Aquamarine is a sea-toned stone with light from the stars. Aquamarine stone - a gem for travel, health and beauty Aquamarine stone in a ring name

"The sea wave hit the coastal stones with force, and the spray scattered in the air, frozen in the air, turned into clear, mesmerizing with their crystal transparency, sparkling in the sun precious stones." - So tells one of the legends about the origin of crystals of the mineral Aquamarine. There are other myths that envelop this crystal with a veil of mystery, mystical and romantic to varying degrees.

For example, according to one of them, in clear transparent crystals the tears of a girl who mourned her beloved on the shore of a frozen lake turned into tears; falling into crystal blue water, her tears took on the same delicate shade.

And the other claims that aquamarine is a mermaid treasure accumulated by them once, and later lost. One way or another, these aqua-colored crystals from the "treasury of mermaids" do not leave anyone indifferent.

Most of the legends about aquamarine emphasize its connection with water. In the era of antiquity, it was considered the "stone of Poseidon" (they say, the god of the ocean once tried with the help of a sea-colored stone make a girl love who never reciprocated; and now, looking at the stone, the formidable deity remembers his feelings and does not destroy the owners of the sparkling blue crystals); the sailors took him with them on a journey, thus trying to gain the condescension and protection of the Lord of the deep sea.

It was believed that the owner of the mineral formidable mighty god will protect against all possible troubles throughout the entire sea voyage. Some believed that aquamarine could calm the storm that had begun.

So what is aquamarine?

The name comes from two words from the Latin language: Aqua (water) and maris (sea). The name "noble beryl" is also applied to this mineral.

« Like the color of the ocean"Pliny the Elder called this mineral for the first time, describing the similarities and differences of beryls. Crystals, comparable in color to the pure green of the sea, were, in his opinion, the most valuable. The comparison made by the sage later gave the name to the mineral.

From the point of view of chemistry and physics, it is a type of beryl, namely, beryllium aluminosilicate. A hard but brittle mineral. Is an optically negative crystal, does not possess luminescent properties. The presence of inclusions in the form of numerous long cavities parallel to the crystal faces is possible, which can give the crystal a gray or even brown tint; and gas bubbles and flat inclusions in the form of snowflakes or stars are also possible.

In nature noble beryl It is presented in the form of an elongated form of prismatic, more often hexahedral crystals, colored, as a rule, uniformly. Aquamarine crystals are characterized by dichroism - a phenomenon in which the color of the stone can be different from different angles of view, This is explained by the fact that in different directions of the crystal, light rays are refracted in different ways. This interesting property distinguishes aquamarine from externally similar minerals, as well as from artificial crystals that mimic aquamarine.

Aquamarine owes its color to iron impurities, having a tendency to fade under the influence of sunlight (the mineral itself is endowed with the same property). This property is associated with a recommendation that prescribes storing stone products in a place protected from sunlight (to avoid color changes). In addition, lithium and potassium impurities are also possible in crystals. vanadium, rubidium, sodium, cesium, and occasionally chromium.

The degree of transparency can vary.

Aquamarine crystals originate in the strata of igneous rocks, for example, granites - solidified and crystallized magmatic masses; as a rule, it is a vein structure called pegmatites. This is the name of the mineral "mixture", more than 65% consisting of silica - the basis of aquamarine. At the stage when the thermal waters flowing in igneous rocks are still hot, fragments of pegmatite "fall out" from them. Solutions wash them, dissolving trace elements. In the future, they gradually cool down and crystallize (and yet the legend is partly right: aquamarine is crystallized water).

Deposits where this mineral is distributed are found all over the world, for example,

Application

Aquamarine is valuable gemstone and is widely used in the production of jewelry. Since ancient times, it was believed that the ideal place for it is in the necklace pendants (after all, the “soul of the sea” lying on the chest gives the owner of the stone self-confidence and additional strength).

Deposits of aquamarine are quite rich; this abundance led to the fact that they were mainly in demand large stones the darkest shades. To achieve this effect, part of the stones after cutting can be calcined or irradiated; this method of exposure leads to the reduction of ferric iron in the structure of the mineral and causes a color change.

Aquamarine is credited with a number of medicinal and even magical properties:

The following properties attributed to aquamarine are closer to mystical

Aquamarine and zodiac signs

The properties of aquamarine can vary depending on the zodiac sign of the owner of the stone.

Taurus- it would seem that an earthly, material sign does not correspond to the cold water energy of aquamarine; but this mineral is great for those of them who are most susceptible to apathetic, depressive conditions or excessive concern about their health.
Gemini the mineral helps to find a thin, unsteady line between desire and need. But at the same time, it interferes somewhat with the ability to concentrate on really important goals.
Cancer blue crystals help to find emotional balance and avoid their frequent mood swings.

It is also believed that Aquamarine is useful for those born under the sign of Libra - for them it is one of the best amulets, since it frees them from unnecessary waste of time and energy for vibrations and throwing from side to side, for example, when making a decision; however, some astrologers disagree with this point of view.

For Aquarius aquamarine is an inspiration stone, as it helps to find the right channel for their ideas, helps to highlight positive personality traits and smooth out negative ones.
Pisces, a primordially "water" sign, Aquamarine helps to maintain control over oneself and curb episodes of irascibility.

Aquamarine is a gem that attracts attention not only with its beauty, but also with its healing properties... Today, people bought in jewelry stores can see a wide assortment different products with aquamarines, because this stone is inlaid with rings, pendants, pendants, earrings, brooches and other accessories made of silver and gold. Many people like aquamarine stone, but not everyone knows its approximate cost and degree of value. Aquamarine precious or semi precious stone? To answer this question, you should study the features of aquamarine from the point of view of mineralogy.

Aquamarine crystals

Properties of aquamarines

Aquamarine is beryl, which is a hexagonal mineral and belongs to the subclass of ring silicates. Beryl also includes chrysoberyl, emerald, alexandrite, etc.

Aquamarine has a blue-green color that can fade and turn yellowish with prolonged exposure to sunlight. Like all beryls, aquamarine has a hardness rating of 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness for minerals. The density of the stone ranges from 2.61-2.67 grams per cubic centimeter. The mineral has a conchoidal fracture. Aquamarine has a glassy luster, as well as such a property as pleochroism, because when examining the stone from different angles, you can notice how its color changes from blue to blue-green.

Aquamarine crystals look like long hexagonal prisms. Aquamarine contains various inclusions that look like needles, snowflakes and tubes filled with gas bubbles. Aquamarine can also contain rutile, pyrite, and ilmenite. Studying the inclusions in the stone helps to distinguish aquamarine from fakes.

Aquamarine forms in pegmatites near coarse granites. Deposits of stones can be found on all continents of the Earth, but the highest quality aquamarine crystals are mined in countries such as Russia, Brazil and the island of Madagascar. Unique aquamarines of blue color found only in Brazil (state of Minas Geiras). It is not often possible to find crystals of aquamarine in Australia, Sri Lanka, India, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and Norway.

In the history of mineralogy, the largest crystal of aquamarine was mined in Brazil, and it happened in 1910. The weight of the specimen was 110 kilograms, which made it possible to obtain 220 thousand carats of raw materials from it for the jewelry industry.

Aquamarine is a stone that has no analogues that mimic natural crystal, because growing aquamarines is considered an unprofitable activity. However, this does not mean that there are no fakes of this stone. Quite often, instead of aquamarines, customers in jewelry stores are offered crystals of artificial spinel and hydrothermal sapphire.

Naturally valuable aquamarine gemstone can have a yellowish tint, which reduces the aesthetic appeal of the mineral. However, the yellowish tint of aquamarine is eliminated in the process of calcining the stone at a temperature of 400-500 degrees Celsius. When determining the gem value of aquamarine, its characteristics are taken into account, such as the mass of crystals, expressed in carats, as well as the number of defects and inclusions in the mineral. Master jewelers cut aquamarines with step-cut and give the stone the shape of a rectangle or octagon.

Pendant with aquamarine

Aquamarine is included in the list of gemstones and belongs to the second-order precious gems. As for such a variety of beryl as alexandrite, it belongs to the first order gemstones, that is, it is more valuable than alexandrite. For reference: alexandrite is beryl, which is so rare in nature that its 1 carat is estimated at at least $ 2,000. By the way, synthetic alexandrite is also considered a rather expensive stone, 1 carat of which costs $ 500.

The value of the stone in esotericism

Aquamarine is a sought-after gemstone, but few people know that it is endowed with a miraculous energy that has been familiar to mankind since antiquity. First of all, aquamarine symbolizes the sea and its energy. Such a relationship between the stone and the sea was identified back in the Middle Ages. Each sailor had a pendant with aquamarine or an amulet made of this stone, as there was a belief that aquamarine gives the navigator protection from death during a sea voyage. Also, the sailors used the gem as a barometer, which helped to determine the state of the sea and, based on this, plan a route.
Aquamarine symbolizes honesty, so it helps its owner recognize lies from others. The gem of the sea cannot be worn by people prone to lying, since aquamarine loses its energy under their influence. Aquamarine is considered a symbol of marital fidelity and family happiness, therefore it is customary to give jewelry with it to spouses as a talisman of love.
The talisman of aquamarine helps a person become more purposeful and hardworking, since this stone relieves its owner from laziness and the desire to shirk his duties.

In lithotherapy, aquamarines are considered stones that have a healing effect on nervous system person. Under the influence of aquamarine, a person becomes calmer and gets rid of all thoughts that could disturb him. Contemplating aquamarine crystals relieves eye muscle strain and also helps to improve visual acuity. An aquamarine talisman helps a person cope with the symptoms of motion sickness while traveling. Also, the stone of the sea helps to improve the condition of the skin, nails and teeth, therefore, aquamarine is considered a gem of beauty. In addition, aquamarine allows you to cleanse the body of toxins and strengthen the immune system.

According to the horoscope, aquamarine is considered the mascot stone of Pisces, Cancers and Scorpions. Representatives of these signs are prone to melancholy, but aquamarine allows them to find optimism and get rid of disturbing thoughts and doubts.

Jewelry with aquamarines have their own characteristics:

Earrings: There is a rich assortment of aquamarine earrings on sale, available in both silver and gold. In the product, aquamarines are often combined with cubic zirconias. The cost of earrings with aquamarines depends on their weight and design. 925 sterling silver earrings cost from four to seven thousand rubles. Gold earrings with this gem will cost several times more - their price varies from 16 to 100 thousand rubles.
Bracelets: Many women love these jewelry. A bracelet with aquamarines emphasizes the grace and beauty of a woman's wrist, and also serves as a talisman for its owner. The design of the bracelet depends on the number and shape of the aquamarine inserts. Also, the bracelet may contain moonstones, topaz and other gems that are combined with aquamarine.
Rings: The aquamarine that rings are instructed to pair wonderfully with both white and rose gold. The cost of the ring depends on the size of the aquamarine insert and the mass of the metal from which the jewelry is made.
Beads: These accessories are considered the most affordable in terms of cost, as they require beads cut from medium quality aquamarine to make them. Aquamarine beads, depending on their length and the number of beads, cost from 300 to 1.5 thousand rubles.
Pendants: This jewelry will be a great addition to a silver or gold chain. Aquamarine pendants can have the most different shape, which allows buyers to choose the most attractive jewelry for themselves. If the pendant does not have a frame in the form of a precious metal, then it can be bought for 200-300 rubles. A piece of jewelry will cost at least 2,000 rubles.

It is necessary to purchase products with aquamarines in well-known jewelry stores, where certified products with gems are offered to customers. If you buy jewelry from your hands or on the market, then in this case there will be no guarantee that the purchased stone will not turn out to be a fake. Collectible crystals of aquamarines are sold at mineral exhibitions and auctions.

Aquamarine is considered a gem and is very popular with jewelers. Despite the fact that this is not the most expensive gem, in ancient times it was revered along with diamonds and emeralds. This mineral was prized for the most part for its unusual sea-green color, and jewelry with it was considered endowed with magical powers. So, what is the value of aquamarine and where are the deposits in which it is mined?

The gem got its name due to its beautiful transparent color. From Latin "aqua marina" literally translates as "sea water". It is easy to conclude that the name of the gem was given by the ancient Romans. The popularization of such a name was due to the well-known writer Pliny the Elder at that time, who lived and worked in the 1st century AD. NS. It is curious that it was he who at one time discovered the similarities between beryls, emeralds and aquamarine. As it turns out later by science, all these stones belong to the same group of minerals.

Blue beryl was known to the ancient Sumerians who lived in Mesopotamia 4 thousand years ago. According to the beliefs of the Sumerian people, beautiful aqua-colored crystals endowed their owners with longevity, prolonged youth and brought happiness.

The Romans revered this mineral as a talisman on sea voyages. In addition, aquamarine symbolized love and loyalty. According to one of the myths, Poseidon, in love with a nymph, gave her aquamarine in silver. This motif was preserved even in the Middle Ages, when jewelry with blue beryl endowed with the ability to return cooled feelings.

Video on the topic: Aquamarine. Development history

Stone properties

As mentioned earlier, aquamarine is related to emerald - both gems are types of beryl. Blue beryl was constantly found in royal jewelry and crowns of ancient times. The largest and most expensive stones were quarried in Brazil. The vast majority of gems of this type are mined in this particular country.

All gemstones are divided into precious and semi-precious.
Also e stones are divided into four more categories in order of their value:
a) 1st order ( top-notch gemstones) - diamond, ruby, blue sapphire, emerald, alexandrite;
b) 2nd order - demantoid, pink and yellow sapphire, noble black opal, noble spinel and others;
v)ІІІ-th order ( second-rate gems) - aquamarine, beryl, noble white and fire opal, tanzanite, pink topaz, tourmaline, chrysoberyl, chrysolite, tsavorite, zircon, spinel;
G) 4th order ( semiprecious stones) - almandine, amethyst, smoky quartz, rose quartz, kunzite, pyrope, blue and wine topaz, citrine, Moonstone, epidote, sunstone, green tourmaline, chalcedony, aventurine, agate, amazonite, apatite, turquoise, hyacinth, heliodor, hematite, rock crystal, garnet, serpentine, cacholong, lapis lazuli.

Separately, gemstones of organogenic origin are distinguished: pearls and amber.

In general, more than four thousand different minerals are found in nature, but not all of them can bear the proud title of "precious stone". High hardness and transparency, optical effects and gloss - due to this unique combination properties of the stones were called precious.

Of course, first-order minerals have always been considered especially valuable - diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, emeralds and alexandrites. Gold and silver jewelry, inlaid with these precious stones, are invariably in high demand and are unlikely to ever lose their value, because precious minerals remain less and less in the bowels of the Earth.

Among ornamental stones own onyx, malachite, jade, obsidian, olivine, noble opal, mother of pearl, rhodonite (eagle), carnelian, topaz, tourmaline, charoite, chrysoberyl, chrysolite, zircon, citrine, spinel, euclase, amber, jasper. They are set in silver or used to make sculptures, vases and other interior items.

Jewelry with diamonds, sapphires, emeralds and other precious stones of the first category (judged by the purity of the water, the play of brilliance in the facets, the shape and pattern of the ring and earrings, the jewelry quality of workmanship, because such things are usually given for big family events - a wedding, the appearance of a child. They become heirlooms and are passed down from generation to generation, so these jewelry should be bought according to the principle: it is better to have one than several, but of inferior quality.

Stones by color

pink: tourmaline, garnet sapphire, topaz, kunzite, pearls

Red: ruby, tourmaline, garnet, spinel

Orange: sapphire, topaz

yellow: sapphire, citrine, pearl

green: emerald, tourmaline, demantoid, tsavorite, chrysolite, amethyst

blue: tourmaline, topaz, aquamarine.

blue : sapphire, tanzanite, spinel, kyanite

purple : amethyst, spinel

Gray: rauchtopaz, (smoky quartz), pearl

Brown : diamond, zircon, pearl, hairy quartz

White : diamond, pearl, sapphire, topaz

black : diamond, spinel, pearl

multicore : alexandrite, opal

How to wear jewelry?

The question is serious. Do not wear more than two rings on one hand, and they must be in harmony in style - for example, gold jewelry is not worn with a platinum or silver item, they must be made of one or the same material. Different stones are not worn at the same time, for example, earrings with a ruby and a ring with an emerald. Do not adorn yourself with rings, bracelets, earrings and necklaces at the same time. Do not wear jewelry in the morning and afternoon, and even with your everyday clothes. You should also not wear any massive jewelry at this time of day; elegant ladies prefer graceful watches with a bracelet made of good leather, fine gold or silver chain, modest rings that can be paired with miniature pearl earrings. Large jewelry is worn in the evening with a matching dress.
Gold or silver brooches with diamonds or rhinestones are not pinned to sports-cut blouses - non-binding jewelry is appropriate for such a toilet. By the way, you are not supposed to wear jewelry in combination with real jewelry - it looks vulgar, like any mixture of styles.

In this article:

Aquamarine precious or semiprecious stone? This question has been of interest to buyers for many years. precious jewelry... Aquamarine is not a simple stone, it has its own history. The mineral was especially appreciated in England, since it was believed that aquamarine was able to protect sailors from storms and hurricanes.

History of aquamarine

The first mention of a stone that looks like aquamarine dates back to the XIII-XIV centuries. Descriptions tell about a gem that has unique properties, it is solid and beautiful, as if it contains the power of the sea.

Aquamarine stone

The stone was appreciated in England, it was decorated with symbols of the power of kings and monarchs. The gem is characterized by high hardness, according to the Mohs scale, the indicator is 7.5 points.

The ancient Greeks and Romans believed that the blue mineral patronizes sailors and travelers. For this reason, the gods of the sea were often depicted on the surface of the stone.

The gem goes well with both gold and silver. In a frame made of these metals, the stone looks especially impressive.

According to jewelers and gemologists, aquamarine is a semi-precious stone, not a gem. Despite this, the gem is appreciated by both jewelers and jewelry lovers. The reason for this is the sky-blue color of the stone, but aquamarine can not only be blue or blue, it can have a green or even yellow tint.

In the old days, one of the largest stone deposits was located in Brazil, today the mineral is mined in the following countries:

Russia.
India.

In our country, the stone is found in the Urals and Transbaikalia, you can rarely find aquamarine big size.

In addition to the fact that the stone is hard, it is fragile: if you drop the aquamarine from a height, it can crack, cracks or chips will appear on its surface. For this reason, jewelry should be handled carefully, to protect them from mechanical stress and damage.

For lovers of this mineral, there is one pleasant message: the stone is not produced artificially... It can be processed, irradiated or heated, in other words, refined. If the store has the tag “artificial aquamarine” on the tag, it means that, under the guise of a gem, they are trying to sell other, less valuable minerals or specially processed glass to the buyer.

Magical and healing properties

Aquamarine is a stone that is endowed with many magical properties, it is used for various purposes.

Mineral helps:

warn a person against conspiracies and diseases;
return good mood and mood;
keep love and loyalty.

In the old days, it was believed that if the gem became cloudy, changed its shade, then its owner was in danger. A conspiracy is ripening around a person, or something bad may still happen. However, the doctors said that if the mineral became cloudy, it was highly likely that the person was sick.

The gem fills the owner with strength and raises his mood. Helps cope with fatigue.

In order for the stone to fully reveal its properties and begin to work, it must be worn on the little finger. A ring or a ring with aquamarine, put on this finger, will help a person to open up. Become confident, calm and friendly.

Since aquamarine carries the energy of water, it doesn't react well to the sun. The rays can change the color of the mineral, make it faded and cloudy. For this reason, it is worthwhile to remove jewelry with a gem from time to time and place them in a dark box. This will help preserve the aquamarine color and prevent fading.

If speak about medicinal properties mineral, they are different. For centuries, healers have argued that aquamarine will help:

recover from diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
improve the condition of the organs of vision;
recover from diseases of the nervous system;
get rid of skin diseases.

The gem helped to improve the condition of the heart and blood vessels, for this it should be worn on the chest. For medicinal purposes, you can use a pendant or pendant.

Aquamarine calms the human nervous system, helps to heal from mental illnesses.

Previously, healers prepared a powder from a gem, they ground the aquamarine and gave it to the sick. This medicine was believed to help cure leprosy and festering ulcers.

To cure diseases of the endocrine system, aquamarine was worn around the neck. He absorbed negative energy and helped to cope with the disease.

Aquamarine jewelry

In addition, healers claimed that those who regularly wear the gem are healthy. As the stone stimulates work immune system and promotes cell regeneration.

But astrologers said that aquamarine is most suitable for the following signs of the zodiac:

Aquarius.
Libra.
Pisces.

Aquarians can wear aquamarine every day, regardless of what metal the jewelry is made of. The mineral will help the representatives of this sign become more self-confident and more serious. It will help to cope with personal problems and dispel doubts.

The Libra element is considered air, representatives of this zodiac sign are dreamy natures who have a penchant for creativity. Aquamarine will help unleash their potential, channel energy in the right direction, as well as cope with doubts and overcome difficulties.

If we talk about Pisces, then the stone helps them to maintain health, fill the representatives of this zodiac sign with energy and the desire to work.

When going on a trip, it is worth taking aquamarine with you, it will help to avoid difficulties and difficult situations. Such a talisman will suit all zodiac signs.

Stunning resemblance

Aquamarine, which is green in color, which is transparent, bears a certain resemblance to some stones that are considered precious:

alexandrite;
chrysoberyl.

Alexandrite is a stone that has an amazing effect, it can change color. In the morning the stone is green, and in the evening it turns purple or red. Alexandrite is highly valued because today only one stone deposit is known, which is located in the Urals. But even at this deposit, the extraction of the mineral has long been stopped. For this reason, the gem is so highly valued all over the world.

Alexandrite was presented as a gift to Emperor Alexander II. Large stones are rarely found in nature. In order to adequately assess the cost of minerals, it is worth noting that today their extraction is considered unprofitable. In the United States, at one of the auctions, a carat weight of alexandrite was put up, the cost of this stone was estimated at five thousand dollars.

The situation can change only if in the near future geologists manage to discover a large alexandrite deposit. But so far this has not happened, which means that there is no need to hope that the price of the gem will fall.

Alexandrite is capable of changing color from green to red, in nature there are various minerals that have a similar effect, but they are all quite expensive.

Green aquamarine bears a certain resemblance to alexandrite, but it costs much less. In addition, aquamarine is not able to turn red - this feature is characteristic of alexandrite.

Chrysoberyl is a stone that has green color, it is classified as precious. One type of mineral can be distinguished, which is called cymophane. This is a gem with the effect of asterism; there are inclusions in the structure of the mineral. That is, the mineral has an amazing feature, when the sun's rays hit the structure of the stone, it seems that a star is hidden in it.

A similar effect occurs due to the fact that there are cavities in cymophane that are filled with air. When the rays of the sun hit the stone, it sparkles with incredible power. In nature, there are only a few gems that have the effect of asterism, for this reason, such stones are expensive. Cymophanes can be not only green, but also yellow, the name of this stone is translated as "golden". Like alexandrite, it is considered a type of chrysoberyl.

Despite the fact that aquamarine can have a green or even yellow tint, it does not have the effect of asterism. Such stones do not exist in nature.