SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
EditorsJul 17, 2017
Check Out the “Midnight Aqua” One Designer Debuted in Vegas
Senior Editor Brecken Branstrator delves into the story of a deep-blue gemstone on display at Graziela Gems.
This Midnight Aquamarine ring from Graziela Gems features 4.13 carats of the deep-blue stone accented with 1.6 carats of diamonds and set in 18-karat white gold ($6,650).
I got to see so many beautiful, exceptional gems at all the shows in Las Vegas, but it was on the show floor of Luxury that I saw something that really stuck with me.
On the way to an appointment with a coworker, we stopped by the Graziela Gems booth where they introduced us to a gem they were launching in a new collection--“Denim Aqua,” or, as they’re calling it now, “Midnight Aqua.”
I had seen the gemstone posted on a few other Instagram accounts and was excited to finally view it in person. The stone, sourced from Brazil, is a deep, steely blue, similar to the shades that Santa Maria aquamarine can have but with its own unique coloring like, not surprisingly given its original name, a good pair of blue jeans.
The gemstone isn’t exactly new, but the brand is bringing it to the forefront.
According to designer Graziela Kaufman, the aqua with that particular shade of blue was discovered over 100 years ago in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, an area already known for producing fine quality gemstones.
Its story “sounds more like a legend,” she said, and, I have to say, I don’t disagree.
According to her, the town in which the gemstone was discovered has a large population of armadillos and one day, while an armadillo was digging, he or she left a large pile of dirt on the ground.
When a farmer walked by, he noticed a beautiful blue sparkle in the middle of the dirt, which led to him discovering the deep-blue aquamarine amid the detritus.
“The armadillo has all the credit for finding the denim aqua,” Kaufman said.
The production remains very small because no one has found a vein of the deep-blue aqua. Miners can spend days around the area and only find small quantities from time to time.
“When I saw this aqua a year ago, I couldn’t believe that I didn’t know about it since it was from my native country, Brazil,” Kaufman said, “but then I found out about its history and tiny production, and it all made sense.”
Now it would appear she’s got a lock on that small supply. She said she’s very close friends with the miners in the area--working with them to
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
extract it in the most eco-friendly way--so as soon as they find something, she is contacted.
Graziela Gems already has trademarked the names Denim Aqua, Denim Aquamarine, and Midnight Aquamarine because “this magnificent gem deserves to have its own name and identity,” she said.
Kaufman said the price of the material is comparable to the lighter aquamarine we’re used to since they don’t come in large pieces. The largest ever found, according to her, has been about 12 carats.
She designed a 20-piece collection centered on the gemstones that was launched at Luxury by JCK. The debut was a huge success, she said, noting that the entire collection had sold by the third day of the show.
“Thankfully, I have a good amount of gems to work on new pieces and designs to be launched in the next couple of months. I feel very blessed and lucky to be able to work with a part of nature, especially when I’m able to fascinate people with something that they’ve never seen before, like this new color of aquamarine. I can’t wait for what’s coming next.”
I was told that representatives from the Gemological Institute of America also stopped by the Graziela Gems booth at the show to take a look; the company is now working directly with the lab to test the material.
I reached out to GIA for this blog post, but a spokesperson declined to comment since the lab hasn’t yet fully examined it. But from what the Graziela team has told me, they, and many others, are very excited.
No matter what’s to come for this special aquamarine, it’s always fun to stumble on a new gem and just be able to admire it for its beauty.
Graziela Gems already has trademarked the names Denim Aqua, Denim Aquamarine, and Midnight Aquamarine because “this magnificent gem deserves to have its own name and identity,” she said.
Kaufman said the price of the material is comparable to the lighter aquamarine we’re used to since they don’t come in large pieces. The largest ever found, according to her, has been about 12 carats.
She designed a 20-piece collection centered on the gemstones that was launched at Luxury by JCK. The debut was a huge success, she said, noting that the entire collection had sold by the third day of the show.
“Thankfully, I have a good amount of gems to work on new pieces and designs to be launched in the next couple of months. I feel very blessed and lucky to be able to work with a part of nature, especially when I’m able to fascinate people with something that they’ve never seen before, like this new color of aquamarine. I can’t wait for what’s coming next.”
I was told that representatives from the Gemological Institute of America also stopped by the Graziela Gems booth at the show to take a look; the company is now working directly with the lab to test the material.
I reached out to GIA for this blog post, but a spokesperson declined to comment since the lab hasn’t yet fully examined it. But from what the Graziela team has told me, they, and many others, are very excited.
No matter what’s to come for this special aquamarine, it’s always fun to stumble on a new gem and just be able to admire it for its beauty.
A post shared by National Jeweler (@nationaljeweler) on Jun 12, 2017 at 7:50am PDT
More on Editors
The Latest
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
Events & AwardsJul 20, 2026
TJS Accepting Speaker Proposals for 2027 EventOrganizers are looking for presentations on topics like manufacturing, technology and research, bench work, gemstones, and sustainability.
CollectionsJul 17, 2026
HOWL Taps Shailene Woodley for ‘Home Sweet Home’ CampaignWoodley is seen in the campaign wearing our Piece of the Week, the “Frida” collar featuring 13 pieces of hand-carved Venetian glass.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
U.K. Woman Pays £5 for £15K Diamond Ring at Car Boot SaleA WeBuyVintage jewelry expert uncovered how much the flea market find was actually worth.
SourcingJul 17, 2026
Diamond Dealer Jeff Pancis Pens MemoirThe founder of natural colored diamond wholesaler Pancis Gems shares stories from his five decades in the industry.
