Aquamarine crystals cluster with light green fluorite
Aquamarine is a variety of beryl. It is a relatively common mineral that mostly occurs in pegmatite rocks and is often found together with the ordinary beryl. The biggest deposits were found in Brazil, Colombia, United States, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Zambia, Russia, India and Pakistan.
Aquamarine forms pyramidal crystals that can be quite large. Its color ranges from pale blue and transparent turquoise to bluish-green and depends on the concentration of the iron particles within the hexagonal crystalline structure of beryl. The bluish-greenish hue is responsible for the stone's name which comes from the Latin "aqua marina" or sea water.
The stone was well known and valued in Antiquity. It was regarded as a symbol of peace and tranquility. Aquamarine jewelry was highly prized not only for its beauty, but also for its protective value especially for sailors and those who had to undertake a sea journey as this stone would ensure a safe passage to those who wore it. Aquamarine amulets would protect them from sea sickness and from drowning in raging seas.
Aquamarine is associated with the throat chakra and has the ability to activate this energy center. It stimulates, balances, and cleanses the throat chakra. It gives the courage to articulate one's deepest convictions. It also helps improve communication skills and takes away the fear of public speaking. The stone helps clear doubt and uncertainty and enhances creative verbal expression. It encourages tolerance and honesty and enables the expression of truth.
Aquamarine is a stone of beauty, honesty, courage, and loyalty. It has the ability to clarify the thought process and perception and to speed up response in difficult situations. It helps deal with difficult emotions and grief. The stone emanates calming energy that helps reduce stress and pacify the mind. It also sharpens intuition and brings inner peace and serenity. These qualities make it a perfect stone for deep meditation. One gains the ability to access higher levels of awareness.
Aquamarine is sometimes used in thanatology as it is believed to ease the pain of the dying person and to facilitate transition. The stone helps release the karmic bonds.
In Antiquity aquamarine was used to cure eye diseases. To achieve an healing effect the eyes were washed with aquamarine gem water. Aquamarine was also used traditionally to cure conditions of the throat and the thyroid gland. The stone is considered to be useful for curing toothache, cough, and pain in the jaw. It helps balance the hormones and calms an overactive immune system. It is believed that aquamarine strengthens the kidneys and helps reduce water retention. For best results, aquamarine should be worn next to the skin.
Aquamarine is a very beautiful gemstone that balances energy flow and creates harmony in the house. Those who contemplate its beauty report enhanced awareness and tranquility. The calming energy of aquamarine gives any home the quality of a sanctuary.
By Dominique Allmon
*This information is for educational purposes only and is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.
Healing properties of aquamarine by Dominique Allmon is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.