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Aquamarine
Facts, Information and Description
The gemstone Aquamarine is the modern March birthstone as adopted by the American National Association of Jewelers in 1912. It is also the birth stone for the Zodiac sign of Scorpio. Aquamarine is suggested as a gem to give on the 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries.
Aquamarine is a relatively common gem, and is thus affordable. Some enormous transparent crystal masses have been found, and exquisite gems weighing thousands of carats have been cut from them. The light blue to blue-green color of Aquamarine may fade upon prolonged exposure to light, so it is especially important to purchase this gem from a reliable dealer.
Named for the Latin phrase "water of the sea", Aquamarine is a blue to blue-green variety of the mineral Beryl. Beryl also contains other gem varieties, including Emerald and some lesser known varieties such as Morganite and Heliodor. Aquamarine ranges in color from a faint light blue to blue and bluish-green, with lighter colored stones more common. Light green Beryl can be transformed into Aquamarine if heated to 750º F (400º C). The green hues in regular aquamarine can also be removed through heating. Much of the deeply colored aquamarine gems on the market today are heat-treated. Generally, the deeper the blue in Aquamarine, the greater its value.
Aquamarine is a hard and durable gem, but it may develop internal cracks if banged hard. Some material may fade upon prolonged exposure to light.
Brazil is the by far the largest producer of gem Aquamarine. Other important gem producers are Pakistan, Myanmar (Burma), Russia, China, Namibia, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya, and the United States (Colorado and California).
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Folklore, Legend and Healing Properties
Since early times, aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons.
A legend says that sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to keep them safe and prevent seasickness.
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