What is Aquamarine

The word “aquamarine” comes from Latin words “aqua marina”, meaning sea water. Aquamarine is the birthstone of the month of March and is associated with faithfulness, courage, and friendship. Aquamarine is also considered to solve throat and stress related problems. It is believed that aquamarine also helps in easing communication problems. In middle ages it was believed that aquamarine has the magical power of overcoming the effects of poison. Aquamarine was also associated with awareness and quick response. The sailors for protection while at sea used it as a charm. Romans believed that a carving of frog on this stone will help convert enemies into friends. It was a Roman tradition for the groom to give aquamarine as a morning gift to the bride following the consummation of their marriage. It was thought that this gemstone can absorb an atmosphere of young love. Thus, it was considered to revive the love of the married couples.   

Aquamarine is a cousin of emerald and belongs to the Beryl family. It gets its color from the iron traces in the Beryl. Some aquamarines display Chatoyancy properties i.e. the property of cat’s eye and star. Its color ranges from the beautiful colors of blue to blue green to sea green. The best property of aquamarine is that it’s very pleasing to the eye. It lends a soothing effect. Rating 8 on the Mohs scale, due to its hardness and durability, aquamarine is quite popular amongst jewelry designers. It can be found in large hexagonal or irregular crystals. Sometimes it can also be found as bi-color with other minerals such as morganite. Color and clarity are the most important elements while evaluating aquamarine. A very pale 30 carat aquamarine will cost the same as a deep blue one carat aquamarine. Thus, clearly color intensity and clarity are the most crucial factors. However, it’s rare to find stones with deep blue color. Another property of high quality aquamarines is that they are inclusions free. At times pure green stones can also be found which when heated and treated to a temperature of 600-1200 degrees of Fahrenheit can be used to produce pure blue stone.  

Initially Brazil was the major producer but now Zambia, Mozambique, and Nigeria are also producing good quality stones. In 1910, Brazil witnessed the largest ever aquamarine. The stone weighed 243 pounds and was later cut into pieces which gave over 200,000 carats. It was so clean that one could read newspaper print through it.

Believed to have originated from the treasure chests of mermaids, aquamarine is an admirable stone. Since ages its beauty has been cherished all around the world. From Sumerians to Hebrews to Egyptians, all have adorned it. Aquamarine is a beautiful stone and it’s great to possess one.