The Alluring World of Aquamarine: Colour, Meaning, and Healing Properties

Aquamarine. The very name of these stones conjures up beautiful images of a tranquil, blue-green sea. A member of the beryl family of gemstones, the gorgeous blue aquamarine gemstone is a favourite of ours at Hunters Fine Jewellery. Read on to discover more about aquamarine.

Where Does the Word Aquamarine Come From?

The word aquamarine comes from the Latin words 'aqua' meaning water and 'mare' meaning sea, and this greenish blue gemstone has been used in jewellery making for thousands of years due to its green blue colour, clarity, light and sparkle. Don't you just love aquamarine!

Does Aquamarine Have Protective Powers?

The aquamarine gem was once mysteriously thought to be mermaids' treasure found in sea water. Sailors and seafarers would often carry aquamarine as a talisman as they believed the stone would protect them against the dangers at sea. Ancient Romans would also take aquamarine gemstones with them when going into battle as they believed in the protective powers of aquamarine.

Aquamarine is the Birthstone for March

Aquamarine gemstone is the birthstone for those born in March and also people with a zodiac sign of Pisces. Aquamarine is also the modern choice of stones for 19th anniversaries.

Can I Wear Aquamarine Every Day?

Aquamarine has a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, similar to emerald and like emerald, aquamarine comes from the beryl family. Cut aquamarines are suitable for everyday wear and there are plenty of these gorgeous blue gems to choose from when it comes to jewellery.

Where Do Aquamarines Come From?

Brazil has a long history of mined gems and is the largest producer of aquamarine. Brazilian aquamarine is excellent quality. Aquamarine comes from the mineral beryl family. Veins of aquamarine can be found in granite pegmatites which is a coarse, crystalline rock.

What Gives Aquamarine its Blue or Green Gem Colour?

The beauty of the greenish blue or pale blue shades of fine aquamarine comes from the ferrous iron content in the stone. Aquamarine gemstones are generally free of inclusions giving these gems a light, pure, watery appearance of sparkling clarity.

Are Aquamarines Heat Treated?

Aquamarine is often heat treated as heat treatment brings out the blue colour of the stone. Which is your favourite - aquamarine gems with the colour green, or blue or sea green blue? Do you prefer light or darker stones? Do you prefer a stone with inclusions like emerald? Inclusions in emeralds are called the garden or 'jardin'. Read more in our emerald gemstone blog.

The Rarest Aquamarine Stone Colour

According to the International Gem Society, the rare Santa Maria aquamarine gem, mined in Brazil, has a darker blue green colour stone and is a very highly prized aquamarine.

The Healing Power of Aquamarine

Spiritually, aquamarine is said to be a very healing blue gemstone crystal that brings peace, calmness and clarity of mind. It is associated with the planet Neptune and is thought to re-energise love between couples and bring soothing harmony to relationships. If you are interested in crystal gem healing, blue aquamarines are a must.

Aquamarine Jewellery

Aquamarine looks particularly stunning when paired with other gems such as quality diamonds, for example aquamarine and diamond rings. The bright white sparkle of diamonds alongside the pale greenish blue coolness of the cut gems of aquamarine works superbly.

Pale blue aquamarine is a quality alternative to blue topaz, especially if it's your birthstone. Aquamarine has few inclusions making it a very desirable stone.

The World's Largest Cut Aquamarine

The largest cut aquamarine is the Dom Pedro aquamarine that was cut from a quality crystal in the 1980s in Brazil. It weighs around 4.6 pounds and over 10 carat weight. This magnificent 14 inch high obelisk shaped stone is housed by the Smithsonian Institution in the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.

The Dom Pedro aquamarine was found in Pedra Azul in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. This outstanding aquamarine is named after the first two emperors of Brazil, Dom Pedro Primeiro and his son, Dom Pedro Segundo.

Who Cut the Dom Pedro Aquamarine?

The amazing aquamarine was cut by Bernd Munsteiner, a master gem cutter of world renown. Munsteiner worked for a labour-intensive six months to cut and facet the fabulous aquamarine. He used his so-called fantasy-cuts where he cut into the back of the stone to reflect the light from within.

This famous aquamarine was saved from being cut into smaller stones by a gem-collector couple, Jane Mitchell and Jeffery S.Bland who bought the aquamarine and donated the stone to the Smithsonian. Of all aquamarines, it is truly the most magnificent blue stone you could imagine. The carat size of this beautiful gem is phenomenal.

Care for your Aquamarine Jewellery

Whether large or small carat weight aquamarines, it is important to make sure you look after your aquamarine jewellery. You should wash your beautiful blue gem aquamarine in warm soapy water and clean gently with a soft brush. The warm soapy water lifts away dirt from the stone and brings back the clarity and light to your gems. An aquamarine's color is very special and you will want to ensure it is kept clean and sparkling.

We love aquamarines at Hunters Fine Jewellery and whether it's a ring, necklace or earrings that you have worn, or a crystal gem that you love to cherish, you can preserve the quality of your aquamarines for future generations.

Shop for Aquamarine

Here at Hunters Fine Jewellery, we offer some charming antique and vintage jewellery featuring fine color aquamarine stones as well as brand new, specially designed aquamarine pieces with either large gems or small, whichever you prefer. You can be assured of the gem quality of all our aquamarines.