FeatureGems & Gemology, Fall 2009, Volume 45, No. 3

Aquamarine from the Masino-Bregaglia Massif, Central Alps, Italy

Rosangela Bocchio, Ilaria Adamo, Franca Caucia

Aquamarine from granitic pegmatites of the Masino-Bregaglia Massif, Central Alps, Italy, is investigated by classical gemological methods, LA-ICP-MS chemical analyses, and UV-Vis-NIR and mid-IR spectroscopy. This beryl has typical gemological properties for aquamarine, including iron absorption features, and is characterized by a low alkali content and both types I and II water molecules. Although so far only a small amount of this aquamarine has been polished into gems, it represents an attractive gem material of potential economic interest.

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Aquamarine from the Masino-Bregaglia Massif, Central Alps, Italy | Gems & Gemology