Aquamarine Stone - Aquamarine Jewelry

The Aquamarine Stone

Aquamarine comes from Beryl, which is Beryllium aluminum silicate, frequently with some sodium, lithium and cesium. The name is from the Greek [beryllos], indicating any green gemstone -- the majority of Beryl mined is some shade of green. The chemistry is Be3Al2Si60qi. The hardness is between 7-1/2 and 8 and the streak is white.

Aquamarine was first coined by the Romans and means "water of the sea". It refers to the paleish blue, light blue-green or even light green variety of beryl. The green of aquamarine is a watery green without any trace of yellow and is due to iron, not chromium.

The most valuable color is a rich, sky blue; but because the stone is pleochroic, even the blue stones have a green or greenish-blue tinge in one direction.

Quite large stones, ranging from several carats to more than ten or a few tens of carats, are relatively common. Many are virtually free of inclusions. The most common cut is the emerald type, although mixed oval or pear-shaped cuts are not infrequent.

Beryl develops in pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks. It occurs with quartz, microcline, and muscovite in pegmatites, and with quartz, muscovite, and almandine in schist of regional metamorphic rocks.

Most Aquamarine comes from the pegmatites of Brazil, where crystals weighing several kilos have been found. Other deposits are in the former Soviet Union (Transbaikalia, Urals and Siberia), Madagascar, the United States, and recently, Afghanistan.

Aquamarine is a protective and luck stone for fishermen. In addition, it has been carved into cups and goblets because of the belief that it aids digestion and reduces body fluids.

Traditionally, this gem has been used for relief of stomach disorders and as a diuretic. It has also been recommended for toothaches.

This stone is associated with Sea Goddesses. It is recommended for increasing psychic abilities.

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