Gems of the Ocean
- Wendy Penrose
- Jun 17
- 3 min read
Gemstones that tell the story of your favourite seascapes
Every gemstone tells a story— written millions of years before it finds its way into a
piece of jewellery. The one's I'm always drawn to are those that capture the essence of marine landscapes.
The Geological Poetry of Aquamarine
Aquamarine appears like a fragment of the ocean captured in crystalline form and this is why it's my very favourite gemstone. Its name, derived from the Latin "aqua marina" meaning "sea water," is no coincidence.
Aquamarine's range of blues—from the palest, almost transparent sky-blue to deep oceanic teal—mirrors the complex palette of coastal waters so perfectly.
Nature's Perfect Imperfections: An aquamarine with natural inclusions reminds me of sunlight filtering through sea glass. A stone with a slightly rough texture evokes the weathered surfaces of coastal rocks.
Beyond Aquamarine: A Broader Seascape of Stones…
While aquamarine remains my signature stone, there are other gems that I love to include in my design palette to capture the complexity of coastal and oceanic environments.
Sapphires: The Deep Ocean's Jewel
Blue / green sapphires are nature's masterpieces of marine beauty. From the deep navy of midnight ocean depths to the vibrant teal of tropical shallow and every shade in between, these stones tell stories of pressure, transformation, and resilience.
Origin: Primarily sourced from Sri Lanka Madagascar, Australia and Montana USA
Characteristics:
- Deep blue to blue-green hues
- Exceptional durability (9 on the Mohs scale)
- Unique color-changing properties in some specimens
Indicolite Tourmaline: The Lagoon's Secret
A rare variety of tourmaline that captures the most elusive blue-green tones, reminiscent of
tropical waters meeting dense coastal vegetation.
Origin: Brazil, Afghanistan, and Pakistan
Characteristics:
- Intense blue-green coloration
- Unique pleochroic properties- Exceptional rarity
Blue Spinel: The Hidden Marine Treasure
Often overlooked, blue spinel offers a crystalline clarity that mirrors the most pristine ocean waters.
Origin: Sri Lanka, Myanmar
Characteristics:
- Vibrant blue tones
- Exceptional brilliance
- Less common than other blue stones
Kyanite: Deep Ocean Memories
With its blade-like crystal structure and oceanic blue hues, kyanite represents the raw, unfiltered
beauty of marine geological formations.
Origin: Brazil, Nepal, United States
Characteristics:
- Distinctive blue to blue-green color
- Unique blade-like crystal formation
- Varying transparency
Blue Diamonds: Rare Marine Whispers
The rarest of marine-inspired stones, blue diamonds are geological miracles that capture the most ethereal ocean blues.
Origin: Primarily the Cullinan Mine in South Africa or alternatively Lab grown diamonds for a more sustainable option.
Characteristics:
- Intense, pure blue coloration
Blue Green Zircon: Coastal Light Captured
A stone that reflects the exact moment where sea meets sky, zircon offers an unparalleled play of
blue and green.
Origin: Cambodia, Sri Lanka
Characteristics:
- Exceptional brilliance
- Wide range of blue-green hues
Apatite: The Tropical Water Stone
With colours ranging from Caribbean blue to sea-foam green, apatite captures the lighter, more
translucent aspects of marine landscapes.
Origin: Brazil, Mexico, Canada
Characteristics:
- Soft, delicate coloration
- Varying transparency
- Unique optical properties
Tanzanite: Deep Ocean Mysteries
A stone of deep blue with hints of violet, reminiscent of the ocean's most mysterious depths.
Origin: Exclusively found in Tanzania
Characteristics:
- Distinctive blue-violet hue
- Limited geographical source
- Remarkable color-change properties
Blue Opals: Oceanic Fire
Unlike their more famous white counterparts, blue opals capture the dynamic, shifting nature of ocean waters.
Origin: Peru
Characteristics:
- Unique blue fire
- Unpredictable color play
- Delicate, complex structure
Blue Moonstone: Lunar Ocean Reflections
Capturing the ethereal quality of moonlight on water, blue moonstone offers a more mystical
marine interpretation.
Origin: Sri Lanka, India
Characteristics:
- Soft, ethereal blue sheen
- Unique optical phenomenon
- Subtle, romantic appearance
For more affordable additions to the marine palette here are some others to consider…
Chalcedony:
With its smooth, waxy finish, chalcedony comes in soft pastel blue and blue-green hues.
- Larimar: The Caribbean's "dolphin stone," with its unique blue-white patterns
- Blue Topaz: Reflecting the crystalline waters of tropical lagoons
- Sea Glass Inspired Pieces: The translucent beauty of softly etched glass with its matt texture and subtle watery colour is so reminiscent of a childhood spent filling pockets with this sea treasure.
An Invitation to Explore
Each stone has its unique beauty, When you design a bespoke piece with me you choose the individual gemstones that best reflect your own stories of the sea so you can capture those precious memories and carry them around with you every day.
Wendy Penrose
Artisan Goldsmith & Ocean Storyteller
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