The Diverse Lore, History and Modern Benefits of Aquamarine

The Diverse Lore, History and Modern Benefits of Aquamarine
A Preface to the History, Geology and Current Metaphysical Benefits of Aquamarine 

The beautiful sea blue to bluish-green coloring of aquamarine is alluring, and therefore, this delicate pretty blue gemstone is a treasured choice for many.  Most of us, if not all, are attracted to the sea.  The blues and teals of aquamarine bring us just a little closer and connect us to the sea and even the sky. 

Aquamarine is technically a beryl with an interesting gemology.  It has been loved and treasured since ancient times and has been and still is used both ornamentally and metaphysically.  The following represents a comprehensive introduction to the world of aquamarine.  If you already have a crystal, ring or strand of beads, enjoy learning and reading about your new treasure.

Etymology and Notable Occurrences of Aquamarine Today

• The etymology is simple and originally comes from two Latin words, aqua and marinus.  Together, they mean water of the sea.  

• Today, aquamarine is found and quarried in several notable localities in the USA, Brazil, Columbia, Zambia, Kenya, Madagascar, Tanzania and Malawi.  

• The highest gemstone qualities come from perhaps Brazil where both the largest uncut crystal specimen and largest faceted stone come from.  Both are huge!  The uncut aquamarine weighed nearly 243 pounds and measured 19 x 17inches.  The faceted stone (an obelisk) weighs 10,363 carats (nearly 5pounds) and measures 14 inches tall, and it is on display at the Smithsonian, Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C.  It is a beauty!  I’ve seen it, and it is stunning (along with the rest of that amazing gem hall at the museum!  It is absolutely the best and is not surpassed.)

• If you live in the US and know of local mines near you where people are allowed to go and give it a try, ask about aquamarine.  Aquamarine is actually one of the easier stones to find, as it is prevalent in gem quality and non-gem specimen quality.  Finding your own aquamarine stones would surely be a day of fun.
  

Aquamarine and Its Long History

• As with most stones, the first found or written discovery of aquamarine is unknown.  It is a very ancient well-liked, celebrated stone, as amulets of aquamarine have been found and dated back to as early as 500 BC.
• Perhaps because of its ease to cut, lovely alluring color and wide prevalence, aquamarine has a diverse history surrounded by lore and use.
• Ancient Egypt and Samaria treasured aquamarine for its color and believed it was a stone that brought happiness and protection to its wearer.  It symbolized eternal youth and was highly valued. 
• During the middle ages, the value of aquamarine remained and was considered the best of divining stones.  Crystal spheres for scrying carved from aquamarine were more prized than those of quartz.  It was believed that the aquamarine spheres and bowls were the most powerful in divining. 
• The very first stone pendulums were made at this time as well, and aquamarine was the superior choice.  Due to its long history and association with scrying and divining, even today, it is used by some to help locate lost items by using a sphere, bowl (with water) or pendulum cut from aquamarine. 
• In ancient Rome, aquamarine was used for the same benefits but also was used for anything ranging from battles and legal disputes to uses in love and happiness.  In battles, if aquamarine was worn as an amulet or ring, it was believed the wearer was invincible.  It protected those out at sea.  It was said to bring romance back into the lives of long married couples.  Aquamarine was a cure all.  If you think about it, this makes sense.  Simply holding and marveling at an aquamarine stone brings all sorts of positive thoughts and feelings. Try it!
• It was also even used in the early Christian church as an association with St. Thomas due to its likeness to sea and air. 

Today’s Metaphysical Benefits of Aquamarine

Today, aquamarine is still used by many metaphysically, just the same as it has been used throughout its rich history.  Now, let’s further examine the metaphysical benefits of aquamarine to apply it to today’s emotional, mental, physical and spiritual uses and beliefs.

Mental, Emotional and Spiritual Benefits

• Aquamarine is one of the calming, sobriety stones, and therefore, is widely used in meditation.  It is said to enhance mental and emotional calmness, tranquility and clarity.
• It is associated with the body’s 5th energy center, the throat chakra.  Therefore, it aids in communication and is used to help with ease of expression and promote truth.
• Aquamarine is also a stone of courage, most probably relating to the days when warriors wore the stone to bring about invincibility. 
• As with its earliest history, aquamarine is still used for scrying and divining. It is easy to look into, similar to gazing in a pool of water.  Gazing into aquamarine is said to be the same, where the surface is similar to a mirror and reflects back divining images and/or reflections of the soul or deep conscience.  It is for this reason that it symbolizes and is associated with the spiritual water element.

Physical Benefits of Aquamarine

• Lying down quietly with an aquamarine stone placed gently on the throat is said to promote physical health of the throat area. 
• A tincture or tonic as well as an elixir of its vibrational essence can be made to ease a sore throat, swollen glands, thyroid problem or any other area with close proximity to and associated with the throat.  The actual stone should not be directly put into the water.  Instead, the stones vibrational frequency is captured through alchemical means and placed into the water.  (It’s physics really.  There is more to this than one might think!)

Other Interesting Notes and Tidbits about Aquamarine

• The chemical composition of aquamarine is beryllium aluminum silicate, that is Be3Al2(SiO3)6  (-for those of you who love the periodic table of elements.)  You can see from its chemical composition that it is actually a beryl.  Aquamarine has the same composition as emerald, morganite and a few lesser known others.  It is the blue variety of beryl. 
  

• Aquamarine is colored blue due to the concentration of iron impurities found within its molecular structure.  Much like iron in quartz makes amethyst, iron in beryl makes aquamarine.  The color can range from light to deep blue depending on the iron ions within the crystal.  It should be noted that it can be heat treated or irradiated to acquire a wanted color.  For example, if a light blue aquamarine is properly heat treated, it can result to the more sought after darker blue.  
  

• We cannot come to the end of the article and not know what birthstone aquamarine corresponds to. So, know that aquamarine is for Scorpios and those who celebrate their birthday in March.  It is also recommended as the 19th year wedding anniversary gemstone gift.  
  

Aquamarine has offered so much through thousands of years and continues to intrigue us.  The history and use is vast, more so than most gemstones.  You are encouraged to read and learn as much as you can about this lovely stone.  Enjoy yours if you have one, or have fun picking an aquamarine out for your own. 


The overall western medical community does not recognize the benefits of gemstones.  Please do not replace the listed uses with your health practitioner’s recommendations.