Aquamarine Beads

Aquamarine is a blue to blue-green member of the beryl family. Most aquamarine forms within open cavities of magma chambers during the late stages of cooling, and it is commonly associated with granite. It also forms within the hydrothermal veins of metamorphic rocks. With a Mohs hardness of 8, it is one of the harder gemstones and is often found exposed in nature after the surrounding softer rocks have eroded away. The high hardness of aquamarine makes it suitable for long-lasting and durable jewelry. The first documented discovery of aquamarine took place in 1723 in the Adun-Chalon mountains of Siberia. Today, however, the gemstone is mined mostly in Brazil. Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin roots ‘aqua’ meaning water and ‘marine’ meaning sea - seawater.Metaphysically, aquamarine is known as the ‘Stone of Courage and Protection.’ It promotes verbal self-expression while helping to overcome communication blocks.