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Aquamarine - a Healing Crystal of Courage
Aquamarine is a healing crystal and gemstone who’s colours range from light blue to dark blue to blue-green, aquamarine has been linked to the seas and water throughout history.
Aquamarine is sought after for it’s cool and tranquil colour. It compliments any skin tone or style of dress.
Aquamarine is a blue gemstone whose name originates from the Italian word for seawater and embodies the splendour of the sea. A member of the beryl family, aquamarine is a sister to the rich green emerald. It can be found in a range of pale blue hues and aqua green colours. Legends refer to Aquamarine as the treasure of Atlantis.
Aquamarine Crystal Healing Properties
In the language of gemstones, aquamarine represents happiness, hope and everlasting youth. In ancient times, Aquamarine was thought to protect those at sea. It was believed to make sailors fearless and safe from adversaries on the open waters. As far back as 480 BC, Aquamarine was considered to be the treasure of the mermaids because its ability to protect increased when immersed in water.
Today, Aquamarine is still thought to bring protection to those at sea and is a popular gift among ocean travellers. On land, it is believed to have soothing effects on couples, helping them to work through their differences and ensure a long and happy marriage. That power makes it an excellent stone to give on anniversaries.
It is also considered to be the stone of courage and preparedness and is believed to help maintain balance and order. Aquamarine is often used as a "good luck" stone, thought to bring feelings of peace, love, joy and happiness to those who wear it. There is an energising quality to Aquamarine that provides harmony and balance. If you dream of Aquamarine, it is said that you will make new friends, and wearing earrings of aquamarine are thought to bring love and affection into your life.
Traditionally, Aquamarine is also the birthstone for March.
Aquamarine Geological Properties
Aquamarine is a beryl--a relatively rare silicate mineral found in igneous and metamorphic rocks around the world--and a blue-green sister to the deep green emerald. Other beryl stones include morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow/yellow-green), goshenite (colourless) and maxixe (deep blue). Aquamarine gems are frequently less included or fractured than emeralds, making larger stones easier to find.
Colour and clarity are key to the value of gemstone aquamarine (with low grade beryl often refined into the metal beryllium). Colour is a defining aspect of this gemstone, which is why most aquamarines are heat-treated to remove yellow tones and enhance the bright blue hues in this stone.
The natural blue and green colours of Aquamarine come from ferrous iron and metallic ions. Aquamarine gemstones are found in a number of exotic places including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, and the most brilliant blue varieties of the gemstones available today come from Brazil.
Aquamarine in History
Roman fisherman carried the gemstone and called it ‘Water of the Sea’ they used it for protection, for safe travel by boat and for good luck catching their haul.
Aquamarine was linked to St Thomas who frequently travelled by boat.
There is much folk lore about the aquamarine stone. The Romans believed that if a frog were carved onto an aquamarine stone, it would reconcile enemies and make them friends.
Romans, Sumerians, Egyptians, Hebrews and Greeks all admired aquamarine. It’s the believed that the High Priestess of the Second Temple wore Aquamarine stones engraved with the 6 tribes of Israel. Beads have been discovered with Egyptian Mummies. Two thousand years ago, people in Greece engraved designs into Aquamarine stones.
Middle Ages
The obsession with Aquamarine continued into the Middle Ages. It was rumoured to protect the wearer from poisoning because of this many rulers purchased an Aquamarine ring to wear.
Belief in Aquamarine’s powers of revelation was strong during the middle ages. It was common to carve gazing balls for fortune telling or to suspend an aquamarine crystal on a string over a bowl of water in order to divine messages as the stone disturbed the surface or touched letters drawn on the bowl's surface.
Religious History
In Christianity it is known as the Stone of St Thomas because he is the saint of mariners. Christian’s believed as their Roman ancestors did that aquamarine provided safety on the high seas.
In Buddhism, Aquamarine is known as the lovers stone. It’s the traditional gift from a husband to his wife the day after their wedding. It is believed to promote a happy marriage. Medieval Christians also believed that aquamarine makes for a happy marriage.
Aquamarine and Crystal Healing for me personally.
Aquamarine is a stone very close to my heart, it’s an Aries birthstone, although I’m an April rather than March child, it still has a huge pull on me.
It resonates so strongly with me because it’s linked to inner courage and strength, something we all need, something I’ve always felt I’ve needed In abundance. Plus its tranquility and oceanic properties is of strength to me.
I often wear my Aquamarine healing crystal bracelet for courage, confidence and communication.
It’s also one of the most beautiful stones out there. Natural or polished, I can’t get enough
Alison
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