Legendary Aquamarine Discoveries

Aquamarine crystals found in the rough. Erongo Mountain, Erongo Region, Namibia. Photo by Géry Parent, Flickr. CC BY-ND 2.0   Aquamarine generally grows in large crystal formations. It is not uncommon for prospectors to recover substantial specimens. Oftentimes, these specimens are incorporated into a matrix of white feldspar, garnet, black quartz, and mica.  

Diane's Pocket Aquamarine

Such is the case for the world's largest aquamarine found in North America. In July 2004, Stephen Brancato traveled to his claim site at Mount Antero, which stands in the Sawatch Mountain Range of Colorado. Having discovered topaz at the site previously, he hoped to find more. At first, Brancato found the dig somewhat boring. Of course, that changed when a 25-carat, hexagonal, sea blue crystal rolled down and hit him in the knee. Straightaway, he unearthed a cavity as large as a garbage can lid. For the next day and a half, Brancato dug with gusto. Eventually, he tunneled down 6 feet below the surface. His description of the dig conjures images of a frenzied mad man. “I was burning out batteries on my head lamp. I was cold, but I didn’t know it, and my fingers were bleeding, but I didn’t care.” (source) Halfway through that second day, a friend of his climbed up to find him surrounded by crystals. After another day and half of digging together, the two friends amassed over 100 aquamarine crystals, as well as a large cache of garnet, black quartz, mica, and white feldspar. The two friends spent the next couple of weeks hauling the crystal-embedded clay and dirt down the mountain. Loading it into backpacks, they walked it out to an ATV parked down the mountainside.  

Matrix Reassembled

Brancato wanted to see the shattered matrix reassembled into a glorious whole. To that end, he contacted the president of Collector’s Edge Minerals Inc., Bryan Lees. Lees connected Brancato to Bruce Oreck, a Denver mineral collector and trustee for the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Oreck paid Brancato a sum in the low six figures for specimen. With the money, Brancato paid for the reconstruction of the specimen, as well as funding his company, Bona Fide Mining, Inc. To reconstruct the original specimen, the individual crystals were epoxied into the white feldspar. In its final form, the crystal measures 37 x 25 inches and weighs close to 100 pounds. Oreck then donated the specimen to the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. Brancato named the specimen Diane's Pocket, after his mother. It remains on permanent display in the museum's Coors Gem and Mineral Hall.  

1910 & More

As you read about this next legendary aquamarine discovery, keep in mind that the crystals Brancato found measured about an inch in length and about a quarter of an inch in width. In 1910, arguably the most legendary aquamarine crystal was discovered in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This pristine hexagonal crystal weighed an astonishing 243 pounds! The gorgeous crystal appeared greenish on the surface and blue within its depths. Measuring 19 x 16 inches, miners sold the stone to gem cutters. From this one crystal, gem cutters faceted more than 100,000 carats of gemstone-quality aquamarines. (source) People who saw the whole crystal commented on its transparency which allowed perfect visualization of distant objects through its length. Presently, another legendary aquamarine holds court in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Weighing a substantial 1,298 carats, this rectangular step-cut aquamarine formerly belonged to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. To begin with, the rough crystal weighed 2.9 pounds. This was then cut into two faceted stones. The Brazilian government gifted the larger of the two stones to the First Lady in 1936. Two additional aquamarines require mention. First of all, the flawless step-cut gem weighing 879.5 carats. This sea green beauty calls the British Museum of Natural History home. Finally, a Russian aquamarine weighing 1,271 carats remains on display at the American Museum of Natural History. Undoubtedly, aquamarine endures as one of Earth's most mesmerizing semi-precious gemstones. At EraGem, we take pride in our collection of gorgeous aquamarine jewels. Please call us today and let our knowledgeable staff help you find the perfect one to add to your collection. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews