Aquamarine Meaning: Seawater in a Stone

Aquamarine meaning is right there in the name: "aqua marina" is Latin for seawater. This pale blue-green gem has been tied to the ocean and to calm for a very long time. It's also a close cousin of emerald, which surprises most people.

What aquamarine actually is

Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl, the same mineral as emerald. Emerald gets its green from chromium or vanadium. Aquamarine gets its blue from iron. It's a tough stone, rating 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale.

Beryl can grow into huge crystals. The most famous aquamarine is the Dom Pedro, an obelisk over 10,000 carats cut from a single crystal. It's now in the Smithsonian. Wikipedia's beryl page covers the whole family.

Aquamarine meaning: what it's traditionally linked with

Aquamarine is traditionally linked with the sea, calm and clear communication. The story goes that sailors carried it for a safe crossing. Today, a lot of folks keep one close as a reminder to breathe slowly and speak kindly.

It's the modern March birthstone. In chakra charts it sits with the throat. Western zodiac lists most often pair it with Pisces. Is it lucky? Sailors thought so, and that old tale is the root of its lucky reputation. The rest is up to you.

How people use aquamarine

• On the wrist. The aquamarine bracelet has that soft, sea-glass look. The aquamarine and morganite bracelet mixes blue with blush pink.
• Around the neck. The 2-3mm bead necklace is a quiet everyday choice and an easy March gift.
• As a raw piece. An aquamarine chunk is great if you like your stones a bit wild.
• As a mini display. Our aquamarine in a display container suits a collector's shelf.

The aquamarine collection shows what's in stock.

Who tends to choose it? March babies, sailors at heart, and anyone who feels better near water. It's a popular gift for a person who loves the cottage, the lake or the ocean. Wedding parties sometimes pick it as a soft "something blue". It also works well for people who want a gemstone that doesn't shout, because the pale colour goes with anything. A lot of folks who feel a little intimidated by crystals find it an easy way in. If you're shopping for a teen, a bracelet in pale blue is a safe bet. Cooler skin tones and silver settings show off the colour nicely, though there are no rules, so wear it however you like.

Is my aquamarine real?

Bead-grade aquamarine is often cloudy, with pale streaks and tiny lines inside. That's normal and honestly quite pretty. Perfectly clear, bright blue beads for very little money deserve a closer look. They could be glass.

Clear faceted gems need more care. Blue topaz looks similar, and a gemmologist can tell them apart. Heat is also common: many aquamarines are gently heated to remove a green or yellow tint. Gem dealers see this as routine. Treated, dyed and man-made stones are labelled as such in our shop.

What colour aquamarine is most valuable?

Deep, clean, saturated blue fetches the highest prices among faceted gems. Paler stones are far more common. For everyday wear, though, the milky pale beads are often the prettiest. Pick the one you keep looking at. That's honestly how most people do it.

Aquamarine and the beryl family

Aquamarine has some famous relatives. Beryl comes in many colours, and each has its own name. Emerald is the green one. Morganite is peach to pink, which is why it looks so nice beside aquamarine in a bracelet. Heliodor is golden yellow. Goshenite is colourless, and red beryl is one of the rarest gems anywhere.

All of them share the same hexagonal crystal shape. Beryl grows in long six-sided columns, often in pegmatite, a coarse rock known for giant crystals. Rough aquamarine can look like a frosty pale blue pencil.

Here's a nice contrast. Emerald is usually full of inclusions and needs careful handling. Aquamarine tends to grow far cleaner, so gem cutters can make big, clear stones from it. That's why you'll see aquamarine rings with stones the size of a thumbnail.

For a quiet ritual, some people keep a piece by the sink or the tub, since water is its whole theme. Others hold one during a slow breath before a phone call they've been putting off. You don't need any special words. A pale blue stone and ten quiet seconds are plenty.

Caring for aquamarine

It's hard and durable, so warm soapy water is fine. Beads with lots of tiny cracks shouldn't go through an ultrasonic cleaner. Dry with a soft cloth, and keep it away from harder gems such as diamonds, which can scratch it.

Stones that pair well with aquamarine

For a blue set, add lapis lazuli for depth. Opalite adds a milky glow, and it's glass, so it's a budget-friendly match. Rose quartz gives a soft pink and blue mix.

Born in March, or shopping for someone who was? Try the birthstone finder. Everything else lives on our stone meanings page.

Frequently asked questions

What does the colour aquamarine symbolize?

It usually symbolizes the sea, calm and clear communication. Its name comes from the Latin for seawater.

Which rashi can wear aquamarine?

Aquamarine isn't one of the nine classic gems of Vedic astrology, so advice varies. Western lists most often pair it with Pisces. Ask your astrologer if you follow that system.

Is aquamarine a lucky stone?

Sailors thought so, and they carried it for a safe crossing. That's where its lucky reputation comes from.

What colour aquamarine is most valuable?

Deep, clean, saturated blue brings the highest prices. Paler stones are far more common, and they're often lovely for everyday wear.

Is aquamarine the same as blue topaz?

No. Aquamarine is a beryl, while blue topaz is a separate mineral. They can look alike once faceted.

What month is aquamarine the birthstone for?

March. Bloodstone is the traditional alternative for March birthdays.

Come say hi

Pale stones change a lot in daylight, so they're worth seeing in person. Visit us at 396 Victoria Street North in Kitchener, or shop aquamarine online.