The blueness and translucent quality of the stone invokes a sense of purity, cleansing and soothing, all having associations with the sea. It is still believed to this day to protect sea travelers, a tradition carried over through centuries. Like a few other stones, it is believed to come in handy for those in professions which require public forms of presentation, as it helps them present their thoughts and ideas in a clear manner full of conviction. Considered a stone of ‘natural justice’ it can aid in quelling confrontations, reduces judgmental behavior, or simply making parties amenable to one another. Regarding physical ailments, aquamarine is beneficial against a sore throat, tonsillitis, and toothaches. It ranges in color from a light blue to blue and bluish-green, all reflecting the colors of the sea.
The name of this stone should be easy to deduce even by people with scant knowledge of linguistics; it comes from the Latin ‘aqua’ and simply translates to seawater. Given its brilliant blue hue, which comes from it being rich in iron, it’s difficult to think of any other name that would be appropriate. Aquamarine is formed through the interaction of magma and mineral-rich stones called pegmatites. The stone had gained a great deal of significance in various ancient civilizations. Sumerians, Hebrews, and Egyptians associated it with happiness and youth. Romans associated it with friendship, love, and reconciliation. For both Greeks and Romans, the stone was revered as a good luck charm for sailors and others who found themselves regularly traversing large bodies of water. During the Christian era, aquamarine was associated with St. Thomas for his long journeys overseas. Later in the Middle Ages, it was used to stimulate feelings of love between long-married couples. Aquamarine can mostly be found in Brazil, but is also located in Kenya, Malawi, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
Beryl
Al2Be3Si6O18
1.564 - 1.596
.005 - .007
2.68 - 2.74
7.5 - 8 (Moh's Scale)