Aquamarine
Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Archaeodontosaurus" title="User:Archaeodontosaurus">Didier Descouens</a> (CC BY 4.0)
Mineral NameAquamarine
Chemical FormulaBe₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈
Mohs Hardness7.5
Crystal Systemhexagonal
Lustervitreous
Streak Colorwhite
Cleavageimperfect basal
Fractureconchoidal to uneven
Specific Gravity2.68
Colorsblue, blue-green, pale blue
Transparencytransparent to translucent
Type LocalityMinas Gerais, Brasil
Mineral GroupSilicates
Usesjewelry, collector specimens
Associated Mineralsalbite, quartz, muscovite, tourmaline
Rarityuncommon
Description
A prominent, pale blue-green hexagonal aquamarine crystal is partially embedded in a matrix of white, granular albite.
Geological Context
Aquamarine typically forms in granitic pegmatites and hydrothermal veins, often found in association with other pegmatitic minerals like feldspar and mica.
