Aquamarine, one of the most beautiful pastel colored gemstones, is used in some of the most beautiful classic and contemporary jewelry across the world. The lovely soothing hue of aquamarine ranges from mid day sky blue to clear oceanic blue to teal. Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March and anniversary gift for 18th anniversary.

Aquamarine has been used since ancient ages and has mystic beliefs from the past associated to it. Aquamarine was believed to be the lucky stone for sailors who used aquamarine as a talisman to please sea God and wildered in the wild sea without worries. It was also believed that aquamarines came out of the treasure chest of mermaids. Aquamarine was believed to bless a couple with happy marriage, and hence the “blue” in the age old verse “Some thing old, some thing new, some thing borrowed, some thing blue and a six pence in her shoe”, usually has been aquamarine.

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl mineral family, which makes it a cousin of emerald, another gemstone front the same mineral family. The gemstone’s name, aquamarine is derived fro the Latin words “aqua” meaning water and “marina” meaning sea. The lovely hues of blue gemstone remind of the colors of sea from oceanic blue to sea green.

Aquamarine gemstones can be combined with other gemstones to make beautiful gemstone jewelry. Aquamarine can be combined with dark hued gemstones like blue sapphire, tanzanite, black onyx, dark colored gemstones to make beautiful formal wear jewelry to compliment evening or party wear. For beautiful summer wear combine aquamarine gemstones can be combined with other pastel colored gemstones like pink sapphire, amethyst, citrine etc. Aquamarines when combined with diamonds or pearls make breath taking bridal jewelry.

Aquamarine gemstone has a hardness of 7.5 – 8 on Moh’s scale of hardness. This makes aquamarine the ideal gemstone for jewelry. The hardness combined with the toughness of the aquamarine protects the gem against scratches and abrasion in normal wear and tear. This makes aquamarine the perfect jewel quality gem. For the kind of crystal that aquamarine has it looks pretty in all shapes and cuts. While the lovely icy azure brilliance of the lovely blue gemstone is accentuated in the round shape, the emerald cut showcases the beautiful color. Since aquamarines are mostly free of inclusions, these gemstones look great in all cuts and styles. Aquamarines can also be easily cut and carved in fancy shapes which makes the gemstone a delight for gem and jewelry artisans and designers.