HOW TO TELL IF AQUAMARINE IS REAL

The best way to identify a genuine aquamarine stone is by looking at its color. In its natural form, a genuine aquamarine will have a pale blue color akin to seawater. It may also have a slightly green or yellow hue to it.

The color of a real aquamarine gemstone varies depending on the angle from which it is gazed at. As a result, it may appear quite pale from one viewpoint while displaying a vivid blue from another. Fake aquamarine stones, on the other hand (typically glass imitations), will have the same color no matter what angle you look at them from.

Another way you can tell a genuine aquamarine stone from a faux stone is by its hardness--aquamarines don't collect scratches easily. They are, however, capable of easily scratching glass and other delicate surfaces. If you see any obvious scratches on the stone in question, it is most likely a fake aquamarine. But, yes, sometimes, even a real aquamarine can be scratched, but it would take a great deal of force to do so, so it is less likely.

A genuine aquamarine stone will have excellent clarity and transparency. If you spot inclusions on the questionable stone, be very suspicious, as practically every genuine aquamarine stone is eye-clean.

Examining an aquamarine in a light source is one of the most crucial things you can do to determine whether it is genuine or fake. Hold the stone up to the light, either natural or artificial, and observe how the light flows through it. A real aquamarine gemstone is usually transparent or translucent, which means that light can travel through it rather easily. If the stone appears murky or opaque, it is most likely a fake aquamarine stone.

A genuine aquamarine stone is chilly to the touch. However, a fake aquamarine stone is warmer to the touch due to glass's poor heat conductivity. So if you want to check if your aquamarine is real, simply opt for a cold touch test!

Examine the luster of the questionable stone. The luster of glass imitations is often more "gaudy" or "glassy" in appearance compared to genuine aquamarine stones.

Another thing to beware of is synthetic blue spinels. These are the artificial counterparts of stones like aquamarine. Synthetic blue spinels are produced easily in laboratories, using a combination of the mineral and chemical components found in genuine aquamarines.

However, a trained eye can distinguish a synthetic blue spinel gem from other beryls; the blue color is usually gaudy, its luster & fire are too bright, the luster appears glassy, and light dispersion is low.

A Chelsea color filter is a small, hand-held tool that helps gemologists identify different types of stones. To use one, hold the filter up to your eye and look at the stone through it.

You can differentiate a synthetic blue spinel from a real aquamarine by holding the stone under a strong light source and looking at it through a Chelsea color filter. The blue synthetic spinel will show a bright orange or red, while a real aquamarine stone will appear a distinct green since it effectively cuts out the deep red.

Aquamarine stones are easily available but still command a reasonable price. If the cost of aquamarine is extremely low, they are likely faux stones. Conversely, if the price is too high, the seller may be trying to take advantage of you. So do your research to get a ballpark idea of what a fair price for aquamarine should be before purchasing.

The cost of aquamarine varies depending on multiple factors. For example, larger aquamarine stones cost between $300 and $600 per carat. The most vibrant colors attract the highest prices, with exceptional quality Santa Maria aquamarines fetching over $1,000 per carat.