Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
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
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
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.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
