Aquamarine – Meaning & Properties

An impression of the raw stone

“Those who chart their own course will always find their destination.”

Aquamarine is for those who navigate by their own compass. For those seeking balance and clarity in a world that never stands still.

With its serene, light blue hues, aquamarine evokes the pure waters of a calm sea. This stone is traditionally associated with harmony, calmness, and inner peace.

No two stones are exactly alike. As a result, each bead possesses its own unique colour variation and transparency.

Why people choose aquamarine

• Traditionally associated with calmness and inner harmony
• A stone that symbolises clarity and balance
• Serene, light blue hues reminiscent of clear seawater
• For centuries, a beloved stone among sailors and travellers
• Each bead is unique in its colour variation and transparency

The Stone

• Traditional Associations: Harmony • Calmness • Clarity
• Origin: Brazil • India • Nigeria
• Zodiac Sign: Pisces

History

The name aquamarine comes directly from Latin: 'aqua marina' means 'water of the sea'. According to ancient legends, the stone was the treasure of mermaids and was worn by sailors as a talisman for safe passage.

Aquamarine, like the precious emerald, is a variety of the mineral beryl. Throughout history, the stone has been worn by royalty and incorporated into crowns and ceremonial objects. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that wearing aquamarine could rekindle love between married couples.

Astrology & Moon

Within astrology, aquamarine is connected to the zodiac sign Pisces. As a water sign, known for its sensitivity and intuition, Pisces has traditionally been linked to the calming and clarifying symbolism of this sea-blue stone.

The stone is also associated with the planet Neptune, ruler of the oceans, and the birth month of March. In these traditions, aquamarine symbolises the transition from winter to spring: a period of letting go, renewal, and clarity.

Within Chakra Teachings

Within chakra teachings, blue aquamarine is traditionally connected to the fifth chakra, also known as the Vishuddha or throat chakra. In Eastern traditions, this energy centre symbolises communication, self-expression, and speaking one's personal truth.

Additionally, due to its calming associations, the stone is sometimes linked to the fourth chakra, the Anahata or heart chakra. In this teaching, this point represents the centre of love, compassion, and emotional balance, with aquamarine being seen as a symbol for the inner peace required for harmonious relationships.

Interesting Facts

• Roman fishermen called the stone 'water of the sea' and believed it offered protection during their journeys and ensured a good catch.
• Aquamarine and emerald are chemically identical; both are varieties of the mineral beryl. The difference in colour is caused by traces of other elements: iron gives aquamarine its blue hue, while chromium colours emerald green.
• The largest gem-quality aquamarine specimen was found in Brazil in 1910. The rough stone weighed over 110 kilograms, and countless smaller stones were cut from it.
• In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was often used for divination. It was believed that the stone, suspended on a thread above a bowl of water, could reveal the future by tapping against the rim of the bowl.

Care

Aquamarine is a variety of beryl and, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, is a strong and scratch-resistant stone. Nevertheless, it's wise to store your bracelet separately from other, harder jewellery to keep the surface of the beads pristine.

The light blue colour of aquamarine is generally stable, but it's always a good idea to avoid prolonged exposure to bright sunlight or extreme heat. Brief contact with water won't cause harm, but do remove the bracelet when showering, swimming, and exercising, and keep it away from soap, perfume, and other chemicals.

For care, it's sufficient to gently polish the beads with a soft, dry cloth after wearing. This way, they will best retain their gentle lustre.

View the aquamarine bracelet in the shop →

Beautiful in combination with

Howlite · Moonstone

Honesty about meaning: the properties on this page describe what this stone has traditionally symbolised and with what it is associated within traditions and astrology. Mad Monk Jewelry makes no claims: we do not promise that a stone has an effect or power, or that it will bring about anything for you. What we do promise: a natural gemstone, carefully selected and hand-finished.

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