• 1.19ct sky blue rectangle cushion cut Aquamarine
• Measures 8 x 5.87 x 3.75mm
• Purchased from Sauda in Tanzania
• Cut by artisanal cutters in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Aquamarine is the light blue variety of beryl that is plentiful in East Africa, and like citrine and amethyst, is often found in large pieces of rough. Its name comes from the latin for “seawater” and its tranquil blue to greenish-blue hues still evokes that ocean imagery today. Faceted aquamarine is often very “eye clean” or transparent, although we love even the more included aquas here at ANZA, as they have their own unique charm. ANZA does not treat our aquamarine in any way.

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March.

Gems from the heart

Moyo means 'heart' in Kiswahili. Our new project expands our Moyo Gems cutting from one person in the US, Beth Stier, to a group of five independent artisanal cutters in Chiang Mai, Thailand. These gems are beautifully precision cut by Gao and Khal (husband + wife) along with Lek, Yod, and Albert. Gao does all the dopping and polishing and Albert cuts the majority of the melee-sized gems. This kind of cutting efficiency can allow us to purchase more of the smaller East African rough gems, which brings fully traceable gemstone melee to the market AND provides a valuable outlet for the gem miners in East Africa: win/win!

A Moyo gem gives back a higher percentage of the sale than an ANZA gem, and this amount is re-invested into the Moyo Gems program to help run market days and support local community needs.

SKU #M81135