Aquamarine Facts

The aquamarine is one of the birthstones of March and has long had an association with the sea. The name comes from the Latin "aqua" and "marina," which mean water and sea---a reference to the color of the gem.

Theories/Speculation

Sailors subscribed to the belief that if they wore an aquamarine they would have complete protection from any dangers at sea and come home from a voyage in good health.

Color

Aquamarines are a pale blue color, closely resembling the shade of clear ocean water on a sunny day. The gem comes in shades of greenish blue to a more pale blue.

Geography

Brazil is the country that produces the largest number of aquamarines, but the gem also comes from nations such as Madagascar, Zambia, Mozambique, Nigeria and Pakistan.

Chemistry

The presence of trace amounts of iron in an aquamarine are what gives it its color. The aquamarine is a very hard stone, with a Mohs scale of hardness rating of around 8, making it an excellent stone for a wide selection of jewelry.

Fun Fact

The aquamarine belongs to the same family of jewels as the emerald. It is a type of beryl, which is a mineral that in its purest form is completely colorless.

References

• March: Aquamarine
• Aquamarine
• Aquamarine, the Blue Beryl