The March birthstone is known for its icy blue color that energizes as well as calms. Aquamarine is a member of the beryl mineral family and has emerald and morganite as its cousins. It was discovered in Brazil and is mainly mined there. In the past decade aquamarine has emerged as a popular engagement ring gemstone. However, aquamarine rings, pendants and earrings have been relevant for a long time. Here are five of the world’s most famous aquamarines:
- The Roosevelt Aquamarine
- The Dom Pedro Aquamarine
- Brazilian Aquamarine parure
- Princess Diana’s Aquamarine Ring
- Hirsch Aquamarine
The Roosevelt Aquamarine
In 1936 The President and his wife made a state visit to Brazil. The Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas presented The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt with an emerald cut aquamarine. Brazil is known for its Aquamarines, and this particular stone has a rich, deep blue color which is relatively rare amongst aquamarines.
It weighs approximately 1,298 carats and is the second largest Aquamarine in the world. The ‘Roosevelt Aquamarine’ as it came to be known has been housed in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York since 1947.
The Dom Pedro Aquamarine
While the Roosevelt Aquamarine has great historical significance, the Don Pedro Aquamarine is the largest aquamarine in the world. It is named Dom Pedro after the founding emperors of Brazil, Pedro I and Pedro II.
It weighs a staggering 10,363 carats and has been cut into a tower (14 inches long and 4 inches wide) by the famous German lapidary, Berndt Munsteiner. It’s on display in the Janet Annenberg Hooker Hall of Geology, at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
Brazilian Aquamarine parure
When Queen Elizabeth was proclaimed the Monarch of the United Kingdom in 1952, she was showered with gifts from dignitaries, aristocrats and political leaders from around the globe. The Brazilian president sent her a set of aquamarine necklace and aquamarine earrings on behalf of the people of Brazil.
The set became one of the Queen’s favorites. She had her court jewelers create a matching tiara, brooch and bracelet to accompany the gift from the Brazillians. Although the queen is known to favor smaller tiaras, the imposing Brazilian Aquamarine parure has remained one of her favorites and she continued to wear it to numerous white color events.
Princess Diana’s Aquamarine Ring
Princess Diana’s aquamarine ring is arguably the most famous aquamarine ring in the world. It features a 13-carat emerald cut aquamarine embellished with small round cut white diamonds on the side and is set in white gold.
It is believed to be a replacement for the sapphire engagement ring after she separated from Charles in 1997. The ring was a proclamation of independence. Unfortunately, Princess Diana wore it only twice before her tragic death. The ring came back into the limelight in 2018, when Diana’s son Prince Harry gifted the ring to his wife, Megan Markle.
Hirsch Aquamarine
The Hirsch aquamarine is a 109.92 carat gemstone shaped in a fancy emerald cut. It is 100% natural and has a bright aquatic blue color that aquamarines are famous for. The Hirsch aquamarine was once owned by the French Emperor Louis XV.
He turned it into a pendant set in 18k White gold and with 118 white diamonds tracing an intricate design over the surface of the gemstone. The emperor was prone to anxious feelings and found the Hirsch aquamarine to be incredibly soothing. This isn’t surprising given that the blue gemstone is associated with clarity, serenity and harmony.
Other Notable Aquamarine Gemstones
Apart from the top five aquamarine gemstones listed above, there are a few more to please your visual senses. One of them is an 898 ct flawless aquamarine which is on display in the Natural History Museum of London. Then there is a slightly smaller gemstone in the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, weighing 638 ct. And if you’re from Chicago, you must see the 148.5 ct Schlumberger Bow aquamarine at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago.
If you feel inspired by this world-famous collection then be sure to have a look at our inventory of aquamarine jewelry and gemstones.
