Love is in the Earth!
Aquamarine gets its name from Latin words meaning water and sea and it is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal.The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. There are quite a few different gemstone-quality varieties of beryl, most of which are classified based on color and coloring agents, such as green emerald. Aquamarine also occurs with chatoyancy (cat’s eye effect) and asterism (star effect), which is extremely rare and very valuable. These specimens are available as cabochon cuts. Other gems that can closely resemble aquamarine include Larimar, amazonite, tourmaline, sapphire and spinel.
Most Popular Related Gemstones: Emerald, precious beryl, golden beryl, cat’s eye aquamarine and morganite are the most popular related gemstones. The most valuable aquamarines come from Brazil, but it is also mined in Kenya and Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Russia. . Aquamarines on the market today are usually faceted, but when cut as a cabochon, they may display a cat’s eye effect known as asterism.
Aquamarine is also listed as a birth/natal or star stone for:
- Modern Birthstone – March
- Planetary Stone – Pisces
- Sun Sign (Star Sign) – Scorpio
- Ancient Arabic, Hebrew, and Roman birthstone for October
Aquamarine is a decorative gem that complements almost any skin or eye color, which makes it an all-time favorite for women the world over. It is a popular gem, that is easy to wear, readily available, moderately priced, and steadily growing in popularity and demand. Aquamarine possesses a durable hardness, which qualifies it for any type of jewelry application.
How to Clean :
Aquamarine is one of the more durable of gemstones, and is rated at 7.5 on the Mohs scale (compared to diamond at 10). But it still requires careful handling and care. Avoid wearing aquamarine jewelry when working around harsh chemicals. To prevent scratches, always store aquamarine gemstones separately from other types of gemstone and gemstone jewelry. When cleaning, you can use warm soapy water and dry aquamarine gems and jewelry using tissue or a soft cloth. Be sure to rinse your stones well to ensure all soapy residue is removed. Wrap your stones in a soft cloth when storing them for extended periods of time, or place them into a fabric-lined box.
Metaphysical Qualities, Legend, and Healing Properties:
Aquamarine is a “stone of courage”. It enhances one’s ability for rapid intellectual response and helps one to remain impeccable through assimilation and knowledge concerning ones beginning and reality which one has actualized. It accelerates the intellectual reasoning processes and makes one unconquerable through learning- not only the physical world, but about oneself. It provides a shielding property for the aura and the subtle bodies.
It encourages the innate ability to ”always be prepared”. One way of protecting oneself, temporarily, from pollutants is to imagine the essence of aquamarine in the air on all sides- the difference in air quality is usually recognizable.
It emits a gentle and compassionate energy; it helps judgmental people to be more tolerant.
Aquamarine stimulates, activates the Throat chakra, facilitating communication of a higher quality.
Wearing aquamarine jewelry or holding an aquamarine crystal is said to release anger and negativity replacing them with mental peace and clarity, providing emotional and mental balance. Natural aquamarine jewelry 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. It is excellent for the eyes and for improving vision.
Since early times, aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and in the Middle Ages it was thought that aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons.
A legend says that sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to keep them safe and prevent seasickness. According to legend, aquamarine originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has since ancient times, been regarded as ‘the sailor’s lucky stone’. Aquamarine derives its name from the Latin term for seawater and has a long tradition of being a stone for those who spend much of their time at sea. The Greeks and the Romans knew aquamarine as the sailor’s gem too, believing that it ensured a safe and prosperous passage across stormy seas. Legend has it that aquamarines were the prized possessions of many mermaids and would thus protect sailors from the dangers of sea, including warding off sea-sickness.
In Antiquity, as well as in the Middle Ages people believed that the cosmos is reflected in gemstones. It is no surprise that aquamarine is assigned to the planet Neptune and is also one of March’s official birthstones. The esoteric movement revived the ancient belief and the gem industry made it another marketing tool to promote certain gems.
The healing powers of gems remains a controversial issue, but has been mentioned for centuries by healers, shamans and medicine men. Whether it’s factual or a placebo effect, it truly doesn’t matter as long as it helps people who need it. The best approach is to wear the gemstone in contact with the skin, especially close to the injured or troubled part of the body. Aquamarine is said to be of help for arthritis, eye inflammation, sore throat and varicose veins as well.
It is said to bring peace and calming to its owner, relieving stress and enhancing intuition. Crystal healers use aquamarine to harmonize diseased areas of the body.
Lastly astrological sign of Aquamarine is Scorpio and it vibrates to the number 1 for those of you interested in Numerology.
Please note that healing crystal meanings are spiritual supports to healing and are not prescriptions or healthcare information.
I will be covering the gifts of the mineral kingdom and their energetic influences in our daily lives.
There is more to come ♥♥♥♥♥