Aquamarine crystal in metal stand from Minas Gerais, Brazil.

Aquamarine (Latin: aqua marina, "sea water") is a fairly valuable gemstone and various the mineral beryl. The colours are pale green, yellow-green, pale blue, or blue-green. Aquamarine is a common mineral and, like other beryllium-bearing minerals, occurs mainly in pegmatites. The localities include Brazil (Minas Gerais), Madagascar, the Urals, Nigeria, Pakistan, Mexico, India, Ireland, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, and the United States. Types of aquamarine: Santa Maria is a quality designation for exceptionally fine aquamarines. The mine bearing the same name is located in Ceará, Brazil. Santa Maria Africana: Quality designation for excellent aquamarines from Mozambique, on the market since 1991. The name 'Santa Maria' originates from Ceará, Brazil. The Maxixe aquamarine boasts a deep blue hue. The colour fades in sunlight. The original source of this aquamarine is the Maxixe mine located in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The product has been regularly available since the 1970s, but it appears to have been exposed to radiation. The colour is not colourfast. During the Middle Ages, people decorated statues of the Virgin Mary with aquamarine. Legend has it that the stone belonged to a mermaid and leads to love. Aquamarine is believed to warn against injustice when it discolours. Some natural healers attribute several medicinal effects to aquamarine, namely strengthening the immune system, combating seasickness and skin allergies and promoting peace and relaxation. Astrologers have different views of the zodiac signs with which Aquamarine is associated: Aquarius, Libra, Pisces, Aries, and Gemini.