Aquamarine Meaning and Properties
Aquamarine History
Aquamarine, a splendid blue gemstone whose name originates from the Italian word for seawater, embodies the splendor of the sea. A member of the beryl family, aquamarine is a sister to the rich green emerald. It can be found in a range of pale blue hues and aqua-green colors. Legends refer to aquamarine as the treasure of Atlantis.
There is much lore about the aquamarine stone. For instance, the Romans believed that a frog design carved onto an aquamarine stone would reconcile enemies and make them friends. The Greeks and the Romans revered aquamarine as a stone of protection for sailors, and it was commonly worn to ensure a safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. The Sumerians, Egyptians and Hebrews also admired and valued aquamarine gemstones.
Belief in aquamarine properties, including powers of revelation, was strong during the Middle Ages. It was common to carve gazing balls for fortune telling or to suspend an aquamarine crystal on a string over a bowl of water, to divine messages as the stone disturbed the surface or touched letters drawn on the bowl's rim.
Dive into the beauty of aquamarine with our special guest, in-house graduate gemologist Dev. He shows how to test the specific gravity, and how to make a simple aquamarine pendant you won't want to miss. Watch this video and learn more about this tranquil gemstone.
What are the Metaphysical Properties of Aquamarine?
In the language of gemstones, aquamarine properties represent happiness, hope and everlasting youth. In ancient times, aquamarine was thought to protect those at sea. It was believed to make sailors fearless and safe from adversaries on the open waters. As far back as 480 BC, aquamarine was considered to be the treasure of the mermaids because its ability to protect increased when immersed in water.
Today, aquamarine is still thought to bring protection to those at sea and is a popular gift among ocean travelers. On land, it is believed to have soothing effects on couples, helping them to work through their differences and ensure a long and happy marriage. That power makes it an excellent stone to give on anniversaries.
It is also considered to be the stone of courage and preparedness and is believed to help maintain balance and order. Aquamarine is often used as a "good luck" stone, thought to bring feelings of peace, love, joy and happiness to those who wear it. There is an energizing quality to aquamarine that provides harmony and balance. If you dream of aquamarine, it is said that you will make new friends, and wearing earrings of aquamarine is thought to bring love and affection into your life.
Traditionally, aquamarine is also the birthstone for March and is associated with the zodiac sign of Pisces. It is also thought to be a stone for Aquarius, Libra, Gemini and Aries.
What Chakra is Aquamarine?
Chakras are considered focal points of energy that connect to various physical, emotional and spiritual parts of a person. Each chakra is said to affect specific organs, moods and life situations. Wearing chakra bracelets provides an easy and fashionable way to keep healing stones near you, helping to amplify their energetic effects all day long. Aquamarine is linked to the throat chakra. Wearing an aquamarine chakra bracelet is believed by some to promote emotional healing, foster open communication and boost confidence to express truth with kindness.
Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) - Teal or Light Blue
- Location: throat (thyroid)
- Represents: communication; growth via expression; secrets
- Emotional issues: communication; independence; listening; creativity; fluent thought
- Spiritual issues: sense of self; freedom to speak truth
- Physical issues: thyroid; esophagus; speech and other communication problems
- Gemstones: aquamarine, blue lace agate, turquoise
What is Aquamarine Made From?
Aquamarine is a beryl—a relatively rare silicate mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks around the world—and a blue-green sister to the deep-green emerald . Other beryl stones include morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow/yellow-green), goshenite (colorless) and maxixe* (deep blue). Aquamarine gems are frequently less included or fractured than emeralds, making larger stones easier to find.
*Maxixe is pronounced "mashish."
Color and clarity are key to the value of gemstone aquamarine (with low grade beryl often refined into the metal beryllium). Color is a defining aspect of this gemstone, which is why most aquamarines are heat-treated to remove yellow tones and enhance the bright blue hues in this stone.
The natural blue and green colors of aquamarine come from ferrous iron and metallic ions. Aquamarine gemstones are found in a number of exotic places, including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, and the most brilliant blue varieties of the gemstones available today come from Brazil.
- Mineral Information: Cyclosilicate, Beryl
- Chemical Composition: Al2Be3(Si6O18)
- Color: Light blue, blue, blue-green, pale green; transparent to translucent
- Hardness: 7-1/2 to 8 (Mohs)
- Specific Gravity: 2.67 - 2.71
- Refractive Index: 1.577 - 1.583
- Cause of Color: Heat-treated to remove green and enhance blue
How Do You Clean Aquamarine?
The best way to clean aquamarine is with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Although aquamarine is a hard 7-1/2 to 8 on the Moh's scale, natural inclusions could make it vulnerable to breaking if exposed to extreme temperature changes or sharp blows. Do not use heat to clean aquamarine. Prolonged exposure to sunlight could fade the gemstone’s color.
Aquamarine FAQs
Q: What color is considered the most valuable in aquamarine?
A: The most valuable aquamarine color is a deep, vivid blue to slightly greenish-blue. Stones with richer saturation and minimal gray undertones are highly prized due to their rarity. Most aquamarine on the market is a lighter pastel blue.
Q: Does aquamarine have inclusions?
A: High-quality, jewelry-grade aquamarine is usually eye-clean, meaning there are no visible inclusions when examining the stone with the naked eye. Material with obvious inclusions (often making the stone cloudy or opaque) is usually used for beads or carvings.
The most common kind of inclusions in aquamarine are long, hollow tubes, sometimes filled with liquid. A dense concentration of these inclusions can product a “cat’s eye” effect, called chatoyancy.
Q: Does aquamarine come in colors other than blue?
A: Aquamarine is best known for its blue to greenish-blue hues. It doesn’t naturally occur in other colors, but heating can remove green tones, resulting in a purer blue. Other beryl varieties—like morganite or emerald—come in different colors, such as green or pink to peach.
Q: What is the birthstone month for aquamarine?
A: Aquamarine is the birthstone for March. It's associated with calming energies, clarity and the sea—making it a popular choice for those seeking serenity and a connection to water.
Designing with Aquamarine
While it was once fashionable to wear the sea-green color most commonly associated with aquamarine, today's consumers prefer shades of sky or deep blue. Because of this, aquamarine is routinely heat-treated to remove the naturally occurring green tinge. This is a highly sensitive and precise process requiring that the stone be heated to between 725 and 850 degrees Fahrenheit. If the stone is overheated, it will permanently lose all its color.
The elegant gemstone, aquamarine, stands proudly alone or can be lightly accented with gold-toned beads and focal points. Aquamarine looks stunning with bright yellow gold metals, creating designs of warmth and bright cheer. The arctic blue and sandy tones of aquamarine gemstone beads look fresh when paired with silver-toned accents, the subdued colors of tourmaline , dyed cultured freshwater pearls and citrine gemstone beads. It also looks stunning when paired with smoky quartz or deep red garnet gemstone beads.
The wonderful range of blues found in aquamarine complement just about any skin tone, and when worn as earrings and necklaces can show off the color of your eyes to advantage. Designer artists also like incorporating aquamarine with quartz crystal beads for soft, feminine Expression Jewelry™.
Why limit this gem to jewelry?
Aquamarine is a perfect embellishment for a variety of accessories, including barrette clips, scarves and headbands, offering versatility to your wardrobe. Combine with faceted rondelle Czech fire-polished glass beads or crystal beads wired, glued or stitched onto any type of hair accessory for added sparkle, or dangle strands with fastened bead clusters to liven up crocheted scarves.
A Few Design Inspirations to Get You Started
Discover the stunning allure of aquamarine by creating your own earrings in just a few minutes! Learn how to incorporate decorative bead caps for a chic finish. Don’t miss out—watch the video now and start creating your beautiful aquamarine earrings today!
Shop for Aquamarine
**Please note that all metaphysical or healing properties listed are collected from various sources. This information is offered as a service and not meant to treat medical conditions. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads® does not guarantee the validity of any of these statements.
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