GradingJun 16, 2022
GIA to Close Antwerp Lab Next MonthGradingJun 23, 2022
AIGS Launches Grading Report for ‘Santa Maria’ Aquamarine
The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences aims to set a color standard for the trade name.
According to AIGS, these aquamarine stones are the typical color of those labeled “Santa Maria” (Image courtesy AIGS)
Bangkok—Following its launch of grading reports for “jedi” spinel, the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences (AIGS) has done the same for a specific aquamarine trade name.
The institute has rolled out a color code for the “Santa Maria” label as well as grading reports.
“Santa Maria” originated from the color of aquamarine that came from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The mine produced aquamarine considered to be among the best in terms of color—a saturated blue—but is now almost depleted.
Some in the trade now refer to stones with such color as “Santa Maria,” regardless of their origin.
To define which stones should receive such a label, AIGS created a “Santa Maria” color code, which defines according to color—hue, saturation, and tone—and even clarity. It does not define by geographic origin.
See: The AIGS “Santa Maria” Report and Color Code
The institute has rolled out a color code for the “Santa Maria” label as well as grading reports.
“Santa Maria” originated from the color of aquamarine that came from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The mine produced aquamarine considered to be among the best in terms of color—a saturated blue—but is now almost depleted.
Some in the trade now refer to stones with such color as “Santa Maria,” regardless of their origin.
To define which stones should receive such a label, AIGS created a “Santa Maria” color code, which defines according to color—hue, saturation, and tone—and even clarity. It does not define by geographic origin.
See: The AIGS “Santa Maria” Report and Color Code
The AIGS Santa Maria Aquamarine color reference, denoting which saturations they believe fall under the trade name (Image courtesy AIGS)
A sample of the AIGS Santa Maria aquamarine grading report (Image courtesy AIGS)
The Institute said its color code applies the name “Santa Maria” to the aquamarine variety of beryl that has blue color and medium saturation without brown or yellow tints.
Those with low saturation, low clarity, and dark tones do not meet the criteria to be called Santa Maria, it added. Neither does aquamarine with low clarity.
For those that do have all the right criteria, AIGS will indicate the stone qualifies as a “Santa Maria” type of aquamarine in its gemstone identification reports.
“The launch of the Santa Maria color code is yet another important initiative after launching our Jedi spinel reports last October,” said Kennedy Ho, Chairman of AIGS.
“Trade names such as pigeon blood and royal blue have been used for centuries by gem traders to describe ideal colors implying value and rarity. Yet these trade names are often ambiguous with definitions varying between buyers and sellers alike. By transforming trade names into an industry standard through reports graded by third-party objectivity, AIGS aims to reduce such ambiguity.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Grading
The Latest
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesOct 08, 2026
Third Wave of IEEPA Tariff Refunds Begins This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
Policies & IssuesOct 07, 2026
The Plumb Club Amplifies Its Voice as Geopolitical Pressures MountThe supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
4 Standout Pieces in Audemars Piguet’s First High Jewelry Collection “Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.
MajorsOct 07, 2026
Empire Safe & Vault Promotes Juan Morales to CEOAs part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.
SourcingOct 07, 2026
AGTA Extends Deadline for 2026 Spectrum Awards EntriesParticipants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.
CrimeOct 06, 2026
6 Charged in Connection to String of New Jersey Smash-and-GrabsThe alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.
ColumnistsOct 06, 2026
Sherry Smith: Is the Consumer Really Trading Up?Ahead of the holidays, Smith urges jewelers to take a hard look at who’s buying jewelry, what they’re purchasing, and who’s stopped buying.
SourcingOct 06, 2026
DDG Taps Influencers for ‘My Diamond Does Good’ CampaignIn the new consumer-facing campaign, four fashion and lifestyle creators share the stories behind their natural diamond pieces.
MajorsOct 06, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names COO, CMOFGI President John Orrico is also leaving the company after more than 13 years.
Events & AwardsOct 06, 2026
JIS Fall Returns to MiamiThe 2026 edition will feature presentations on alternative materials and design trends, as well as pop-up activations on the show floor.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
De Beers to Take Full Ownership of Gahcho KuéIt is the last fully operational diamond mine in Canada following the recent closures of Ekati and Diavik.
AuctionsOct 05, 2026
The Star Cats of the Sandy Lerner AuctionThese jewels stood out at Bonhams’ sale of the cat-loving tech entrepreneur’s collection of objects depicting the feline form.
CollectionsOct 05, 2026
Sorellina Writes Another Love Letter for ‘Postscript’ CollectionThe fine jewelry brand has expanded the collection that debuted at Couture with four new designs based on its most popular styles.
SourcingOct 05, 2026
Bruce Bridges Joins CIBJO BoardThe AGTA president was elected for a two-year term on the board of directors.
SourcingOct 02, 2026
De Beers, National Geographic Society Renew Okavango Eternal Partnership The partnership, a pledge to protect Africa’s Okavango River Basin, has been extended for an additional five years.
