T he beryl family provides many well known gems. Some of the major sources include Colombia, Brazil, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Aquamarine B lue or greenish beryl. This heat-treating results in permanent color change and duplicates natural heating that occurs in areas of volcanic activity. Aquamarine often occurs in very large sizes, usually with very good clarity.
Brazil is the largest source.
In recent years, the price of aquamarine has declined somewhat, as an abundance of inexpensive blue topaz look-alikes has flooded the market, but large, fine aquas are still highly prized. The best known sources include Colombia, Zambia. Almost all emeralds contain numerous small inclusions and fractures that promote fragility. Most stones on the market are impregnated with oils, waxes, or other substances to mask the fractures and sometimes enhance color. Such stones should never be cleaned with ultrasound, as it may remove or damage the impregnating substance.