8.44 Ct. Blue Aquamarine from Brazil

This 8.44 carat oval aquamarine presents an exceptional combination of size, proportion, and optical performance, delivered with the provenance of Brazil and the assurance of The Natural Gemstone Company. The table face up dimensions measure 14.20 millimeters by 11.22 millimeters with a depth of 8.48 millimeters, producing a length to width ratio of approximately 1.27, and a depth that corresponds to about 59.7 percent of the length. These proportions yield a broad, visually generous table that reads large on the finger or in a pendant, while preserving enough pavilion volume to support strong light return and color saturation. The stone is transparent, with a clarity grade reported as very slightly included when evaluated at eye level, which renders the gem effectively eye clean for most settings, and allows the vivid Santa Maria blue to present evenly across the crown without distracting inclusions.

Cutting and finish emphasize controlled brilliance and color concentration, the cutter employing a mixed brilliant cut to balance scintillation with depth of tone. The crown is faceted with brilliant style pavilion elements, while the lower portions incorporate modified step or mixed pavilion facets to enhance internal contrast and to concentrate the blue hue toward the table. This approach reduces the tendency to window in the center while creating tightly packed flashes on movement, particularly along the long axis of the oval shape. The excellent polish on every facet junction produces crisp facet reflections and minimal veil, maximizing both brilliance and transparency. Heat treatment has been applied to optimize the blue saturation and to remove residual greenish undertones commonly found in Brazilian material, a standard enhancement that is stable under normal wear, and that accentuates the Santa Maria intensity without affecting clarity or structural integrity.

For bespoke jewelry applications, the dimensions and form factor of this aquamarine make it highly versatile and exceptionally well suited as a center stone. The broad oval face up area presents as a prominent focal element for solitaire rings, halo designs, classic three stone arrangements, or pendant constructions that require a substantial visual presence without excessive height. The 8.48 millimeter depth provides sufficient pavilion for secure prong engagement or for bezel retention that can protect the girdle while maintaining a low profile in the setting. Recommended mounting strategies include four or six prong crowns with elongated prong shoulders aligned to the long axis to minimize potential torsion, or a custom bezel with a precision milled seat to preserve the pavilion clearance and to protect the stone in active wear. The length to width ratio favors a bold yet elegant silhouette that flatters finger proportions while allowing comfortable setting options for both vertical and horizontal orientation, and the gem behaves predictably under loupe and naked eye inspection, which simplifies design tolerances for CAD and die struck settings.

The color and cutting character of this aquamarine also make it a superior candidate for paired and companion stone design work, permitting matched side stones or accent diamonds to be selected with confidence, because the mixed brilliant faceting anchors a consistent light pattern that harmonizes with modern melee and tapered baguette accents. For designers and clients who demand technical clarity, The Natural Gemstone Company can provide further practical data points, including precise measurements for seat depth and table dimension, photographic light box images at multiple angles, and recommendations for prong gauge and bezel lip thickness tailored to the optical pavilion and girdle profile of this specific stone. This specimen combines a substantial carat weight, controlled proportions, a vivid Santa Maria blue hue, and an excellent polish, creating an ideal nucleus for a custom piece that balances visual impact with wearable engineering.