Aquamarine is a blue variety of the mineralberyl. It receives its name from its seawater-blue color. It ranges from a very light blue to a deep, richly saturated blue. Most people prefer the richer, more saturated blue gems, and they are the most expensive.

Light blue beryls with a low saturation are also called aquamarine. They are much less costly and are used to make inexpensive jewelry.

The mineral beryl occurs in a variety of colors. The most popular is the deep green gemstone known as emerald. Aquamarine is the second most popular gem of beryl.

Most people don’t know that there is another blue beryl. It is a very dark blue gem known as “maxixe” (pronounced mashish). Its color is produced within the Earth by exposure to natural radiation. Its color is unstable, and it quickly fades to a pale color with exposure to light.