Aquamarine – The Ultimate Guide – (Meaning, Description, Uses & Properties)

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Aquamarine identification and properties

What is Aquamarine?

Aquamarine belongs to the mineral Beryl group of gemstones. It measures between 7.5 and 8 on the Mohs scale, making it a relatively hard gemstone suitable for everyday wear. Its color reflects the colors of the sea, ranging from palest to deep blue and green. The most valuable specimens are those which exhibit the darkest shades of color.

The blue coloration of most specimens of Aquamarine comes from trace amounts of iron within the crystal. Pure Beryl is colorless.

The natural blue color of Aquamarine can be enhanced by gentle heat treatment, and the resulting enhancement is permanent.

Most specimens of Aquamarine on sale have been treated in this way and it is important that the seller makes this clear to prospective buyers.

The Origin: Where Is Aquamarine Found?

Aquamarine is found in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Zimbabwe, the USA, Ireland, India, Brazil, and Mexico and is readily available worldwide.

The History & Lore of Aquamarine

Aquamarine Crystal

Most of the myths and legends around this stone pertain to the sea.

It is said to be the “mermaids’ treasure” and Neptune is credited with being the first of the gods to own a piece.

Sailors have always been amongst the most superstitious of folk, so it is no surprise to learn that the ancient Greek and Roman sailors believed that a piece of Aquamarine would protect them from storms at sea.

They would also sleep with the stones under their pillows to ensure a calm and restful night.

Worn as a talisman around the neck or on the finger, it was believed that Aquamarine had the power to calm a restless sea.

And ancient Greek sailors would sometimes toss their Aquamarine crystals into the surging waters as an offering to Poseidon.

The crystal was also believed to alleviate sea sickness.

On land, Aquamarine was used by healers to calm a nervous stomach and to help with the effects of nausea.

In ancient Egypt carvings of animals fashioned from Aquamarine were popular as a way of preserving vital life force energy and prolonging life.

Aquamarine has acquired a reputation for improving the eyesight and soothing conditions of the eyes.

Description of Aquamarine

Aquamarine identification and properties

Many specimens of Aquamarine are translucent, and these can make extremely attractive tumbled stones and pieces of jewelry.

Aquamarine is also transparent, and, unlike Emerald, which is the well-known green iteration of Beryl, does not usually contain flaws.

These high-quality, fracture-free stones are less likely to be damaged during wear, and of course, Aquamarine is more affordable than Emerald.

Aquamarine has a vitreous luster, the crystal system is hexagonal and the crystalline structure of this stone is prismatic.

How to Identify Aquamarine

The most natural forms of Aquamarine are a greenish-blue color.

This is caused by the presence of ferrous iron, which gives the stone a blue hue, and ferric iron, which is responsible for the yellowish tinge.

Aquamarine can be found in translucent or transparent forms, sometimes tumbled and polished and sometimes cut and faceted.

Gentle heat treatment can remove the yellow color, leaving only a brilliant blue.

Translucent aquamarine is often cut into cabochons and beads

Types of Aquamarine

As mentioned above Aquamarine is a type of Beryl. It is durable and hard, measuring between 7,5 and 8 on the Mohs scale.

The only popular gemstones harder than Aquamarine are diamonds, rubies, sapphires, topaz, and chrysoberyl. 

There is another stone that can be described as a blue beryl, called Maxixe (pronounced mashish).

In this crystal, the blue color, which is always dark, develops while the gem is still in the Earth, through exposure to natural sources of radiation.

Unfortunately, this blue color fades to a pale, rather unattractive brown color upon exposure to light.

It can be irradiated in a lab but will fade again over time.

Synthetic Aquamarine is produced in a laboratory by hydrothermal growth methods.

Aquamarine Birthstone Meaning & History

Aquamarine Treatment and care

Aquamarine is the birthstone for those born in the month of March, and also for the zodiac signs of Pisces and Aquarius.

The delicate blue or blue-green color of Aquamarine makes beautiful jewelry pieces, and giving the gift of their special birthstone to these zodiac signs will always be appreciated.

This crystal is associated with all of the healing powers of the sea, as well as with its tranquillity, serenity, and clarity.

It is the first of the Springtime birthstones and represents transformation, growth, rebirth, and growth.

It is a crystal of youthful vitality, loyalty, hope, and purity.

Pisces

Dates: February 19 to March 20

Symbol: A pair of fish, swimming head to tail

Planet: Neptune

Element: Water

Pisces people are often empathic and sensitive.

Aquamarine can help sensitive people to set boundaries and avoid being overwhelmed by more dominant personalities.

Pisces is a sign that can best be described as “people pleasing” and they will sometimes put their own needs last when it comes to making sure that others are happy.

Aquamarine is a stone of courage and it can help those who habitually bend to the will of others to stand up for themselves and set healthy boundaries in relationships.

Sometimes, Pisces will become distant and closed off emotionally, especially when they have been hurt once too often.

Because of its affinity with the Throat chakra, an Aquamarine gem worn as a necklace can promote clear communication and help with the articulation of feelings and emotions.

Pisces is a sign prone to moodiness, especially when things are not going their way.

Some Pisces folk are veritable martyrs, and they can often use passive aggression.

Making those around them aware that they are falling short but in an uncomfortable way.

If this sounds like you, try calling in the vibration of Aquamarine to give you the courage and support you need to state your needs clearly, without hurting others.

Positive Pisces Traits

Pisces have many positive traits and Aquamarine can help to amplify these.

This sign has the reputation for being the most artistic sign of the zodiac.

They tend to have very vivid imaginations and are usually open to new ideas, experiences, and adventures, especially when these involve getting creative in art, music, or literature.

Aquamarine healing and emotional properties

The natural empathy of this sign means that they make excellent friends, parents, teachers, and support workers.

They are extremely generous and can be counted on to go the extra mile when it comes to supporting others.

Negative Pisces Traits

Sometimes, a Pisces will let their emotions get the better of them and this can lead to more drama than is necessary in some situations.

The steadying influence of the vibration of Aquamarine can help to bring some much needed calm to an overly emotional Pisces.

Like other water signs, Pisces do hold on to grudges, and once they fall into a negative mindset it can take quite some time before they achieve balance and harmony again.

Aquamarine can help with this, especially when used in meditation and manifestation work.

Aquamarine has the ability to clear perception, calm the mind and remove extraneous thoughts.

It is also said to sharpen the intellect and clear up confusion.

With its ability to bring unfinished business to a conclusion, Aquamarine can help a sensitive Pisces personality to come back into a state of equilibrium and harmony with their own emotions and with the feelings of those around them.

Pisces can be impressionable, partly because they are so idealistic and always look for the best in people.

They can be overly trusting at times, which can lead to problems when they feel let down.

Aquamarine encourages taking responsibility for oneself, and that includes taking good care of one’s emotional and physical health and well-being.

If you are a Pisces who needs to be a little more self-full, try carrying a piece of tumbled Aquamarine in your pocket or purse for a while to remind you that, ultimately, taking care of your own energy levels and well-being benefits everyone, and it is not selfish, just good sense.

Aquarius

Dates: January 20 to February 18 or January 21 to February 19

Symbol: the Water Carrier

Planet: Uranus (originally Saturn)

Element: Air

Color: Light Blue

Air signs defy categorization. Some Aquarians are quiet and gentle, whilst others are exuberant extroverts.

Like Pisces, this sign has an affinity with empathic, idealistic souls.

Aquamarine holds a vibration that is dynamic and persistent, despite being nurturing and gentle, and creates a personality that is upright, authentic, and honorable.

Aquarians are deep thinkers and like to spend time pondering the mysteries of life and the human condition.

Their idealism often comes to the fore in environmental campaigning or in helping those less fortunate on a very practical level.

Aquarians can be found in soup kitchens, refugee camps, and on fundraising committees.

Wherever there is social injustice you will likely find this sign.

Positive Aquarius Traits

Aquarius people are visionary and future-oriented. They are progressive and open to new ideas, thoughts, experiences, and ways to solve problems.

They align with the qualities of Aquamarine in many ways, being clear-thinking, analytical, and intellectual.

They often find that the vibrations of this stone chime well with their own energy bodies and many are drawn to Aquamarine without really knowing why.

Giving an Aquarius a gift of Aquamarine jewelry will often elicit a disproportionately grateful response!

This sign is very cerebral and Aquarians are often highly intelligent folk who love to get to the bottom of an issue and analyze it in detail.

They see possibilities in everything and are great people to turn to if you have a problem to solve.

Aquarius is a sign of originality and they are famously innovative, creative, and unique in their approach to life, business, and problem solving.

Aquamarine Treatment

Aquamarine History and lore

The relative hardness of Aquamarine means that it is difficult to scratch.

However, its tenacity is rated as brittle, meaning that it can easily be chipped on impact.

In jewelry, a mounting that guards the stone from impact can help to preserve its integrity.

How to Clean and Care for Aquamarine

Aquamarine can safely be washed in salt water, in fact, this is the best way to recharge its metaphysical properties as well as to remove any surface dust or debris from the stone.

This crystal can be cleansed and programmed through meditation and intent and works well for spiritual development, psychic awareness, and manifesting more spiritual connections in your life.

Place this crystal on an Amethyst cluster to restore its original vibration, especially when you first acquire it.

Program it by placing it either in a healing grid or holding it in your hand and you form positive intentions for change.

Buyers Guide: Tips & Advice

When looking for Aquamarine to purchase, please be aware that some specimens are artificially produced through the process of hydrothermal growth methods.

The blue color is achieved in these synthetics through the inclusion of iron, as in natural Aquamarine, or copper, cobalt, and nickel.

Synthetic Aquamarine is difficult to spot, especially in the paler colored specimens.

Aquamarine Quality Factors

Color:

All shades of blue and blue-green are popular with Aquamarine and it really depends on your personal choice which shade you look for.

The darker, clearer specimens are widely held to be the most valuable, as they resemble Sapphires.

The price of Aquamarine is mainly determined by the strength of its color. Gems of paler blue shades are more abundant and fairly inexpensive.

The size and weight of the stone also have a bearing on the price.

Clarity:

Clearer stones and those that are cut for gemstones in jewelry are more expensive than translucent specimens that may be made into beads or polished for tumble stones.

Carat Weight:

No article on Aquamarine is complete without mention of the famous Dom Pedro obelisk.

This gem was cut from a crystal originally weighing about 45kg, that was mined in Peru.

The blue-green obelisk weighs 10.363 carats. The carat weight you decide to buy will depend on the size of the crystal you choose.

Aquamarine Healing Properties

Aquamarine meaning

Aquamarine is a stone of courage. It has many healing properties and can be used in a variety of ways to benefit the mind, body, and soul.

Aquamarine is a beautiful blue or blue-green color, reminiscent of the calm clear waters of the ocean and it has an equally calming effect on the human spirit.

Physical Healing Properties

Physically, Aquamarine is useful for sore throats, swollen glands in the neck, and thyroid problems.

It is also said to regulate hormones and support growth by stimulating the pituitary gland.

Aquamarine has a general tonic effect on the whole body and is believed to have a beneficial effect on the cleansing organs of the body, including the liver, kidneys, and lungs.

Its calming properties are useful in counteracting allergies such as hay fever, and it can be used as a gem elixir to soothe tired or itchy eyes.

Aquamarine has a cooling vibration, making it useful for countering infections and fever, inflammatory diseases of all kinds, and skin conditions such as rosacea, hives, and eczema.

It may also help to inhibit outbreaks of herpes and cold sores in the mouth.

Mental & Emotional Healing Properties

Emotionally, the cool, calm, cleansing vibration of Aquamarine helps to balance anger and fear.

It is a stone of communication, helping those who have repressed their feelings, or refrained from speaking out about abuse or trauma, to express themselves freely and clearly so that remedial action can be taken.

It helps to bring old thoughts, conditioning, and outdated beliefs to the surface where they can be examined and dealt with appropriately.

Aquamarine is a water element stone with a powerful cleansing vibration that removes blocked or stuck energy from the emotional body.

It transmutes the thoughts and energies that cause victimhood or a martyred mentality and helps those who are easily manipulated to see the truth of a given situation and release themselves from it.

It also helps us to see where we ourselves may be manipulating others.

Once these behaviors are cleared we are able to form much healthier, more compassionate relationships with others.

Another of the qualities of Aquamarine is its ability to dissolve guilt, especially when this has arisen from overly critical and judgemental parents or other authority figures.

It helps to clear away the effects of past emotional, physical or verbal abuse and is an excellent stone to support children who have been through traumatic situations.

It is a good stone for transition and change; encouraging a positive and optimistic outlook even in times of difficult changes.

Its cleansing vibration helps to remove emotional resistance to inevitable change and helps you overcome the fear of the unknown.

Metaphysical Properties

Aquamarine crystal raw stone

Aquamarine is said to be a good luck talisman for anyone traveling over, or near to, the sea.

In ancient lore, this stone was believed to be the treasure of mermaids, and sailors prized it as a protector against drowning or ship wreck.

It embodies all of the qualities of the ocean, including the way the water of the sea reflects the heavens.

Because of its association with the Throat chakra, Aquamarine is a stone for communicators.

Teachers and public speakers can access the stone’s ability to promote clear, confident speech.

It helps to overcome any fears associated with speaking, whether in private or public, and is an excellent stone for presenters of all kinds.

When used by those who need to deliver important messages to groups of people, this crystal can relax the speaker to the extent that they are fully aware of their own truth, wisdom, and feelings and are able to articulate them with clarity and conviction.

It also removes anger from communication of this kind and is a good choice for resolving verbal conflict.

 Aquamarine is said to promote quick wittedness and to enable the delivery of rapid responses when this is necessary.

It clears the mind and promotes intellectual perspicacity.

This crystal also shows us the truth about ourselves and bestows the discipline needed to make changes and the perseverance to see them through.

Aquamarine emits a gentle, compassionate energy that encourages service to the world.

It is believed to promote moderation and taking responsibility for your own actions.

It is said to be a stone of natural justice and inspires judgemental people to be more tolerant of others.

It also supports those who feel overwhelmed by the weight of their responsibilities and helps them to impose order on the perceived chaos.

It also encourages them to speak out and ask for help.

Aquamarine is often given as a love token in the form of eternity or engagement rings because of its reputation for encouraging fidelity, commitment, and loyalty between individuals.

Spiritual Healing Properties

Aquamarine has a high, fine vibration that sharpens intuition and opens clairvoyance, making it a wonderful stone to use in meditation.

It encourages spiritual growth and development and opens the channels of connection to the Divine and the energies of the cosmos.

It invokes states of higher consciousness and spiritual awareness.

Although the vibration of Aquamarine is often described as “feminine”, this crystal is a stone of empowerment for everybody.

It shows us that power does not come from the use of force but rather from allowing ourselves to align with the yielding, resilient vitality of life.

It can be used as a gateway stone for communicating with the Divine Feminine, both within the self and in Her outward manifestations, encouraging us to honor our feelings and to show tolerance and compassion to those who hold different beliefs from our own.

How to Use Aquamarine

Aquamarine uses as jewelry

As Jewelry

You can access the metaphysical qualities of Aquamarine by wearing it as gemstone jewelry.

Rings, necklaces, and earrings are all popular, and the value of the stone, in this case, does not affect its properties.

A deep blue, single crystal worn at the throat looks good, but a necklace of pale blue beads will benefit your Throat chakra just as much.

In-Home and Office

Pieces of tumbled or raw Aquamarine can be placed near your workstation if you spend a lot of time on electronic devices.

Its vibrations are said to protect us from the harmful effects of atmospheric pollutants.

Final Thoughts & Conclusion

Aquamarine evokes images of the sea, in all its peace and tranquillity.

It is excellent for reducing stress and quietening the mind, promoting courage, and helping sensitive people to overcome fears and shyness.

It makes a lovely gift for the zodiac signs of Aquarius and Pisces and combines well with pink stones such as Moldavite and Rose Quartz to amplify the nurturing, more feminine energies of the Universe.

References

American Gem Society | Gempundit | Gemstone | Gemsociety | Geology | GIA | Wikipedia

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