Seeming to embody the light blue of a clear sky or the deep blue of a calm sea, Aquamarine is sought worldwide for its fine, clear color range. The blue color evokes many good feelings- harmony, calmness, trust, longevity, and friendship. It also complements just about every eye shade or complexion.

The name ‘Aquamarine’ derives from the Latin words “aqua”, meaning water, and “mare” meaning sea. Thus Aquamarine has an inescapable link to the sea. It has been thought to be a lucky stone for sailors, and was hoarded in the treasure chests of mermaids of legend. Its powers were thought to be heightened if the stone was left to soak in sun-heated water. Carrying an Aquamarine was to guarantee a happy married life and to bring richness and happiness to the owner.

Aquamarine is related to the Emerald, and may show almost a greenish hue, though its color is more evenly distributed than an Emerald’s. Both stones belong to the gemstone family of Beryls. Aquamarine is more frequent in occurrence, and is usually almost free of inclusions. Its hardness is 7 to 7 on the Moh’s scale, which keeps it from being easily scratched. Iron is the mineral which causes the color, and the more intense the color the higher the value. A pure, clear blue is the most cherished of Aquamarines.

The different shades of Aquamarine have their own names. “Santa Maria” is found in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, and is a deep, intense blue. “Santa Maria Africana” is found in mines in Mozambique, and have similar coloring to their Brazilian counterparts. The “Espirito Santo” come from the Brazilian state of Espirito Santo, and are a lighter blue. The “Martha Rocha” is named from a Brazilian beauty queen circa 1954.

Brazil is thus deduced as the main country where most Aquamarines are found. Occasionally, large colorful Aquamarine crystals of immaculate transparency are found here. Now and then even extraordinarily large crystals are found, such as in 1910 at Maraimba- Minas Gerais, where a 110.5 kg crystal was mined. There is also the "Dom Pedro” weighing 26 kg, which was cut in 1992 by Idar-Oberstein gemstone artist Bernd Munsteiner, and achieved the title of largest ever cut Aquamarine. Aquamarines are also found in other countries, such as Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan or Pakistan.

Aquamarine has a versatility that outshines other gemstones. It is beautiful whether uncut or with many inclusions, or cut in classical steps. Designers often claim it as their favorite stone. An Aquamarine is most valuable when as transparent as possible, as inclusions are easily discernable within its light coloring. Occasionally though, the imperfections add a sort of special effect to the lighting. Aquamarine lends itself to creative freedom to those who bring out the brilliance with small fissures, traces, and rounded edges.