The gemstone of mermaids, Aquamarine was worn as a talisman for good luck and protection by sailors in Ancient times.

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It was believed to calm waves and therefore keep safe the people who were at sea. It is true that no other gemstone can conjure up pictures of beautiful clear blue sea waters as well as Aquamarine. Aquamarine literally means “water of the sea” in Latin and naturally credited with offering safe passage through storming sea waters

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The Middle Ages, in addition, saw the cosmos reflected in the stone.

Aquamarine stones are part of the Beryl family, along with Emerald (green), Heliotrope (yellow), Morganite (pink), Bixbite (red) and Goshenite (clear). The colour of Beryl depends on the traces that are inside. The blue to green hues of the Aquamarine are generated by the iron oxydes entrapped within the stone: ferrous ions (FE²+) give the blue colour whereas ferric ions (Fe3+) give the green colour to aquamarine stones.

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It is an exceptionally hard gem with a vitreous glass-like lustre. Aquamarine are mined in Africa (Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique), Madagascar, Asia (Pakistan and Vietnam) and especially in Brazil. Maxixe is a rare deep blue aquamarine that can be found in Madagascar. Synthetic aquamarines can also be synthesized in a lab.

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Aquamarine gemstones are supposed to bring happiness in marriage and therefore it is the stone celebrating the 19th wedding anniversary. It inspires truth, trust and allows the wearer to let go. As the sea does, the aquamarine has calming, soothing and cleaning effects.

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Some people also believe in its effects on arthritis, sore throat, varicose veins and eye inflammation.

Aquamarine is not the only light-blue gemstone: there is also larimar, amazonite, tourmaline, sapphire or spinel. But none of them can match the clear pure blue colour of the “sea” gemstone, worn by the people born in March.

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