Precious gemstones like aquamarine are often valued on their identifying characteristics. As with diamonds, one of aquamarine’s most important factors is clarity. That isn’t to say, however, that inclusions often found in these gems are not a welcome sight. In fact, inclusions are one of its most interesting and most common occurring features. One just needs to learn about aquamarine’s inclusions before visiting Reading jewellery shops to realise what is worthy of collector’s attention.
Eye-Clean
Aquamarines that are usually cut and faceted are eye-clean. The term eye-clean means that the gem appears to be free of inclusions when viewed in daylight by the naked eye at a relatively short distance. It is, however, almost impossible to find an aquamarine with no inclusions whatsoever as it is often a defining feature. Eye-clean aquamarine are typically used as a centrepiece for jewellery. For instance, aquamarine with exceptional clarity are often set on rings after they have been finished and cut. Sometimes, you may find that they are used to complement other precious gemstones like diamonds in a display case of a jewellery shop in Reading or anywhere else.
Types of Inclusions
Inclusions are naturally occurring in aquamarine due to the composition of the material. Some of the most common types of inclusions that can be found in aquamarine include rain inclusions, feathers with 2-phase inclusions and long parallel channels. Upon closer inspection, these inclusions appear to be long hollow or liquid-filled tubes.
Though differences between these inclusions are only visible to the trained eye or with magnification, they all result to one of most visibly striking phenomena called the cat’s eye. To produce cat’s eyes, proper gemstone cutting, or lapidary, must be performed. Aquamarine with the distinctive cat’s eye are highly prized by collectors, even fetching prices close to otherwise clean, faceted and seemingly unblemished gems of the same colouring.
These same inclusions can also produce a star pattern that is even rarer and more expensive than the cat’s eye. One of the most famous gems bearing the signature star pattern is the Martha Rocha aquamarine with its unique snow-star inclusions.
Aquamarine with eye-visible inclusions are usually used for cabochons, carvings or beads. They even look more breath-taking if the aquamarine used are of the translucent or opaque sort. Gems with visible inclusions also make for fetching jewellery like rings or pendants.
Sources:
Aquamarine Quality Factors, Gemological Institute of America
Aquamarine Value, Price, And Jewelry Information, International Gem Society