Expert Insight: The Aquamarine Gemstone
To wear an aquamarine is to carry a frozen drop of seawater on your hand. While commercially known as the March birthstone, the aquamarine holds a mystique that transcends calendars. It is a talisman of clarity, serenity, and eternal youth. Belonging to the illustrious beryl family—the sister to the Emerald (green) and Morganite (pink)—a fine aquamarine is not defined merely by its name, but by its ability to hold an intense, electric blue gaze that captivates from across the room.
Ultimate Guide to Aquamarine Ring
The “Santa Maria” Benchmark
In the world of high jewellery, not all aquamarines are created equal. The commercial market is flooded with “icy blue” stones that often appear washed out or near-colourless. At GIOIA Fine Jewellery, we pursue a different standard known as the Santa Maria grade. Originally discovered in the Santa Maria de Itabira mines of Brazil, these rare gems possessed a deeply saturated, electric blue intensity that set the global benchmark.
With the original Brazilian deposits now largely depleted, the hunt for this legendary colour has shifted to Africa. Today, the finest “Santa Maria African” aquamarines are ethically sourced from specific pockets in Mozambique (specifically the Nampula and Zambezia provinces). These stones rival their Brazilian predecessors, offering a vivid ocean-blue hue that requires no imagination to see.
Investment Value: Unlike commercial quality stones, unheated and Santa Maria grade aquamarines are becoming increasingly rare. As specific mines in Africa face depletion, these deeply saturated gems are not just jewellery; they are becoming sought-after legacy assets.
Aquamarine Engagement Rings: A Symbol of Deep Love
For the couple seeking a symbol of love as deep as the ocean, an aquamarine engagement ring offers a sophisticated alternative to the traditional diamond. Unlike the deep, midnight tones of a blue sapphire, fine aquamarines exhibit a vibrant, refreshing blue that radiates modern elegance. It is the perfect choice for the bride who values clarity, brilliance, and a touch of non-traditional charm.
The GIOIA Standard: Colour & Clarity for Heirlooms
Not all aquamarine gemstones are suitable for a lifetime of wear. Our selection process is stringent: we meticulously filter out colourless pastel tones and stones with visible inclusions. We present only the finest “Santa Maria” grade gems—a marriage of intense colour and impeccable clarity. This ensures your aquamarine engagement ring is more than just a piece of jewellery, but a durable heirloom symbolising pure, everlasting love.
The ring featured above showcases a geometrical square-cut aquamarine with a captivating oceanic glow. Enhanced by the brilliant sparkle of diamond accents, the strategic placement of these diamonds intensifies the gemstone’s unique saturation, creating an enchanting visual symphony that promises to captivate any onlooker.
Durability for Daily Wear
Beyond its mesmerising colour, aquamarine is an exceptionally practical choice for daily wear. Ranking 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, it is durable enough to withstand the rigours of daily life, making it an excellent candidate for a unique aquamarine engagement ring.
Designing Bespoke Aquamarine Jewellery
As a bespoke fine jeweller in Singapore, we take pride in crafting gemstone engagement rings that are as unique as your love story. When selecting a coloured gemstone like aquamarine, photos often fail to capture the stone’s true “fire” and brilliance. Variations in lighting and camera angles can be misleading.
We strongly recommend viewing these gems in person, under natural daylight. At GIOIA, we provide a personalised consultation to help you understand the unique characteristics (cut, colour, and clarity) of each stone. Whether it is a vintage Art Deco design or a modern solitaire, we guide you through every step of the creation process to ensure your ring exceeds expectations.
Signature Design Styles
Modern Art Deco
A perfect blend of elegance and vintage charm, this design is inspired by the Art Deco era. It features a cushion-cut aquamarine with a soft blue hue, while the band is subtly adorned with delicate round brilliant diamonds. This gemstone ring’s design is accented by sleek white gold detailing, adding a touch of sophistication.
Modern Men’s Aquamarine Rings: Cool & Commanding
While often associated with feminine elegance, the deep, intense saturation of a Santa Maria Aquamarine is increasingly sought after for men’s jewellery. The cool steel-blue tones pair exceptionally well with Platinum or Unplated Champagne Gold for a masculine, industrial aesthetic that defines the modern gentleman.
- The Signet Ring: We craft bold, heavy-weight signet rings featuring emerald-cut aquamarines flush-set for a sleek, snag-free profile.
- The Sailor’s Talisman: Historically worn by sailors for protection at sea, a men’s aquamarine ring is a modern symbol of fearless leadership and clarity of mind.
Expert Care Tip: Keeping the Sparkle
While aquamarine is durable, it has a tendency to attract natural oils from lotions and skin, which can temporarily dull its shine. We recommend a simple cleaning routine: soak your aquamarine ring in warm, soapy water and gently brush behind the stone with a soft toothbrush. This removes the oil build-up and restores that signature electric blue “pop” instantly.
Cluster Gemstone Ring
Specialising in customised creations, we bring your dream engagement ring to life with cluster gemstones design. This unique aquamarine cluster ring is complemented with a carefully selected palette of fancy gemstones. Each piece features an intricate arrangement of round brilliant tourmalines, amethysts, diamonds, and unique fancy spinels. These gemstones are chosen for their vibrant colours and luminosity, adding depth and contrast to the serene blue of the aquamarine.
The Ultimate March Birthstone Gift Celebrating Life’s Milestones
Aquamarine is the definitive birthstone for March and the gemstone for the 19th wedding anniversary. But you don’t need a calendar date to gift it. Its association with eternal youth and serenity makes it a thoughtful “push present” or a graduation gift symbolising a clear future.
- Cocktail Rings: For a statement piece, we recommend large carat sizes (5.0ct+) in oval or pear cuts. Because aquamarine crystals grow large and clean, you can achieve impressive size without the exponential price jump seen in sapphires or rubies.
Unique Shapes & Fancy Cuts
From classic round brilliance and emerald step cuts to unique fancy marquise and exceptional trilliants, aquamarine is versatile. Similar to a diamond’s sparkle, the triangular trillion shape exhibits sharp brilliance with mesmerising fire. The design below showcases a unique trillion aquamarine diamond ring, flanked by a round brilliant diamond and a fancy marquise cut, creating a dainty and timeless silhouette.
Aquamarine Wedding Bands
Complete the Look: Stackable Bands & Men’s Rings
An aquamarine solitaire pairs beautifully with our signature stackable floral-inspired wedding bands. For example, the set featured here is a ladies’ band designed with naturalistic flora details in champagne and white gold, stacking flawlessly with the twisted matte-polished solitaire. Even the men’s band can be customised to match, featuring a similar lagoon tourmaline or aquamarine accent in a constellation-inspired design.
High Jewellery & The Royal Connection
Mesmerising aquamarine high jewellery captures the essence of elegance and distinction. Extraordinary symmetrical cuts, like the Asscher cut shown below, stand out with unparalleled brilliance. The aquamarine gemstone has long been a favourite of the British Royal Family. The late Princess Diana was famous for her love of aquamarines, a passion famously carried on by the Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, who wore Diana’s iconic Asprey aquamarine cocktail ring to her wedding reception. Such pieces have solidified the aquamarine’s status not just as a birthstone, but as a symbol of modern royalty and prestige.
Start Your Bespoke Journey
At GIOIA Fine Jewellery, we artfully transform extraordinary gems into an array of bespoke jewellery masterpieces. Each creation, be it a delicately crafted pendant or a pair of sophisticated earrings, holds within it a narrative of elegance and serenity. Discover the GIOIA difference, where every jewellery piece is uniquely designed and crafted with passion, precision, and a deep understanding of the gemstone characteristics. Book a consultation today to design your own signature aquamarine jewellery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to commonly asked questions about our aquamarine jewellery.
What is the symbolic meaning of an aquamarine ring?
Historically, aquamarine was believed to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. In marriage, it symbolises harmony, clarity, and everlasting youth. It is said to ensure a happy marriage by cooling tempers and promoting open communication—a perfect sentiment for a proposal.
Can I resize my aquamarine ring in the future?
Yes. As a bespoke jeweller, we design our rings with future adjustments in mind. Aquamarine is stable to heat, making it safe for resizing by our master craftsmen. However, eternity bands (diamonds going all the way around) are difficult to resize, so we recommend a 3/4 eternity design for flexibility.
Aquamarine vs. Blue Sapphire: Which should I choose?
Choose Aquamarine if you prefer a bright, refreshing “ocean blue” with high clarity and sparkle. Choose Blue Sapphire if you prefer a darker, navy or royal blue tone and require maximum durability. Aquamarine offers a modern, sophisticated look, while Sapphire is more traditional.
Can I stack a wedding band flush against my Aquamarine ring?
Yes. Because Aquamarines are often cut in deeper fancy shapes (like Emerald or Cushion cuts), standard wedding bands might leave a gap. At GIOIA, we design the customised engagement ring setting with a “lifted” basket or create stackable wedding bands (like our floral or constellation designs) to ensure a seamless, flush fit.
Can we source a specific birthstone to add to the aquamarine ring?
Absolutely. As seen in our cluster designs, many grooms choose to add small side stones representing their own birthstone (like a small Sapphire or Spinel) next to the main Aquamarine. This adds a hidden layer of personal storytelling to the engagement ring.
