At Hamra Jewelers, we love that this month is an opportunity to share this gorgeous stone with our customers. We wantted to share a brief history of the aquamarine gemstone, so you can see why we love it, too! Related: Embrace Your Love With A Flawless Eternity BandWhat It MeansAquamarine is the combination of two Latin words: aqua, meaning "water", and marina, meaning "of the sea". It's the birthstone for March and the gemstone that's traditionally given as a gift for a 19th wedding anniversary. Sailors used to carry around aquamarine stones because they believed it would calm waves and keep them safe at sea. They even thought that the tails of mermaids were made out of aquamarine!It was also believed that aquamarine could enhance the happiness of marriages. The gemstone has astrological significance as well, as it is the zodiac birthstone for Pisces and Scorpio.Where It Comes FromLike emeralds, morganite, bixbite, heliodor, and goshenite, aquamarine is a color variety of the mineral beryl. It ranges in color from green-blue to blue, depending on the location and concentrations of iron within the beryl's crystal structure. These gemstones often get heated to high temperatures to enhance the color and clarity of the stone. The heat treatments can transform a blue-green or teal aquamarine into a pure blue stone.A large portion of the world's aquamarines come from mines in Pakistan, as well as from mines in Vietnam, Kenya, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Russia, and Brazil. Aquamarine is prized for being a gem that's both hard and durable while also possessing an extraordinary clarity and intense color.Famous Aquamarine StonesThere have been huge finds of aquamarines, some weighing thousands of pounds. Most of them aren't fit for cutting due to their weak color. The largest aquamarine found dates back to 1910 in Marambaya, Brazil. The Marambaya "Minas Gerais" mine unearthed an aquamarine stone that was 243 lb, 18 inches long and 15.5 inches in diameter. It was eventually cut up into a gemstone yield with a total weight of more than 100,000 carats!Aquamarine history was made in 1992 when the largest single piece of aquamarine was cut. The "Dom Pedro" weighed 26 kg and was cut in Idar-Oberstein, Germany by the gemstone designer Bernd Munsteiner. The "Dom Pedro" is now part of the Smithsonian's permanent collection.Related: Change Your Gemstones With The SeasonsVisit Hamra Jewelers today to see our selection of gorgeous aquamarine jewelry. For more information, give us a call at 480-946-5110.
