Aquamarine is a blue-green gemstone that's a variety of the mineral beryl. It's the birthstone for March and is often used in jewelry.

What it looks like: 

• Aquamarine is usually light in tone, ranging from greenish blue to blue-green.

• Larger stones tend to have more intense color.

• Darker blue stones are more valuable.

• Aquamarine can be transparent to translucent.

Where it comes from: 

• Aquamarine forms in granite pegmatites and hydrothermal veins.

• It can take millions of years to form.

• Aquamarine is found in many countries around the world.

What it's used for: 

• Aquamarine is a popular gemstone used in jewelry like rings, necklaces, and bracelets.

• It's also used for decoration.

What its name means: 

• The name "aquamarine" comes from the Latin words aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning "of the sea".

What its value depends on: 

• The value of aquamarine is determined by its weight, color, cut, and clarity.

Raw, mined, aquamarine beryl.