep red color. However, these beautiful stones...
Read More
Gemstone Radiation TreatmentPhoto courtesy of <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/aquamarine-durability/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/">liveauctioneers.com and <a href=https://www.gemsociety.org/article/aquamarine-durability/"https://www.liveauctioneers.com/auctioneer/1081/eros-auctions-inc/">Eros Auctions, Inc</a>." src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" decoding="async" data-nimg="responsive" style="position:absolute;top:0;left:0;bottom:0;right:0;box-sizing:border-box;padding:0;border:none;margin:auto;display:block;width:0;height:0;min-width:100%;max-width:100%;min-height:100%;max-height:100%;object-fit:cover;object-position:50% 50%"/>

Gemstone Radiation Treatment

Gemstone radiation is a common but little understood technique for altering colors. Learn how it works and what gems usually...
Read More

Never Stop Learning

When you join the IGS community, you get trusted diamond & gemstone information when you need it.

Become a Member

Get Gemology Insights

Get started with the International Gem Society’s free guide to gemstone identification. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist!