What is an Aquamarine Gemstone?

Take a look at the beautiful natural color of this stone and it’s not difficult to understand where the name for aquamarine came from. In Latin, it means “seawater” and the gem evokes the color of the beautiful tropical waters of the world's seas. Any swimmer, diver, sailor or water enthusiast that gazes deep into aquamarine know they are home.

Not surprisingly, ancient civilizations like the Romans believed aquamarine had special powers specifically linked to safety at sea.

There exists a darker blue type of aquamarine called Maxixe but it is the lighter, seawater-like color that one sees most commonly. The lighter or darker coloring of the stone is controlled by the type of iron in the mineral.

Aquamarine is mined in the USA as well as in Colombia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Kenya to name but a few. Some specimens have come out of the ground larger than 200lbs!

Aquamarine is the stone associated with the birth month of March so jewelry fashioned with this stone makes a great gift for those born in that month. Aquamarine is also associated with the zodiac sign Pisces.