Our next publication under the heading "Stone of the Month" is about the March aquamarine. Aquamarine is associated in astrology with the planet Neptune and the spring month March, when the sky is of the same transparent blue color. According to one legend, the sailors that came across a treasure chest belonging to a mermaid discovered the first aquamarine. The owner was not at all angry – on the contrary, she became their celestial protectress. According to another legend, it was love that presented the world one of the most beautiful minerals. The tears of a young girl that lost her beloved fell into the cold waves of the ocean and became gems of amazing beauty – transparent and pure.

The invention of the name “aquamarine” is credited to the writer, historian and Roman military professional – Gaius Plinius Secundus, famous for his 37-volume encyclopaedic “Natural History”. In Latin “Aqua marina” means seawater. Aquamarine is a gemstone that is a variety of beryl. A stone that has the color of the unlimited expanse of ocean water. For hundreds or even thousands of years, it has been accompanying sailors in their voyages as a companion and lucky mascot. When Gaius Plinius Secundus described precious stones, he noted that the most valuable of beryl representatives were those that, in their color, resembled seawater pure green color. He also wrote about the similar nature of beryl, aquamarine and emerald. Aquamarine is a jeweler variety of beryl. Its main characteristic is the color that might differ from blue to greenish. Iron creates green stones, brown color stones appear if there are many cavities and they are filled with liquid.

Unique qualities of aquamarine:
– unusually large crystals;
– combination of hardness, brittleness and lightness;
– bicolour, which appears when changing the angle of view.

Deposits of aquamarine are known on all continents, the most significant of them are in Brazil, Madagascar and Russia (Urals, Transbaikalia). Brazil is the world top supplier. Giant specimens were found there, the largest of which was extracted at the beginning of the 20^th century. From a block of 105 kg, 220 thousand carats of jewelry material were obtained. Before that, the Jacueto gem (18 kg, 30 thousand carats of jewelry material) was found. In 1917, blue sapphire-colour stones were discovered. They named this aquamarine subvariety – Maxis, after the mine. But the bright sun ruined the color: the crystals turned yellow and reddish.

Aquamarine is a gemstone of the third class. The same group includes spinel, white and fire opal, pink topaz, tourmalines and many other minerals. Aquamarine was known to Sumerians four thousand years ago. The ancient Greeks wore amulets with aquamarine to win the favour of Poseidon, Lord of the Seas, and the practical inhabitants of Ancient China actively used the mineral while manufacturing lenses for optics.

Nowadays, aquamarine is considered a symbol of sincere love and friendship, purity and magic. The basic magical property of aquamarine of any shade is to protect the owner from making wrong decisions and dangerous “extremity" in behaviour. The magic of aquamarine helps to preserve love and harmonize emotions.

The healing properties of aquamarine were known since ancient Rome, when wealthy citizens used the mineral to treat hepatic disorder, sore throat and stomach. In addition, mascot with aquamarine assists a person to defeat viral infections, relieves stress, helps to overcome depressive disorder and improves the condition of the nervous system. In the Middle Ages, sorcerers believed that this stone could neutralize the actions of poison. In modern lithotherapy, the stone is also used to stand up against obsessive habits. 

Aquamarine is often used for decoration. Souvenirs are made from this gem (including the marine theme figurines – dolphins, fish and other sea animals). Despite active use of this stone in decor, jewelry remains the main area of application. Men wear tie clips, cufflinks and rings with aquamarine. Ladies can choose for themselves almost any jewelry with this stone.

New thematic photo album "Aquamarine – stone mascot of March" is posted in the museum Photo Gallery.

Interesting facts about Aquamarine:
– The weight of the largest faceted aquamarine is 2594 carats. Another large aquamarine, weighing 920 carats, adorns the crown of the English queen.
– The Moscow Kremlin Armoury Chamber features a unique sceptre, made from a single piece of aquamarine.
– Aquamarine tends to become very pale when exposed to direct sunlight for a long time.

On the cover: Aquamarine perfume bottle. Wolfgang Wild. Idar-Oberstein, Germany, the 20^th century