Aquamarine drives its name from the Latin term sea-water, and one look at this elegant gems blue hues easily explain why.

According to legend, Aquamarine was the treasure of mermaids and had the power to keep sailors safe at sea. It was also thought to possess a number of other mystical properties, including the ability to help couples smooth out their differences; protect against he wiles of the devil; cure headaches, insomnia and other ailments; quicken the intellect; and attract new friends. It is the symbol for youth, hope, health and fidelity.

It is also the birthstone for March and recommended gem for couples celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary.

A variety of mineral beryl, like the Emerald, Aquamarine is found in many exotic places around the world, including Afghanistan, Angola, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Zambia, and Zambabwe. But most of the gemstones available in the market today come from Brazil.

Aquamarine is found in a range of blue shades, from pale pastel to greenish blue to deep blue. Deeper colors are unusual in smaller sizes; generally, it takes a larger stone to hold a darker shade. The most prized Aquamarines are those displaying a deeper, pure blue, with no green tints. These are rarer and therefore more valuable. But if you prefer those with a greenish hue, you should be able to get them for a bargain price.

Like with any gem that is pale, Aquamarines should be eye Clean, no inclusion visible to the naked eye, since internal flaws are more noticeable in a pastel stone. This shouldnt be much of a problem, unlike its emerald sister, Aquamarine is known for being relatively free of inclusions. This is why Aquamarines are frequently cut with large step facets to show off their flawless surfaces. The most popular cuts for Aquamarine are oval and Emerald.

Settings for Aquamarine can also safely expose more of the gemstone than is possible with Emerald. Aquamarines tendency toward having few inclusions makes it less susceptible to nicks or cracks than many other gems. With an 8 ranking on the Mohs hardness scale, the stone is very durable and can stand up to everyday wear. Its clear, pale brilliance makes it an appropriate stone for all types of jewelry, and it combines well with all jewelry metals and is flattering to most skin tones.

Aquamarine is commonly heat treated to permanently remove green overtones. Unlike its sister stone the Emerald, Aquamarine generally is not plagued by surface fractures, which means the stone is not usually treated with filters, resin or oils. Even so, avoid mechanical cleaners. To clean Aquamarine, use warm soapy water.

The largest known Aquamarine is 243 pound stone found in Brazil in 1920. It was cut into many smaller stones and a 13 pond uncut piece resides in the American Museum of Natural History. Another noted Aquamarine is an 879.5 carats flawless, step-cut, sea green stone on display in the British Museum of Natural History.