💎 Valuation guide
Aquamarine: price and value per carat
Aquamarine is the sea-blue variety of beryl, sister to emerald. Clean and durable, its value rises with the depth and purity of its blue.
$30 – $1,500+indicative range / carat
Aquamarine is the sea-blue variety of beryl, sister to emerald. Clean and durable, its value rises with the depth and purity of its blue.
Aquamarine is graded mostly on how deep and pure-blue its color is; the best stones glow without greyness.
A deep, pure blue (originally Santa Maria de Itabira, Brazil). The most coveted and valuable grade.
The familiar light blue of most jewelry; clean, bright and excellent value.
Rarely, fine needles create a chatoyant band in a cabochon — a collectible effect.
Six main criteria determine the price per carat. It is their combination that sets the final value.
The leading factor: a deep, pure blue (less green, no grey) is most valuable. Pale stones are abundant and inexpensive.
Brazil (Santa Maria, Marambaia) is the benchmark; Mozambique and Pakistan supply fine deep blues.
Most aquamarine is gently heated to remove green/yellow tints and enhance blue; this is standard and stable.
Aquamarine is typically very clean; eye-visible inclusions reduce value noticeably.
Large clean stones are common, so deep color matters more than size for value per carat.
A report from a recognized lab (GIA, SSEF, Gübelin, GRS, AGL) confirms identity, origin and treatment, securing the valuation and resale.
A rich, pure blue is the goal; the famous "Santa Maria" grade describes the deepest, most coveted color.
Greyish or very pale stones are plentiful and far cheaper.
Aquamarine usually forms very clean, so eye-clean is expected and inclusions count against value.
Gentle heating to improve blue is routine, stable and accepted across the trade.
Geographic origin can be a strong prestige marker that weighs on value.
Santa Maria and Marambaia: the deepest blues.
High for fine blueFine deep-blue material ("Santa Maria Africana").
Mid-high priceClean bright blues from high-altitude mines.
Mid priceGood commercial supply.
AccessibleWide range of blues.
AccessibleGreenish to blue material.
AccessibleIllustrative price index (2010 = 100) for fine, certified stones.
Fine Santa Maria-grade aquamarine has appreciated as deep-blue rough becomes scarcer.
Pale commercial stones remain affordable and plentiful.
Illustrative figures for fine, certified stones — not financial advice.
Orders of magnitude for a faceted aquamarine — deep Santa Maria-grade stones sit at the top.
Indicative estimates — they do not replace a laboratory appraisal.
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