Aquamarine
Details
“Water of the Sea”, Aquamarine is the blue variety of Beryl created by the presence of iron oxides. The most popular light blue gemstone, Aquamarine is sought after for use in jewelry, especially as a pendant stone laying close to the 5th chakra. Aquamarine can be found worldwide in locations such as Brazil, Pakistan, China, Nepal, Russia, Burma, Nigeria, Madagascar, Namibia, and the US. Although a relatively common gemstone, Aquamarine has a high demand for its deep blue colors and gemmy transparent varieties. Often found as perfect six-sided hexagons and in individual prismatic crystals, Aquamarine has a symmetry to it appreciated by many. Found in granite pegmatites, this mineral is of an igneous rock type and withstands extremely high temperatures from deep within Earth’s internal strata. Its large, six-sided flawless crystals can be used as individual pendants or faceted into many different cuts. An Aquamarine variety is Cat’s Eye Aquamarine which displays chatoyancy, an effect in which dense inclusions of tiny, parallel slender fibers cause a line of light to go through the gemstone. Sometimes mistaken for Topaz, Aquamarine is more expensive and highly sought after.
Metaphysical
Element: Water
Chakras: Throat (5th Chakra)
Keywords: Stone of Symmetry, Purity, Magnetic Moon Influence, Clear Communication, Infinite Reflections, Self-Awareness, Eternity, Protection, Respiration, Cleansing, Cooling
Aquamarine evokes purity and relaxation, inspires truth and trust, serves as a reflective mirror for the inner soul, and encourages honest communication and pure expression. Its perfect symmetry helps bring balance to the wearer, as well as a gentle compassionate energy. Its association with the sea brings self-reflections indefinitely, as the heavens reflect upon its occasionally turbulent surface. In ancient lore, Aquamarine is a treasure of the mermaids and used by sailors as talismans of good luck, fearlessness, and protection. Its cleansing energy can remove resistance, and its cooling energy harmonizes the lungs as well as the hormonal organs of the body, the pituitary and thyroid glands. Aquamarine evokes trust and proper self-expression. Often given as a token of love, representing the sea’s endless flows of eternity.
Partner Stones: Quartz, Muscovite, Albite, Apatite, Orthoclase, Calcite
The Nerd Stuff
Chemical Formula: Be3AlSi6O18
Color: Sky Blue to Blue-Green
Hardness: 7.5-8
Crystal Habit: Hexagonal
Refractive Index: 1.57-1.58
Specific Gravity: 2.6-2.9
Optic Character: Uniaxial
Transparency: Transparent to Translucent
Double Refraction: .006
Luster: Vitreous
Fracture: Uneven to conchoidal
Cleavage: 3,1 : Basal
Mineral Class: Beryl
Resources
- “The Mineral Aquamarine”, https://www.minerals.net/mineral/aquamarine.aspx
- ”Aquamarine Meaning and Uses”, https://www.crystalvaults.com/crystal-encyclopedia/aquamarine