Aquamarine - XSM

Aquamarine is the blue-green or aqua variety of beryl. The color is caused by trace amounts of iron. Most gem aquamarines have been heat treated to produce the popular blue-green colors from less desirable yellow or pale stones. Beryl, colorless in pure form, is often unknown to the gemstone-buying public. Its many different impurities give beryl its varied colorations that make it so well known.

Item Size: X-Small 5/16 - 5/8" (8-15mm)


GENERAL INFORMATION

Mineral Class: Silicates

Mineral Species: Cyclosilicates

Mineral Group: Beryl

Chemical Formula: Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈

Composition:
05.03% - Beryllium Be
10.04% - Aluminum Al
31.35% - Silicon Si
53.58% - Oxygen O


Environment: Mainly granitic pegmatites

IMA Status: Valid Species (Pre-IMA) Prehistoric

Locality: Skardu, Skardu District, Baltistan, Northern areas, Pakistan

Name Origin: AQUAMARINE - From the Latin for 'water of the sea.' BERYL - From the ancient Greek beryllos, meaning a ‘precious blue-green color of sea water stone', but through later usage, applied only to Beryl.

Aquamarine Sources: Brazil, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Ireland, Australia, USA, Mexico


PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Cleavage: Imperfect

Color: Blue to blue-green

Crystal System: Hexagonal – Dihexagonal Dipyramidal

Density: 2.63-2.9, Average = 2.76

Diaphaniety: Transparent to Subtranslucent

Fracture: Brittle – Conchoidal – Very brittle fracture producing small, conchoidal fragments

Habit: Columnar – Forms columns.

Habit: Crystalline – Coarse – Occurs as well-formed coarse sized crystals.

Habit: Prismatic – Crystals shaped like slender prisms (e.g. tourmaline).

Hardness: 7.5-8

Luminescence: Non-fluorescent

Luster: Vitreous – Resinous

Magnetism: Nonmagnetic

Specific Gravity: 2.76

Streak: White


METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Affirmation: I embody the yielding, cooling power of water, and I express my truth with calm certainty.

Chakras: Aligns all, clears heart and throat, opens third eye

Number: 1

Zodiac Sign: Aries, Gemini, Pisces

Planet: Moon

Element: Water

Beneficial for: Pollutants; stress; intuition; fear; sore throats; laryngitis; strep throat; swollen glands; thyroid; pituitary; hormones; growth; elimination; eyes; jaw and teeth; near- or far-sightedness; stomach; immune system; autoimmune diseases; infection; inflammatory diseases; eczema; hives; rosacea; psoriasis; nervous system; herpes; allergy symptoms

Aquamarine stones are of the Water element, and their energy is as refreshing as shower under a cool waterfall. It brings one to a calm yet alert state of consciousness in which one is fully aware of one’s own store of knowledge, wisdom and feelings, and able to articulate them all with compassion.

It is perhaps the strongest stone for clearing and activating the throat chakra. It stimulates the flow of energy and communication from the heart to the throat, assisting one in gently speaking one’s deepest and most heartfelt truth with clarity and conviction. It is especially attractive to children. It may make them very talkative! It can be beneficial if the child is shy or has difficulty verbalizing.

Aquamarine is extremely cleansing for the emotional body. It brings emotional patterns to the surface for processing, helping one understand where one is holding on to emotions, communication patterns, or thoughts that are limiting one’s ability to ‘go with the flow.’ Once these patterns are identified, it helps one consciously release them, freeing oneself of attachments to old patterns, relationships, and ways of being. In this way, Aquamarine is a stone of empowerment and gentle, yet dynamic, change. It is excellent for working with grief and closure as it assists one in fully releasing attachment to the loved one’s body while retaining a positive emotional connection to their spiritual being. Aquamarine can assist one in rapidly moving through transition, removing resistance and helping one overcome fear of the unknown. It is an excellent ally when one’s baggage has become too heavy!

The cleansing nature of this stone also clarifies perception, as much of the mental and emotional clutter is washed away.