Aquamarine

Tranquil and soothing, aquamarines have an appeal that is simply irresistible. The beautiful color of this stone is a reflection of the clear blue skies and the serenity of the seas. The best thing about aquamarines is that they complement almost every skin tone and eye color, one of the major reasons why they are a favorite with most women.

Aquamarines get their name from the Latin words 'aqua' meaning sea and 'mare' meaning water. These beautiful stones have always been associated with water. While Greek soldiers in ancient times wore aquamarine amulets to protect themselves from the wrath and fury of sea gods, some legends also mention that aquamarines were first discovered in the treasure trove of mermaids.

The beautiful aquamarines are said to possess many qualities. While on one hand they are said to cure insomnia, on the other hand they are considered highly effective for eye problems especially short sightedness. Germans were said to use aquamarine crystals as eyeglasses to combat shortsightedness. Aquamarines are positive stones that bring in a feeling of good cheer. Besides, the calming color of aquamarines is said to bring about feelings of trust, harmony and friendship. Anybody sporting an aquamarine is said to often benefit with happiness and wealth. It also works wonders for couples who wish to have a long lasting and happy union.

The most beautiful aspect of aquamarines is their color. A wonderful shade of crystal clear sky blue that the stone reflects is ultimately alluring. It is again the color of aquamarines that determine the stones value. The color of aquamarine usually ranges from light blue to sky blue and teal. While a deeper tinge of blue is preferred and most valued in aquamarines, some people actually opt for the bluish green or greenish blue variations of the stone. A great and thrifty way would be to have an excellently cut aquamarine in a pale blue shade for it will dazzle like a diamond and yet not make a dent in one's pockets.

Compared to other natural colored gemstones aquamarines have fewer inclusions. The clarity of these stones is usually good with very few traces of inclusions. A good bet while buying aquamarines would be to choose one that is bigger with more carats that will bring out the color and clarity of the stone to the fullest. Like most natural colored gemstones aquamarines are heat treated to enhance their color and pronounce their clarity. Heat treatment being permanent in nature, the beauty of these stones is well preserved.

In recent times aquamarines from Brazil have come to be most sought after. The 'Santa Maria' variety is the most popular variety of aquamarines over the world due to the stone's vivid blue color. It was however, in Madagascar that these stones were first discovered. Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Russia are other sources of aquamarines.

The peaceful and alluring aquamarines make wonderful jewelry pieces whether aquamarine rings, aquamarine earrings or aquamarine pendants. Alone or coupled with diamonds these stones stand out for their subtle charm. The allure of aquamarines lies in its serene blue hue, a reason why these lovely stones are much sought after the world over.