AQUAMARINE (AQUA BERYL)

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Beryl is Beryllium aluminum silicate, frequently with some sodium, lithium and cesium. The chemistry is Be3Al2Si60qi. The hardness is between 7-1/2 and 8 and the streak is white. The name "Aquamarine" refers to the paleish blue, light blue-green or even light green variety of beryl. The green of aquamarine is a watery green without any trace of yellow and is due to iron, not chromium.

ENVIRONMENT: Beryl develops in pegmatites and certain metamorphic rocks. It occurs with quartz, microcline, and muscovite in pegmatites, and with quartz, muscovite, and almandine in schist of regional metamorphic rocks.

OCCURRENCE: Most Aquamarine comes from the pegmatites of Brazil, where crystals weighing several kilos have been found. Other deposits are in the Soviet Union (Transbaikalia, Urals and Siberia), Madagascar, the United States, and recently, Afghanistan.

GEMSTONE INFORMATION: The most valuable color is a rich, sky blue; but because the stone is pleochroic, even the blue stones have a green or greenish-blue tinge in one direction. Quite large stones, ranging from several carats to more than ten or a few tens of carats, are relatively common. Many are virtually free of inclusions. The most common cut is the emerald type, although mixed oval or pear-shaped cuts are not infrequent.

NAME: The name is from the Greek [beryllos], indicating any green gemstone. (The majority of Beryl mined is some shade of green.) "Aquamarine" was first coined by the Romans and means "water of the sea".

LEGEND and LORE: Aquamarine is a traditional protective and luck stone for fishermen. In addition, it has been carved into cups and goblets because of the belief that it aids digestion and reduces body fluids.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: This stone is associated with Sea Goddesses. It is recommended for increasing psychic abilities.

HEALING: Traditionally, Aquamarine has been used for relief of stomach disorders and as a diuretic. It has also been recommended for toothaches.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: I use Aquamarine for the elimination of excess body fluids. I've used it for kidney and bladder distress. It will also work as a "diet" stone because it not only relieves eating disorders, but soothes the emotions behind them. As an aqua stone, it can be used at the Throat Chakra for sore throats, tonsillitis and other inflammations. Magically, I use this stone to represent Dolphin and the feminine principles of the Oceans.

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1. Scientific, Environment, Occurrence and Name are from (or paraphrased from) "The Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Rocks and Minerals".

2. Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gemstones" by E. H. Rutland.

3. Other Precious and semi-precious gemstone information may come from "Gem Cutting", sec. ed., by John Sinkankas.

4. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.

5. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

6. Some of the healing information may come from "A Journey Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

7. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks, by Tandika Star.

8. Other Scientific Information is from "Simon & Schuster's Guide to Gems and Precious Stones".