Aquamarine

Aquamarine is a term that was introduced into circulation at the beginning of 17th century by Boetius de Boot. Aquamarine is a variety of transparent beryls that have the color of sea water (Latin words aqua - water, marinus - sea). Therefore aquamarines sometimes called noble beryls. The coloring of aquamarine varies from greenish to dark-blue and depends on the content of ions of Iron in this mineral. The color of aquamarine can be brighter when exposed to evening or artificial lighting. Aquamarines mined in Ural and Transbaikalia have typical blue shades. In 1917 in Maxix mine in Brazil aquamarines of unusually deep sapphire blue color were found. They were called maxix aquamarines. Sometimes aquamarines include white inclusions, so-called chrysanthemum or snow marks. The stones with yellowish center and bluish edge are sometimes found.
Being exposed to sunlight the stone could lose its color and become pale. It's is known that beryls can have stable bluish coloring after being heated to +400-500 degrees of Celsius. This makes it difficult to diagnose natural aquamarines. It is very hard to distinguish aquamarines from natural blue topazes and synthetic quartzes.

Products

One of the biggest aquamarines was found in Brazil. It weighed 110 kilograms and was 48.5 centimeters long. One part of this crystal was cut up and processed into the faceted stones of excellent quality. In 1796 aquamarine weighing 82 kilos was found in East Transbaikalia. In Altai aquamarines longer than 60 centimeters were found. One of the biggest faceted aquamarines (920 carats) decorates the crown of British Queen. In 1891 the Easter Egg of Carl Faberge was presented to Russian tzar Alexander 3. It contained the model of Azov cruiser on which Cezarevitch Nikolay in 1890-1891 sailed along the eastern boundaries of empire. The model of cruiser with portholes made out of diamonds was attached to the plate of aquamarine that imitated sea water. Aquamarine Gem

The stone with saturated coloring are valued most. The color of aquamarine could seem slightly different when seen from different visual angles. This characteristic is taken into account when aquamarines are being faceted. The prices of decorations with aquamarine can vary depending on the size of stone from ten to several hundred dollars of the USA.

Magical properties

Aquamarine is an amulet of seamen and the talisman of naval commanders. There is no coincidence that ancient Roman and Greek depicted sea gods Neptune and Triton on aquamarine stones. Besides, aquamarine is a stone of friendship, justice and bravery. According to ancient legends, aquamarine changes its color depending on the mood of its owner and the weather.
In Tibet and Mongolian medicine aquamarine is considered a good biostimulant and a stabilizer of peace of mind. It helps to take off nervous stress and gain inner tranquility. Aquamarine guards its owner from dangers and fraud, strengthens spirituality and adds reasonableness. This stone calms down violent emotions of people, softens anger and annoyance. Aquamarine helps to stop stress and fear. Dishonorable people will get harmed if they wear aquamarine, because their tricks will be easily unmasked. Aquamarine Ring

From immemorial in the East there was a popular belief that the aquamarine changes its color depending on the condition of atmosphere and the mood of the owner. The stone has pure blue color only when the weather is crystal and the owner of the stone is innately calm and peaceful. During bad weather aquamarine grows dim and becomes green as a see before the storm. The color changes similarly when its owner is filled with melancholy and anxiety.

Healing stones

Aquamarine strengthens protective immune powers of organism, helps when someone has different skin and lungs diseases and relieves tooth pain. It is also considered that aquamarines favorably affect the work of stomach and liver. There is a popular belief that the decorations with aquamarine help to fight against nausea.

Astrology

There is a popular belief that aquamarine is an amulet for people who were born under the sign of Aquarius. In the Middle Ages astrologists attributed this stone to the sign of Libra. The decorations with aquamarine could be worn by people who were born under the signs of Libra, Pisce and Cancer. The people who were born under the signs of Scorpio and Twins should not wear such decorations.