Aquamarine is a stone of “noble blood”, one of the most beautiful varieties of beryl. Its closest “relatives” are emerald, sapphire, ruby. This fact probably explains the nature of the divine beauty of the mineral.

Sky blue stone. Charming, very clean and perfectly transparent. In nature, aquamarine is found much more often than emeralds and rubies, so the cost of the mineral is significantly more affordable. An interesting property of aquamarine is its two-tone color. If you change the angle of view, the shade of the stone changes and becomes either bluish or greenish.

Another interesting fact: aquamarine has the ability to change its shade when the weather changes. Just like the sea changes its color in clear weather and in stormy weather. The soft blue color of aquamarine fades and takes on a greenish tint before rain or storm. It was for this quality that aquamarine was highly valued by medieval sailors. No matter what part of the world they went to, they always took with them aquamarine talismans, which showed them the right path and protected them from storms, which pose a mortal danger in the open ocean. Ancient sailors believed that aquamarine was the materialized soul of the sea. It was believed that aquamarine was able to tame and pacify sea storms!

Since then, aquamarine has become one of the best talismans for travelers, or tourists in the modern sense. When going on vacation or a business trip, be sure to take this wonderful stone with you - it won’t hurt you! By the way, it was travelers who noticed that aquamarine alleviates the condition during seas and saves from “sea sickness”.

Romantic, gentle, light, brilliant! In nature, bluish-green, greenish-blue or gray-blue aquamarines are found. Absolutely all shades of aquamarine are light and airy. This mineral emits the finest vibrations, and its energy, in principle, is never “heavy”. His aura is light and “fragile”, but fragile only at first glance. Aquamarine is a durable, wear-resistant mineral. The high strength of the stone eliminates the appearance of scratches and other defects on the surface, preserving its excellent glassy shine for decades, which women like and enchants men.

Whatever aquamarine pebble you look at, it will remind you of either a clear sky or the surface of the sea. The aristocratic pale blue hue of the mineral is due to its iron content. The richer the shade of aquamarine, the higher its price. In the jewelry market, deep aquamarine is most valued. of blue color, reminiscent of the shade of sea water of tropical latitudes. The kind of water that washes the shores of the fabulously beautiful island of Mauritius or the island of Bora Bora. The name of the magical mineral is translated as “sea water”. The name of the stone is composed of two Latin words “aqua”, which means “water”, and “mare” - “more”. It is believed that the name of the stone was given by the ancient Roman writer Pliny the Elder, who, describing beryls, noted: “The most valuable of them are beryls, similar to the pure green of sea waters.”

There is probably no woman in the world who would remain indifferent if a piece of jewelry with aquamarine fell into her hands. The most delicate, sophisticated shade of the stone suits any eye color and appearance color type! It awakens in us the warmest feelings and pleasant sensations. Gives harmony, peace and happiness. Shades of water and sky give vitality, the brightest and purest thoughts. This is the color of divine height.

"Santa Maria", "Don Pedro", "Marta Roja" and other aquamarines of Brazil

Among the various shades of aquamarine, one variety stands out, widely known in the jewelry market under the name “Santa Maria” - the stones are rare, intensely colored and so beautiful that they have received special attention. Santa Maria aquamarines are mined in the Brazilian town of the same name, Santa Maria. Stones similar in shade are found in African deposits, which are also called “Santa Maria Africana”.

Espirito Santo is another shade of aquamarine that especially stood out in the “sea” of aquamarine splendor. True, its shade is not as blue as that of Santa Maria, but it is unique and noticeable. Espirito Santo is also mined in Brazil. Today the stone is in great demand on the global jewelry market.

"Marta Roja" is also a variety of aquamarine from Brazil, which was named after the Brazilian beauty queen of 1954.

As you might guess, today Brazil is one of the main suppliers of aquamarines in the world. The richest deposits, as well as amazing shades of the natural mineral, have formed a gigantic aquamarine market in these places. The largest, crystal clear sky blue aquamarines are born in the soil of South America, the best of which become museum exhibits and worthy adornments of private collections.

One of these is Dom Pedro, a twenty-six-pound aquamarine that was discovered in Brazil in 1992. This crystal is considered the largest cut aquamarine in the world. Today, the beautiful aquamarine is exhibited at the Washington National Museum, delighting all visitors. But he is not the largest aquamarine. In 1910, in the same place, in Brazil, in the city of Marambaya, an aquamarine weighing 110 kilograms was found! The color of this giant is no less remarkable - in the center the crystal is sky blue, golden rays emerge from it, turning into a light greenish tint at the ends of the mineral. The stone is fantastically beautiful.

But it is not only Brazilian soil that produces large aquamarines. The Russian expanses are quite worthy competition for them. The largest Russian aquamarine was found in 1796 in Transbaikalia. The weight of the crystal was 82 kilograms. Quite large aquamarines are regularly found in Altai and the Ilmen Mountains.

Record-breaking large aquamarines, of course, did not go unnoticed by the royal courts and entered the royal jewelry collections of many European countries. The Polish king Stanislaus even wanted to have an aquamarine scepter. By his order, a scepter 30 centimeters long was cut out of a large crystal, which today is kept in the Armory Chamber of the Moscow Kremlin. English kings also loved aquamarines. In the museum of the St. Petersburg Mining Institute you can see an aquamarine of amazing beauty with a diameter of 125 cm.

The “sea” aquamarine stone resembles a small crystallized piece of the ocean. It is not for nothing that this mineral has been considered a talisman of sailors for many centuries. According to an ancient ritual, an aquamarine stone must be lowered into water in the light of the sun's rays, and then the power of the stone will be maximally activated.

Aquamarine has also always been considered a stone of marriage. Talismans were worn with it to get married well and attract material well-being. In the old days, it was believed that this stone preserves the unity of spouses, harmonizes relationships, and puts them in a good mood. Aquamarine amulets – best helpers, cooling ardent debaters, preventing conflicts and quarrels, cooling raging passions. An excellent stabilizer of the emotional and mental sphere.

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A full-fledged “relative” of rubies and emeralds, it has the most powerful magical and healing properties. Every owner of aquamarine jewelry will certainly feel a truly unique gift of nature.

The favorite stone of magicians, aquamarine has been used in sorcery since the earliest stages of the development of human civilization. This divine mineral was considered one of the most powerful stones, with which they protected themselves from the strongest astral attacks. Therefore, they began to use it very early to create amulets and amulets. A stone of crystal purity and a divinely heavenly hue helps its owner to open and develop inner vision, the so-called “emotional mind,” which allows one to see and understand much more, feel deeper and stronger, and helps to “decipher” secret signs and messages of the Universe. For example, in India, aquamarine has been revered for many centuries as a mineral that strengthens the spirit, helping to expose deceit and deception. Indians believe that such a pure stone with a divine tint can only be worn by crystal-honest people who never lie. If a dishonest person uses the stone, then all his deceptions will certainly be exposed! This is a high-energy stone, capable of carefully correcting the thoughts and actions of its owners, imperceptibly redirecting attention from some primitive material things to the higher spheres of our universe. No wonder aquamarine has become a talisman of scientists and philosophers. The stone is conducive to intellectual work and puts you in a serious mood. The bright and positive energy of aquamarine significantly improves mood, revitalizes the mind and drives out laziness.

Aquamarine is a helper, a protector, and a wise “teacher.” Soft and delicate color radiation, as well as subtle vibrations of aquamarine calm the hot-tempered, cool the aggressive, educate the immoral, instilling positive thoughts in them. By the way, it has long been noted that aquamarine is able to protect its owner from bad company and bad habits, “wean” him off alcohol, help him quit smoking, etc.

From the history of aquamarine
Aquamarine has been known to mankind for a very long time, but worldwide fame for this luxurious stone came only in the Middle Ages. As mentioned earlier, the amazing properties of aquamarine were noticed by sailors and travelers - changing the shade in bad weather, warning of storms, treating seasickness, etc. The connection of aquamarine with the sea and ocean was defined by medieval sailors as nothing other than mystical. It was believed that it was best to wear aquamarine in the form of pendants, necklaces or beads, so that the “soul of the sea” would be closer to the heart. In the aristocratic environment, it was fashionable to combine aquamarines and diamonds in one product, symbolizing the elements of Water and Air. Bohemian beauties and insidious intriguers of the royal courts of Europe carefully observed the color of the stone of their rivals: if the sky-blue aquamarine became cloudy and acquired a greenish color, it meant that the lady was in a bad mood and in emotional distress. It was believed that aquamarine was able to reflect the mood and well-being of its owner. Also, a crystal clear stone warns its owner about a lie or an insidious plan directed against her - the stone changes color, loses transparency and darkens.

Aquamarines from India – large, perfectly clear crystals of a stunningly delicate, heavenly hue – were especially highly valued in medieval Europe. The jewelry collections of the British royal house today contain a lot of jewelry with luxurious Indian aquamarines.

Modern jewelry designers and jewelers love aquamarine. It is difficult to find a stone that, in terms of cutting, would be processed so differently and so variably - these are both time-tested classics and modern avant-garde types of cutting. No matter what shape the master gives to the aquamarine, the stone always looks amazing!

Imitations and similar stones
Aquamarine is often counterfeited or simply confused with stones of similar colors. Spinel in blue shades is very similar to aquamarine in rich tones. It is quite difficult for a non-professional to distinguish these stones. Spinel is an inexpensive mineral, so it is often passed off as the more valuable aquamarine. To determine the name of the stone, specialists hold it up to a lamp - under artificial lighting, spinel noticeably gives off red tints, which is completely uncharacteristic for aquamarine.

Aquamarines dark shades very similar to blue topazes. It should be noted that the brilliance of aquamarines is somewhat inferior to the brilliance of topaz in intensity. Another marker of difference is that topazes never have snow-white crystal-like inclusions, which can often be seen in aquamarines.

Aquamarine is often confused with pale varieties of sapphire. But don't forget one thing unique property aquamarine - two-color. If you change the angle of view, the shade of aquamarine changes, but sapphire does not!

Place of Birth

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The most significant deposits of aquamarine are located in Madagascar and Brazil (the largest specimens were found in Brazil). Aquamarine is also mined in Russia - in the Urals and Transbaikalia. Aquamarine is found in smaller quantities in Australia, the USA, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Ukraine, Namibia, Mozambique, Kenya, South Africa, and Tanzania.

Magic properties
Aquamarine belongs to the element of Water. Carries Yin energy.
Talismans with aquamarines protect their owners from dangers and deceptions, making them more reasonable and capable of making informed decisions. The stone helps to extinguish anger and negative emotions, relieves stress and fears. “Works” most actively in the ring on the little finger, index finger or ring finger. A good option– pendant or pendant with aquamarine.

Don't forget to look closely at your aquamarine and notice the change in its color - in clear weather, the aquamarine stone shines clear blue tint. In gloomy weather, the stone becomes cloudy and filled with green colors, like the sea before a storm. Perhaps this weather change indicator will one day serve you well.

Jewelry Aquamarines can be worn without restrictions by Aquarius, Libra, Pisces, and Cancer. Astrologers recommend wearing aquamarine with caution for Scorpios and Geminis. Aquamarine works worse with overly active people than with those with a calm and moderate disposition. The vibrations of the stone are very subtle, and violent energy can simply neutralize them. You should never forget that aquamarine is capable of revealing the deceptions of dishonest people, leading them to clean water.

Most of all, aquamarine favors Pisces, whose positive traits and abilities are greatly enhanced by the energy of this mineral. Harmonizes the interaction of spirit and body. Aquamarine protects representatives of this sign from negativity, reduces their reaction to everything negative, helps them develop intellectually and spiritually, be a faithful and devoted friend, cherish love and good relationships with loved ones and family. Aquamarine adds courage and bravery to Pisces, strengthens and increases self-esteem, and a sense of justice. The magical power of aquamarine helps representatives of the Pisces sign neutralize one of their main shortcomings - uncontrolled outbursts of emotions. The energy of the stone helps to avoid breakdowns, eliminate stress and avoid unnecessary, exhausting experiences.

Medicinal properties
Aquamarine, with its ability to change color, is considered an indicator not only of the weather, but also of the owner’s state of mind, its corrector and stabilizer. People who instantly flare up emotionally and lose control of themselves are advised to always have this divine mineral with them. This is an excellent natural biostimulant that works regardless of the horoscope and physiological state of the body. Aquamarine helps with various disorders of the nervous system - eliminates anxiety, feelings of anxiety and unreasonable fear, calms the psyche, and relieves overexcitement.

Indian yogis have been using aquamarine for thousands of years to activate the Vishuddhi throat chakra - this is one of the main energy centers of the human body, associated with the thyroid gland, responsible for managing emotions. Therefore, lithotherapists recommend that all women regularly wear aquamarine pendants and beads.

The renowned Tibetan and Mongolian medicine describes aquamarine as one of the best bioregulators, relieving tension and helping to find peace of mind. The healing mineral helps to heal from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidney diseases. Optimizes the functioning of the stomach and liver. Helps treat colds, runny nose, asthma.

Aquamarine can significantly relieve toothache and headaches. Helps treat common eye diseases. With regular examination of the stone and high concentration of attention, vision becomes sharper.

Jewelry with stones has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine glands and adrenal glands, normalizes the body's water metabolism, helps remove excess fluid from the body, which accelerates the process of weight loss.

Lithotherapists advise wearing aquamarine to strengthen the immune system, as well as to cleanse the body of toxins. The mineral normalizes the salt composition of the blood, which is a valuable and rare property.

It is believed that rings with aquamarines help get rid of various skin diseases, including allergic rashes. Aquamarine in general noticeably softens allergic reactions.

Aquamarine is a mineral from the large beryl family. The semi-precious stone received its name thanks to the famous encyclopedist writer Pliny the Elder in Ancient Rome. Translated from Latin, “aqua” means water, and “marin” means sea, which characterizes the color of the stone. The famous writer of Soviet times, K. Paustovsky, described the color of aquamarine as “the shade of a quiet sea with the light of stars.”

Due to relatively large quantity locations of the gem on Earth, aquamarine is a semi-precious stone, whose cost directly depends on the number of inclusions and weight. Large minerals with an intense blue color are considered the most expensive.

Historical demand for aquamarine

Representatives of ancient civilizations - the Sumerians and Egyptians - were the first to appreciate the beauty and properties of the gem. In numerous graves of nobles varying degrees Of great importance, jewelry and household items inlaid with aquamarine were discovered. Naturally, there could be no question of any filigree processing in those days, however, even then the gem was extremely popular.

Glasses whose lenses were made of aquamarine in 1300 AD have survived to this day.

The peak of incredible demand for the mineral and products made from it occurred in the Middle Ages.

External properties

These are very transparent crystals of all shades of blue - from pale to rich tones, sometimes with a barely noticeable greenish tint. There are also yellowish or yellow-green flowers.

Varieties and types of aquamarine

Aquamarines are classified by their original color. The most expensive ones are considered to be those with a rich, sapphire blue color. The cheapest ones are pale blue and yellowish green. In jewelry, gems are divided into three types:

• intense blue “Maxis Aquamarine”;
• green aquamarine;
• Almost colorless and transparent aquamarine.

Chemical and physical properties of the mineral

This is aluminum beryl silicate, often having inclusions in the shape of snowflakes, chrysanthemums or stars. The crystals that make up the stone are in the shape of a hexagonal prism. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron impurities included in the crystals.

• Aquamarine is fragile and breaks easily when struck.
• With prolonged exposure to heat, it darkens, acquiring deep, dense shades of blue.
• When exposed to direct sunlight for a long time, aquamarine turns pale and acquires a dirty yellow, brownish color.
• When you change the angle of view, you can see a different shade of the mineral’s usual color. That is, the stone has two colors.
• A distinctive feature is also its high wear resistance.

Gem deposits

The largest deposits of stone are located in Brazil, Madagascar, and the Urals. Aquamarine deposits of smaller volumes have been discovered and developed almost everywhere - in America, Ukraine, India, on the African continent and in Asian countries.

Medicinal properties

• Indian priests and healers associate the stone with the throat chakra, thereby affirming benefits of wearing it around your neck. According to such assumptions, aquamarine is able to cure the thyroid gland and calm the upset nervous system.
• Modern lithotherapists attribute to the gem the ability to stabilize the functioning of the liver and heart during excessive alcoholic libations and advise taking products with aquamarine on long vacations.
• There is also an opinion that the stone is able to eliminate the body’s reaction to exotic, unusual foods, thereby reducing the risk of allergies.
• And the statement of lithotherapists about the influence of aquamarine on the condition of the skin is absolutely incredible. They consider the gem to be a stone that inhibits the aging of the skin and the formation of wrinkles.
• On the advice of the same lithotherapists, aquamarine can relieve toothache, so owners of all kinds of dental diseases should definitely purchase products with aquamarine.

Using stone in magic

• Even in ancient times, aquamarine was considered a link between various sea gods and sailors embarking on a long journey full of unknown dangers. Therefore, superstitious representatives of this difficult profession considered the gem to be their professional mascot and firmly believed in the protective qualities of the “sea water” colored stone.
• Among Indians and Eastern countries, aquamarine is considered a stone capable of exposing a liar, deceiver, cunning. There is a belief that only a truthful, sincere person who has nothing to hide from others can wear the gem.
• The gem is credited with magical properties as a fighter against evil. There is an opinion that a person wearing aquamarine will definitely quit smoking, take drugs and alcohol, and will not become a malicious offender.
• It is believed that the mineral is able to warn the owner about future changes in his future: if the aquamarine has acquired a greenish tint, changes are ahead that do not promise anything good for the owner; if it has become cloudy, various storms and storms are expected on the owner’s personal front; if the stone has become cleaner and more transparent, tomorrow will be beautiful and lucky.
• According to magicians and other representatives of the numerous witchcraft fraternity, aquamarine gives its owner spiritual courage, confidence in your purpose and the correctness of your chosen life path.
• Also, magicians advise giving blue aquamarines set in silver, newlyweds, in order to preserve the sincere love and loyalty of a married couple for a long time.

Aquamarine and zodiac signs

Astrologers say that the stone is ideal for representatives of the signs Pisces and Cancer. Constant doubts and indecision, characteristic of these signs, seem to eat fish and crayfish from the inside, thereby preventing them from expressing themselves. Aquamarine, on the contrary, stabilizes the emotional state and gives confidence in the future.

The mineral does not combine at all with representatives fire element– Sagittarius and Gemini, due to the excessive vital activity of these signs.

Curious facts

• The largest crystal discovered in the entire history of aquamarine mining is the famous Brazilian “Marambaya”, which has a “live” weight of 110 kilograms.
• The British Empire Crown is set with a 95-carat aquamarine.
• In France, a bust of Napoleon III was carved from a single, six-kilogram stone.
• In Russia, in the 18th century, a gem weighing 85 kilograms was discovered in the Urals.
• In the Kremlin Armory, a thirty-centimeter scepter, a symbol of the power of the Polish King Stanislaus, carved from solid stone, is on public display.

What is the difference between real and fake?

• The most cheap fake aquamarine artificially grown spinels are considered. Such stones can be visually distinguished from a real gem by air bubbles, which never exist in aquamarine.
• Artificial cultivation of aquamarine is impractical, as it is economically unprofitable.
• Blue topazes, which do not have the “snow” flakes characteristic of the stone, are often mistaken for aquamarine.

Caring for aquamarine at home

1. Due to the ability of the stone to change the color of water when exposed to direct sunlight, it is not recommended to constantly wear jewelry with aquamarine.
2. When doing various housework, it is better to remove the rings with it.
3. From time to time you should clean it in soapy water using a very soft brush. Then you should soak the product in a strong saline solution overnight and rinse under running water. This procedure will not only return aquamarine to its former shine, but also, according to esotericists, has the property of washing away “dirty” energy from the surface of the mineral.

Product photos

Aquamarine- a mineral, a variety of beryl, beryllium aluminosilicate with a ring structure. In the structure of aquamarine, like all beryls, there are rings of a regular hexagonal (hexagonal) shape, located one above the other, forming hollow channels. Aquamarine retains the name given to it by Pliny the Elder, who, describing beryls, noted that the most valuable of them are beryls, their color reminiscent of the pure green of sea waters (from the Latin aqua - water, mare - mope).

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STRUCTURE

Aquamarine belongs to the hexagonal system of the dihexanal-bipyramidal symmetry class. Aquamarine's structure consists of rings connected through Be and Al atoms. The rings form columns elongated along the sixth order axis. Columns of rings are connected by beryllium-oxygen tetrahedra and aluminum-oxygen octahedra. The channels can accommodate water molecules, cesium and sodium ions.
Aquamarine crystals are often characterized correct form. Their size varies greatly. Usually the crystal habit is prismatic. Figures of growth and dissolution are often observed on the faces of crystals. When dissolved, spear-shaped crystals sometimes form. Aquamarine also occurs in the form of parallel, sheaf-shaped, radial and columnar aggregates.
In addition to the gas-liquid inclusions characteristic of all beryls, often located in thin channels, solid inclusions are sometimes observed in aquamarines white, called “chrysanthemums” and “snow signs”, layers of small crystals, thin needle-like inclusions.
The color of aquamarines is due to the isomorphic inclusion of Fe 2 + and Fe 3 + ions in the structure of beryl.

PROPERTIES

The crystals are large, their mass can reach several tens of kg. It also forms continuous granular masses. Hardness on the Mohs scale 7.5-8. Density 2.6-2.8 g/cm3. Its color is due to the presence of iron impurities, under the influence of sunlight turns pale. The color intensity increases after heating to 400 °C. Due to its fragility, the stone is easy to crush. It does not melt under the soldering tube, only the edges of the fragments are slightly rounded, and the transparent differences become cloudy (at high temperatures).

MORPHOLOGY

Despite the uniform color of the crystals, samples are known where the color is distributed zonally. The Brazilian aquamarine “Marambaya”, discovered in 1910, whose weight was 110 kg, deserves attention. In the center the crystal was blue, along the edges it was light green, and in the intermediate part it was yellow. The mineral was cut, one part was sent to New York, and the other was cut into small pieces and used to make cut stones. Jewelry made from them later spread throughout the world.
Other notable examples of aquamarine found in Brazil:
"Kachasina", 62 kg.
"Marta Roja", 34 kg.
"Etrela Dalva", 22 kg.
Large aquamarine crystals have also been found in Russia. The first was discovered at the end of the 18th century in Eastern Transbaikalia. And the largest specimen from this deposit was 82 kg. The very first crystals of Russian stones were found in 1669 in the Urals in the Murzinsky fort.
Nowadays special attention deserves an aquamarine deposit in Ukraine; crystals weighing up to 15 kg were found here. Among other things, these are aquamarines of unique color purity and transparency. The stones acquired this property thanks to weathering processes that dissolved dirty areas in the cracks of the crystals.

ORIGIN

The main places where aquamarines are formed are considered to be greisens and pegmatites - deposits that appeared during the “steaming” of rocks with hot gases and solutions.
Similar deposits are being developed in Siberia and Transbaikalia. Gems that can be found in the Urals are mainly milky turquoise in color. Transbaikal, Ural and Volyn mines (Ukraine) are also rich in aquamarines, incomparable in color and transparency. In transparent Ural stones along the edges it is possible to notice light silvery oblique “streams”, similar to rain streams. On the edges of opaque milky-blue minerals there is a pearlescent tint, as if giving aquamarine a silky feel. The main deposits of the mineral have been discovered in Brazil; there are mines in the USA, India, South Africa, Burma, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Namibia.
The largest supplier of aquamarine is Brazil, which accounts for up to half of the world's production of the mineral. Rare deep blue stones called “Santa Maria” are mined on the territory of the state. The second deposit of the highest quality crystals is located in Mozambique. Blue Mozambican aquamarines are called "Santa Maria Africana"

APPLICATION

There are imitations made of glass. Synthetic aquamarine is not produced on an industrial scale (it is not economically feasible). Synthetic spinel or corundum is often passed off as “artificial aquamarines.”

Aquamarine - valuable jewelry stone. The relatively large supply of raw materials leads to the fact that, first of all, large stones weighing over 10 carats of a dark blue color are in demand. To achieve this effect, most stones after cutting are subjected to calcination (up to 400-500 °C) or irradiation, and as a result of the reduction of ferric iron, a color change occurs - for example, from greenish-blue to blue. Assessing the quality of stones for jewelry production takes into account the size of the crystal, the presence of cracks and inclusions. The most valuable on the international market are cut stones over 3 carats of intense blue color. Cracks and inclusions reduce the cost by 60-70%.
Large specimens are in the collections of the British Museum, the American Museum of National History, and the Smithsonian Institution. Large collections of aquamarines are also located in Russia, Iran and Turkey. Ukrainian faceted aquamarine weighing 139 g or 695 carats is in the “Colored Stones” salon in Moscow (data from 1985).

Aquamarines were used to decorate royal crowns and used them as lenses for glasses (the first lenses date back to 1300). The largest known faceted stone weighs 2,594 carats. One of the largest (184 g or 920 ct) faceted aquamarines is inserted into the crown of the Queen of England.
Aquamarines are usually cut in steps or wedges with a rectangular or oval shape, but the emerald cut is most often used.

Aquamarine - C

CLASSIFICATION

Strunz (8th edition)	8/E.12-10
Nickel-Strunz (10th edition)	1.3.5.1
Dana (8th edition)	61.1.1.1
Hey's CIM Ref.	16.6.1

For many centuries in a row, natural aquamarine gem its crystal purity excites many connoisseurs. The shades of this stone are compared to the color of the sea wave and heavenly radiance.

Some specimens have greenish and bluish-green shades. Those connoisseurs who understand gems will certainly appreciate it, and contemporaries even attribute healing and magical properties to the stone.

This article will discuss in detail physicochemical characteristics stone, what effect does aquamarine have, its healing and magical properties, care, cost, and also about zodiac signs: who is it suitable for, and should you refuse to purchase the gem?

History of the stone

The history of the stone says that for many centuries it was a talisman for sailors of Ancient Rome and Greece, who felt a piece of the ocean in it.

It could even be found in such objects of art as:

• headdress of Pope Julius II;
• the scepter of the Polish king Stanislaus, kept in the Armory, which consists of aquamarine.
• bust of the French Emperor Napoleon III;
• plate of a Faberge egg, which depicted the surface of the sea. The egg was made by order of Emperor Alexander III.

Archaeologists have found many burials of ancient craftsmen who made figurines from “heavenly” stone in the form of mythical monsters, rulers of ancient civilizations and gods.

Types and colors of aquamarine

Currently, three shades of aquamarine are already known:

1. blue, found in the Transbaikal mines;
2. green, in particular, mined in the south of the Urals;
3. blue, native to South America.

The main variety of stone that gained worldwide fame was sapphire blue aquamarine, found in Brazil. In honor of the Maxis mine where it was mined, the stone was nicknamed “Maxis Aquamarine”.

Place of Birth

Stone deposits are primarily observed in:

• America;
• Africa;
• Pakistan.

Aquamarine deposits are also found in:

• Australia;
• India;
• Ukraine;
• Sri Lanka.

We must not forget Russia, because the Urals also have a large location not only of minerals, but also of precious stones.

Today, Brazil ranks first in the production of the largest minerals in the world. According to irrefutable sources, a sapphire-blue stone weighing more than 100 kg was found there.

Physico-chemical properties of stone

“Sea stone” is one of the varieties of the beryl group, which has high wear resistance.

The chemical composition of the stone in percentage and increasing order consists of:

1. beryllium oxide – 14.1%;
2. aluminum oxide – 19%;
3. silicon oxide – 66.9%.

In addition, the stone contains impurities such as:

• vanadium;
• lithium;
• potassium;
• sodium;
• cesium;
• rubidium.

In rare cases, chromium impurities can be found.

The stone has the effect of " cat eye"and has a two-color feature, which depends on the viewing angle and direction of the sun's rays. But we must not forget that direct sunlight on this gem can lead to fading. On the contrary, artificial light does not harm the properties of stones in any way.

The physical properties of the crystal include the following:

1. It is noted that when aquamarine is heated to a temperature of +400 degrees Celsius, it acquires a bright blue pronounced tint.
2. Hardness on the Mohs scale is almost 8 units. This is considered to be a high hardness of the mineral and makes it no less resistant to many external influencing factors, however, it is quite fragile so that it can be damaged. 3. Density ranges from 2.75 to 3 units, has transparency and glass luster, has a hexagonal prism shape and has an uneven fracture.

And the stone was also used to make lenses for glasses.

Medicinal properties

To treat people suffering from certain diseases, the healing properties of aquamarine are used.

It treats diseases such as:

• toothache;
• pneumonia;
• skin allergies;
• thyroid disease;
• reduces stomach pain;
• removes toxins from the body;
• in older people, a green-colored stone can even cure heart problems.

Since the natural mineral is used in jewelry, most people who wear it benefit from the following body indications:

1. vision;
2. maintaining immunity;
3. the work of the adrenal glands and endocrine glands.

Magic properties

Amulets have been made from this mineral both before and now, and also help to find secret meaning in events and in exposing a dark personality.

IN modern world this talisman is called " aquamarine stone of friendship and loyalty". Lovers believe that aquamarine influences relationships, happiness and married life.

There are beliefs regarding the “sea stone”:

1. Eliminates laziness and blues.
2. Improves brain function.
3. Gives a positive charge and vigor throughout the day.
4. Improves mood.

The mineral affects the mood, and because of this, the shade of the crystal changes. Something similar can be observed in any weather conditions. For example, if the weather is good and the owner is in a good mood, then the stone will shine blue. If the weather is cloudy and the owner is in a gloomy mood, the shade may acquire a greenish color. It has been observed that wearing jewelry every day can make a person sad.

Legends associated with this mineral often circulate among people:

• They say that this is the stone of Poseidon himself, the ruler of the seas and oceans.
• Relieves stress, dispels fears and even improves vision.
• Brings calm weather to sailors.
• People who are deceitful and afraid of being exposed will never wear this stone.
• Treats many diseases.

Magicians attach great importance to this stone and claim that this mineral directs a person’s energy and thoughts in the right direction, forcing him to follow the laws of virtue. It serves as a kind of barrier against slander and gossip, and by the cloudiness of the stone, the owner can guess that his interlocutor is blatantly lying to him.

In magical practice aquamarine is aimed at finding missing things. Even in ancient times, it was worn by high officials at court, believing that this talisman would protect against poison, which was often used to overthrow rulers and those close to them.

Thus, believing in magical power aquamarine stone, the significance of the stone is difficult to overestimate.

It is no exception that the stone is suitable for people endowed with eloquence and helps calmly resolve disputes, proving the owner is right. The owner of a natural crystal will never be at a loss for words, and will easily come to any compromises, since the properties of the mineral are true.

The magical properties of the crystal help solve problems such as:

• letter accusing the owner;
• poor child rearing;
• cases related to judicial and legal activities;
• leaving a man or a woman;
• quarrels with family and friends.

The aura of the stone helps to create certain conditions for such people who can rarely get along with each other and different interests and views on the same things.

Some monks use crystal during meditation. It helps to find happiness, peace of mind, find certain sounds, and also opens up paranormal abilities.

It is believed that if you send “ sea ​​stone"to the north and peer into it, trying to “burn” the stone with your gaze, then you can see your guardian angel.

Magicians who use this gem in their activities can draw a lizard on it, and when a lazy or deceitful person receives it as a gift, he can return to the path of truth and hard work. The stone also easily removes the evil eye and damage.

To enhance the magical properties of aquamarine, experienced owners advise rinsing it with running water. Usually the talisman is worn on the chest, but after a long time, its owner may fall into inexplicable melancholy. As a rule, this is indicated by the greenish tint of the stone, and if the owner sees that his jewelry has changed color, it would be best to remove the crystal for a while.

Products with aquamarine

The natural mineral aquamarine is used by jewelers to create jewelry. When stones are subjected to heat treatment, peculiar gas bubbles are formed inside.

The following inclusions are especially appreciated and increase the cost:

• chrysanthemums;
• snowflakes;
• stars.

According to many jewelers, aquamarine stone decoration will not spoil, but, on the contrary, will give them sophistication and sophistication.

This crystal is present in famous brands:

• Gucci;
• Nina Ricci;
• Emilio Pucci et al.

Fashionable frames and jewelry cost incredible amounts of money, but you can still find jewelry at the best prices.

These include:

• pendants;
• earrings (silver and gold);
• pendants;
• necklace;
• beads

“Sea Stone” suits any eye color and all kinds of outfits. It emphasizes the girl’s image, and she can safely go out and become part of the evening look.

Aquamarine care

Aquamarine is considered the stone of eternal youth, and to maintain this purest natural crystal, you need to properly care for it.

This requires:

1. keep it away from sunlight;
2. if absolutely necessary, wash with running water and keep clean;
3. use a specially designated toothbrush to clean the edges of the stone;
4. keep the jewelry in trusted salt to remove negative energy (this should be done for 24 hours and extremely rarely, then rinse it with running water and flush the salt down the toilet).

How to check the authenticity of a stone?

There are several verification options:

1. Color. A real stone has a bright blue or greenish-blue color. There are greenish and yellowish shades - it all depends on where the stone was found.
2. Presence of natural inclusions. Depends on its hardness, density and refraction. Some crystals contain whitish inclusions in the form of snowflakes, stars, and chrysanthemums. If there are any, all doubts are gone – this is a real aquamarine.
3. Natural stone is transparent and shiny.
4. The stone should have a slight fracture.
5. Stones such as topaz and sapphire can imitate aquamarine. Only when heated can one say for sure whether it is natural gem fake or not.
6. Blue spinel. It is quite often found on sale and very accurately imitates a gem. A jeweler or consultant can easily distinguish real stone from a fake, but the buyer is unlikely. Therefore, in such cases you should contact specialists.

Aquamarine cost

If desired, you can purchase aquamarine stone, price the mineral will depend on the weight of the stone and its color. Most women prefer a dark blue crystal, so such jewelry will cost more than, for example, an emerald.

Pure "sea stone" weighing 10 carats reaches price at 250 dollars per 1 carat . Weight measured in grams varies from 1500 to 2 thousand rubles per gram . However, collectible stones will be more expensive.

Who is aquamarine suitable for?

To figure out who is most suitable for aquamarine, you need to know your zodiac sign.

• Cancer (will help find solutions to love issues);
• (the stone will help you find an understanding that the people with whom a person communicates take advantage of his kindness). Since the sign of Pisces is ruled by the Moon, the gem is usually called “ Moonstone aquamarine".

However, you need to remember that a gem reveals all the secrets of the owner of such jewelry, and if Cancer or Pisces has “dark” secrets, you should not make the secret obvious and switch to simpler stones.

But if a person is doing well and has no secrets, it will even help cope with diseases such as:

• alcoholism;
• heavy smoking;
• drugs.

How does the stone help the signs of the zodiac cycle that benefit from wearing it:

1. Protects lovers and newlyweds from troubles and disagreements.
2. Strengthens friendship between boys and girls.
3. Helps direct your intellect in the right direction.

For those who prefer rings, astrologers advise wearing them on the index finger of the left or right hand– this can speed up career advancement. And to strengthen family relationships, it is advised to put the ring on your ring finger.

Each owner must remember that this jewelry should not be worn for a long time, so that it does not change its color to green and does not make its owner sad.

Aquamarine and zodiac signs

Aquamarine compatibility with zodiac signs:

1. Sometimes a natural gem is also attributed to Libra, although this is a mistake, since amethyst is more suitable for them. If Libra does wear this gem, it can warn them of approaching danger both from outside and within themselves. Read more about can be read here.
2. In rare cases, aquamarine is suitable for Aquarius, helping them relax and relieve tension.
3. Gemini, Sagittarius and Scorpio Under no circumstances should they wear this stone, as they do not get along with it, and its properties will have a detrimental effect on their condition and communication. The stone forces you to tell the truth, and these three zodiac signs prefer to conceal some details. Although astrologers suggest that Gemini can be put on the positive list. The crystal sometimes helps solve internal problems that plague Gemini.
4. Taurus The stone can help in business, however, other talisman stones are more suitable for earth elements.
5. Lions they try not to pay attention to the stone, which is more suitable for the water elements. The crystal will force him to be calmer and more reasonable, which clearly does not fit with such a violent and fiery sign.
6. Virgo, Capricorn and Aries never encounter aquamarine in their life. For example, Capricorns prefer dark stones (and agate), which give them strength and knowledge. Virgos prefer it because it gives her career growth. Aries leans towards fire stones. Ruby influences his character and life path, and also provides support in his health.

This crystal will be able to protect its owner from various unpleasant situations if he also takes care of it. It is only important to choose the right stone and not buy a fake.

➤ Aquamarine. Gemstone

The aquamarine gemstone (noble beryl, aquamarine) is a type of transparent beryl. The name “aquamarine” is translated from Latin as “sea water”.

Indeed, the color of aquamarine resembles the color of sea water. Although there are aquamarines in other shades - green, blue, yellow, golden and even pink. Moreover, color saturation can increase in evening or artificial lighting. Or it can change depending on the viewing angle (which is very important to consider when cutting gemstone). And some aquamarines are subjected to heat treatment in order to make them more beautiful (or even change color altogether). In addition, aquamarines can sometimes lose color when exposed to sunlight for a long time (heat treatment - heating the aquamarine to 500 degrees - can also make the color last longer).

There are aquamarines with a transitional color - for example, with a yellow center and blue edges or blue in the center and greenish on the edges.

In Brazil, aquamarines of an unusual blue-sapphire color are mined, which are called maxix aquamarines (Maxis is the name of the mine).

Sometimes aquamarines contain inclusions - “snow signs” or they are also called “chrysanthemums”.

Aquamarine can often be confused with blue topaz or synthetic quartz.

In nature, aquamarines can reach very large sizes. The record belongs to a Brazilian stone, whose weight is just over 110 kilograms and its length is 48.5 cm. Part of this aquamarine is kept in the New York Museum, the rest was sawn into individual stones. And in the Kremlin Armory is kept the scepter of the Polish King Stanislaus, 30 cm long, which was carved from solid aquamarine.

The price of aquamarine increases with the color saturation of the stone. The most expensive and rare are blue aquamarines. Price - from 80 to 150 dollars per 1 carat, depending on the purity and size of the stone. Aquamarines of bright blue color are highly valued. Their cost ranges from 40 to 100 dollars per carat. Aquamarines with a greenish tint are valued lowest - from 5 to 50 dollars per carat. But often greenish aquamarines are irradiated or calcined to remove the greenish tint. Aquamarine beads of poor non-jewelry quality can be purchased for $100-300.

Aquamarine has long been considered strong magical amulet. Sailors made amulets and talismans from aquamarine, which were supposed to protect them on the way. There was also a belief that aquamarine protects its owner from various dangers and deception, makes its owners sensible, and gives courage. In addition, this gem extinguishes the intensity of emotions and pacifies anger.

However, aquamarine can direct its magic against its owner if he wants to deceive someone or commit a dishonest act. It is not for nothing that aquamarine is considered a symbol of justice.

And it is also believed that aquamarine can change color depending on the mood of the owner or the environment. When everything is good, the aquamarine will shine with a pure blue color, and before bad weather, during a bad mood, or when the owner is in any danger, the aquamarine will begin to become cloudy and dark as a warning.

Aquamarine has also long been used in medicinal purposes. It was believed that this stone strengthens the immune system of the whole body, helps with skin diseases and toothache, and stimulates the liver. In addition, aquamarine is believed to effectively cope with seasickness.