Aquamarines are gemstones with a color range of greenish blue to blue. The color arises as a result of trace amounts of iron. Stones with a rich blue color are the most popular as they are the rarest. Aquamarines are mostly mined in Brazil, Madagascar, Afghanistan, and Mozambique. On the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, aquamarines measure 7.5 – 8.0 (after diamonds, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and chrysoberyl). Tenacity is the resistance the gemstone offers to breakage. An aquamarine is brittle; thus, it is easily chipped upon impact. Aquamarines with a deeper hue of color are much more expensive and rarer, thus aquamarine stones with a rich blue color are more valuable. Most natural aquamarines have a greenish blue color which is not the ideal color. However, gentle heat treatment can improve the gem’s color to a purer blue. Synthetic aquamarines are lab-grown and can be produced by hydrothermal growth methods. Although, to the naked eye differentiating synthetics from natural aquamarines may be impossible. However, a microscopic examination by a qualified gemologist could discern the two types of gemstones.