The source describes a five-centimetre beryl crystal in quartz from Brazil. Follow the long blue-green crystal and compare it with the surrounding pale quartz.
Eurico Zimbres and Tom Epaminondas / CC BY-SA 2.5 (via Wikimedia Commons). Original image; displayed at a smaller size.Identification clues
Aquamarine often forms elongated, six-sided crystals with a glassy shine. Colour can be quite pale, and a rough specimen may contain fractures or cloudy areas. The reference photograph shows a blue-green crystal against pale quartz, not a polished gemstone.
Mineral facts and formation
Aquamarine is a colour variety of beryl, the same mineral species as emerald. Beryl can grow as large crystals. A variety name describes part of its character; it does not reveal the mine, treatment history or quality of a particular stone.
Lookalikes and useful comparisons
Compare aquamarine with our rough emerald specimen to explore two beryl varieties. Pale blue glass and other minerals can imitate the colour of aquamarine, so use colour as an observation rather than a final identification.
Care for a display specimen
Protect crystals from hard knocks and heat. GIA recommends warm soapy water for aquamarine gemstones, but an attached matrix, repair or fragile inclusion can need different care. For an unfamiliar rough specimen, use the gentler display-care approach and avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaning.
Read the full crystal care guide →Look a little closer
Try this observation.
Follow the long blue crystal in the photograph from one end to the other. Record changes in colour and transparency, then describe its contrast with the surrounding pale material.
Does a blue colour prove that the stone is aquamarine?
No. Several materials can look similar, and a photograph cannot confirm mineral identity or treatment. Keep the seller’s description and any reliable identification report with the specimen.
Sources and further reading
Reference information checked 4 October 2026. These sources describe minerals generally; they do not identify a particular stone.