Aquamarine - Square & Octagon

Aquamarine is one of our most popular and best selling gemstones. It is almost as popular as the classic three of  Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald.  In fact it is related to the Emerald, with both the Aquamarine and the Emerald belonging to the Beryl family. The colour of Aquamarine although occasionally exhibiting a little green hue, is characterized and valued by its degree of blue.  The stronger and more intense the blue... the more valuable the gem.  The vast majority of Aquamarine has a light to medium amount of  blue   so to find a strongly blue colored  gem is quite difficult.  Unlike its famous green cousin, Emerald,  Aquamarine is much easier to find in flawless pieces. Aquamarine has good hardness (7.5  Mohs scale) and wears well.  Traditionally it is the March birthstone.

Aquamarine is found in many worldwide locations but historically the finest quality and also the most quantity is found in Brazil.  Madagascar and Mozambique also periodically produce fine material and other global producers include Russia, Nigeria, India, China among others.

Metaphysically its light blue is said to arouse feelings of sympathy, trust, harmony and friendship. Aquamarine is thought to bring good feelings which are based on mutuality and which prove their worth in lasting relationships.  No wonder, when you consider that according to the saga it originated in the treasure chest of fabulous mermaids, and has, since ancient times, been regarded as the sailors` lucky stone. Its name is derived from the Latin `aqua` (water) and `mare` (sea). It is said that its strengths are developed to their best advantage when it is placed in water which is bathed in sunlight. However, it is surely better still to wear aquamarine, since according to the old traditions this promises a happy marriage and is said to bring the woman who wears it joy and wealth into the bargain.