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Locations: Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia  Colors Found: Pastel blue to bluish green  Family:  Beryl  Hardness:  7.50 - 8.00  Refractive Index:  1.57 - 1.59  Relative Density:  2.68 - 2.80

The sheer beauty of Aquamarine, with its wonderful color and fantastic clarity, makes it popular with both the collector and the wearer of fine jewelry. It will come as no surprise that its name was derived from the Latin words for “water of the sea”.

Blue, the world’s most popular color, is famous for its calming effect, and out of all the blues available none match the serenity found in Aquamarine. Aquamarine embodies all that is natural. Aquamarine, the sparkling birthstone for March, ranges from pastel blue to light green, its passive tones reminiscent of an invigorating sea breeze.

Since antiquity, Aquamarine has been seen as a gemstone of great vision, its crystals often being used as eyes in the creation of sculpted statues that symbolize power and wisdom. According to legend, any man or woman that set eyes on these statues became a person of great wisdom harnessing the ability to see into the future. On occasions, these statues were placed in strategic positions near the coastline where they could calm the wrath of the god Poseidon, thus insuring the safe return of those on ships at sea.

Aquamarine has long been associated with its ability to capture oceanic energy. When amulets made of Aquamarine were worn, sailors believed that unmatched bravery would be instilled in their souls. These fisherman’s friends accompanied their owners while out on the high seas, and in the event of a storm, were tossed overboard to placate Poseidon’s anger. Interestingly, Thai culture contains a common belief that Aquamarine can ward off seasickness and prevent wearers from drowning. Because of its association with the sea, Aquamarine is considered to be a gemstone of purification and cleansing that washes the mind with fresh clear thoughts and promotes self-expression. Its calming effects make it a popular gemstone for those who practice meditation, as it is also believed to eradicate fears and phobias.

Aquamarine, symbolizing the near perfect clarity and transparency of the ocean, is the big sister of the Beryl family whose relatives also include Bixbite, Goshenite, Emerald, Heliodor and Morganite. Brazil has been the world’s major supplier of Aquamarine for decades. The famous Marambaia area is one of the most important sources of fine Aquamarine in the world.

Today however, several African nations, including Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia and Madagascar provide an equal, if not greater supply of similarly beautiful examples. The different shades of Aquamarine are distinguished by their own names. “Santa Maria” is the name of the rare, intensely deep blue Aquamarine found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mines of Brazil. Very similar colors are also found in certain mines in Africa, especially in Mozambique, where they have come to be known as “Santa Maria Africana”. Another Brazilian beauty is the deep blue “Espirito Santo”, coming from the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo. Another beautifully colored variety has taken its name from a 1954 Brazilian beauty queen, “Martha Rocha”.