Aquamarine, from
the Latin “aqua” and “mare”, meaning “of the sea”, is a member of the mineral
gemstone family, Beryl. It can range in color from an almost colorless pale
blue, to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is deep blue aqua.
From earliest times, Greek and Roman sailors believed the stone would ensure their
safe travels at sea as well as prevent seasickness, and was also seen as a
powerful tool in divining and fortune telling. It was thought
to increase intelligence and make one youthful while foresight, courage and
happiness were bestowed upon the wearer. As a healing stone, it was said to be an
effective treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that
aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons.
For many years
the best quality aquamarine came from Brazil, but more recently deposits have
been found on the continent of Africa, in Madagascar, Afghanistan, India and
Pakistan to rival those from Brazil.
In the United States important deposits have been found on both coasts
as well as the Rocky Mountains. It was named the state gemstone of Colorado
after the deposits found at high elevation.
In it’s natural
and unenhanced state most aquamarine is greener than blue and is prized by the
collector of natural, untreated
material. Heating the stone permanently removes its greenish hue, leaving a
more pure blue color. Often this is found to be the case with faceted aquamarines. True blue natural aquamarine does exist but is more rare than the
naturally more greenish stone and naturally much more expensive.
Natural untreated Aquamarine
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