Goldsmiths House, 10-14 Cambridge Street, Aylesbury, Bucks HP20 1RS
01296 482 963
01296 482 963
Aquamarine
.jpg)
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family of gemstones, the same family that Emerald belongs to. Unlike Emerald however, Aquamarines are largely free of inclusions, and are therefore more durable.
According to legend, the stone originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors' lucky stone. Its name is derived from the Latin 'aqua' (water) and 'mare' (sea). It is said that its strengths are developed to their best advantage when it is placed in water, which is bathed in sunlight. Wearing Aquamarine Jewellery or holding an Aquamarine Crystal is said to release anger and negativity replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. It is also said to aid in meditation, to give courage and to assist in self-expression. It also is believed to preserve and enhance mutual love and to maintain a good marriage, and to ensure truth in relationships and business dealings. Natural aquamarine jewellery is said to help reduce dependence on drugs, to aid in digestion, as a remedy for swollen glands and to maintain the health of the jaws and teeth.
Iron gives aquamarine its colour, a colour that ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the colour of an aquamarine, the more value is put on it. Some aquamarines have a light, greenish shimmer; that too is a typical feature. However, it is a pure, clear blue that continues to epitomise the aquamarine, because it brings out the immaculate transparency and magnificent shine of this gemstone.
The gemstone is predominately found in Brazil. Most of the raw crystals for the world market come from the gemstone mines of that large South American country. Every now and then, large aquamarine crystals of immaculate transparency are also found with a magnificent colour, a combination which is very unusual in gemstones. And very occasionally, sensationally large aquamarine crystals come to light in Brazil, such as the crystal of 110.5 Kg found in 1910 in Marambaia/Minas Gerais, or for example the 'Dom Pedro', weighing 26 Kg and cut in Idar-Oberstein in 1992 by the gemstone designer Bernd Munsteiner, the largest aquamarine ever to have been cut. Aquamarines are also found in other countries, such as Nigeria, Zambia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan and Pakistan.