The clear blue of aquamarine attracts jewellery makers and gem collectors alike. Its tone flatters all skin colours and harmonizes with all precious metals. It is relatively easy to cut and can often be found in innovative shapes, as cutters experiment with new forms. Aquamarine is a member of the beryl group. Beryl commonly occurs as an accessory mineral in granites, and is usually found in cavities and in granite pegmatites. Beryl is usually clear, but iron content gives aquamarine its characteristic blue colour. Beryl crystals in some pegmatites grow to very large sizes, even up to 10 metres (30 feet) – aquamarine crystals of up to 1 metre (3 feet) long are not uncommon. Aquamarine is also sometimes found in stream gravels. It is generally free from inclusions, meaning that it is a durable stone; this is also why it is easy to cut. However, inclusions of biotite, RUTILE , PYRITE , and HAEMATITE are possible. The major source of aquamarine is the state of Minas Gerais, southeast…