Aquamarine bracelets

Recently I bought a few bracelets made from aquamarine beads from a shop in Chinatown. The beads
are shinny and attractive to look at. I can just be happy admiring the stones and holding them in my palms.

 

Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin words “aqua” (water) and “marina” (of the sea).  It is from the beryl family (which included emeralds and morganite.  It ranges from a blue-green colour to a pale blue. It is an Astrological birthstone for Scorpio.

 

In geology, beryl is a mineral composed of beryllium aluminium cyclosilicate with the chemical formula Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆. The hexagonal crystals of beryl may be very small or range to several meters in size. Terminated crystals are relatively rare. Pure beryl is colourless, but it is frequently tinted by impurities; possible colours are green, blue, yellow, red, and white. Clear green aquamarine is hard to find and I really love to acquire a bracelets of green aquamarine, not dark green stone like emerald (too expensive to buy).

 

The clear, almost colourless blue are also the most sought after and valuable of the aquamarine stones. These clear stones are often cut and mounted into jewelry like rings and pendants. The aquamarine in my bracelets is bluish in colour and translucent rather than transparent. That could be the reason why it was made into beads. For clear aquamarine, it is sure to be very costly to make into bracelets, considering the number of beads used in the bracelets.

 

Gem quality aquamarine

A rough aquamarine

A magnificent ring

Because its name was derived from the sea, it was often gifted to, and worn by, sailors, who believed it would help them traverse the deep waters safely.  Roman soldiers would also wear it in battle, as they believed it would make them invincible and bring them victory.
Aquamarine stones are found in many places, such as Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar.  The most valuable aquamarine stones come from Brazil.
According to ancient folklore, in addition to the beliefs already mentioned, aquamarine was also thought to assist in the treatment of yawning, belching, and in curing ailments to the stomach, liver, throat, jaws, and even toothaches.

Because its name is a connection to water and the sea, it was also used in rituals to either bring rain, or, for malevolent purposes, to help cause drought to your enemies.
Although aquamarine is thought to have great healing power, I collect this stone is because I like its hue and the price is still affordable at this point in time.