AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine is silicate of aluminium and beryllium and is very hard but fragile (it splinters easily). It is a blue variety of beryl and a member of the oxide group.

It has a unique colouring which may vary from green to blue and is usually consistent throughout the gemstone. It's colour arises from the impurities it contains and can be enhanced by heating. It's colour may vary when viewed from different angles. It has a glassy sheen and may be imitated by glass.

It was used by the Greeks and Romans for jewellery

It occurs mainly in pegmatite rocks and secondary deposits.

The most beautiful samples can be found in Brazil. It can also be found in Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan and in the Urals.

AVENTURINE

Aventurine is a form of quartz and a member of the oxide group. It is white when pure but it's colour varies due to the presence of inclusions such as mica, pyrite, fuchsite, chlorite and hematite. It is similar in appearance to amazonite and jade and may also be mistaken for emerald.

It gets it's name from the Italian word avventura which means chance. This is thought to be because most specimens were found by accident.

It is widely used for ornaments such as vases and jewellery.

The finest specimens can be found worldwide in igneous, metamorphic or sedimentary rocks.

It may be found in Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, India.