Description
Aquamarine (Latin: aqua marina, "seawater") is a fairly precious gemstone and a variety of the mineral beryl. Its color is pale green, yellow-green, pale blue, or blue-green. Aquamarine is a common mineral and, like other beryllium-bearing minerals, occurs primarily in pegmatites. Localities include Brazil (Minas Gerais), Madagascar, the Urals, Nigeria, Pakistan, Mexico, India, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and the United States. Types of aquamarine: Santa Maria – Quality designation for very good aquamarines. The name refers to the mine of the same name in Ceará, Brazil. Santa Maria Africana: Quality designation for good aquamarines from Mozambique, marketed since 1991. The name is derived from the 'Santa Maria' quality from Ceará, Brazil. Maxixe aquamarine – Dark blue aquamarine. The color fades in daylight. Originally from the Maxixe mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Regularly offered since the 1970s, it has apparently been irradiated. The color is not colorfast. In the Middle Ages, statues of the Virgin Mary were adorned with aquamarine. Legend has it that the stone belonged to a mermaid and leads to love. It warns of injustice when the stone discolors. Some naturopaths attribute several medicinal properties to aquamarine, namely strengthening the immune system, combating seasickness and skin allergies, and promoting peace and relaxation. Astrologers have differing views on the zodiac signs associated with aquamarine: Aquarius, Libra, Pisces, Aries, and Gemini.
