Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a variety of beryl that is sky blue to sea green in colour.

Nineteen48’s aquamarine comes from artisanal mines around Ratnapura in Sri Lanka and the Tanga region of Tanzania (through the Moyo Gems project).

The Sri Lankan gems tend to be paler in colour and have few inclusions. The aquamarine from the Tanzanian miners can come in larger sizes with a deeper colour and fascinating inclusions.

Our aquamarine is not treated in any way to affect the colour or clarity.

Tanzania has been a source of gemstones for decades. Most of the gem mining is either artisanal or small-scale (ASM). It is known for being the country where we find tanzanite, probably its most famous gemstone, which is much rarer than diamond. Other gemstones mined in Tanzania include sapphire, ruby, spinel and tsavorite garnet.

Miners often work in small teams using only hand tools, but there are also mines with some more advanced mechanisation. Gem mining has become an important part of the Tanzanian economy and mining overall is a significant employer, often providing income in communities where the opportunities to make a living are limited.

Gemstone mining in Tanzania is primarily overseen by the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission, but there are also a number of other trade bodies and associations that represent the sector.