10 Things You Didn’t Know About Aquamarine

“The lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid’s treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied.” – Pliny the Elder

Aquamarine is a stone of communication that connects the heart and throat chakras, allowing you to speak your truth authentically, clearly, and with your highest good. With its first recorded use in Greece, 400 B.C., it quickly became popular in many societies over the course of 2,000 years. Today, it can be found across the world in places like the U.S., Australia, Brazil, Africa, and Pakistan. Aquamarine is considered an important stone for speakers and travelers because of its properties of protection as well as its ability to enhance communication. It has a very calming presence that balances the emotional body while relieving negative feelings like anger, stress, and anxiety. Aquamarine helps you to get in touch with your spirit guides and your higher self, expanding awareness, boosting insight, and inspiring the senses of creativity. Because it’s such a versatile stone with calming vibrations, it can be paired with virtually any other stone of the heart. What more can we possibly ask for? Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Aquamarine. 

1. Aquamarine, the Origins of a Name 

The name of this stone comes from two separate Latin words: aqua, meaning “water” and marina, meaning “of the sea”. This origin is most likely related to the physical appearance of the stone as well as its elemental properties of water and its association with Sailors and travelers of the sea. 

2. Aquamarine, a Stone of Good Luck and Protection 

The origins of the name Aquamarine had very apparently travelled across the seas (much like fans of this aquatic stone). Roman fishermen would call it “water of the sea” and often carried the stone for protection, safe travel by boat, and for luck in catching fish. Aquamarine was also linked to the Apostle, St. Thomas who often travelled by boat, most likely using the stone for protective purposes. It has also been said that the mineral beryl of aquamarine quickens the intellect to protect the wearer against foes in battle – it is believed to make one unconquerable.   

3. Aquamarine in Christian History 

One of the earliest recorded origins of birthstones comes from the breastplate of Aaron, otherwise known as the “High Priest’s Breastplate” or the “Breastplate of Judgment” which was attached to the ephod, designed by the Lord which priests would wear while performing their duties – a reminder of their purpose before God and representing all people. On this breastplate were four rows of crystals, each row consisting of three stones, for a total of twelve stones, each representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The second crystal in the fourth row was believed to be Beryl or Aquamarine, representative of the tribe Zebulun. The name Zebulun translates to “gift” or “reward” and is relative to prophecy, meditation, and inspiration- all the properties of Aquamarine to which the name corresponds.

4. Aquamarine, a Stone of Love and Harmony 

Although many myths and legends surround this stone of the sea, perhaps the most touching is those of its ability to bring love and harmony. The Romans believed that if the figure of a frog was carved into an aquamarine stone, it would reconcile feud between enemies and make them friends. In another Roman legend, it says that “when blessed and worn, it joins in love and does great things”, stating that the stone absorbs the atmosphere of young love. In medieval times, aquamarine was known to have the ability to reawaken love between married couples and would often be gifted by the groom to his bride after the consummation of their marriage. To the Sumerians, Egyptians, and Hebrews, it was a treasured stone of happiness and everlasting youth. 

5. Aquamarine, a Divination Tool 

In the Middle Ages, many writers claimed that aquamarine was the most effective among oracle crystals and that, when carved into a crystal ball, it became a superior stone for fortune telling. In ancient literature, many methods of divination with aquamarine were recorded, the most common being a pendulum and bowl apparatus. In this method, the stone would be tied to a thread and hung over a bowl of water (its inner edges inscribed with the letters of the alphabet), just barely touching the surface. The diviner would hold the thread above the water and allow the crystal to touch against the letters, spelling out answers to specific questions. In another method, the crystal would be cast into a bowl of pure water, the disturbances on the surface revealing messages to the seeker. These powers were also said to help one in the search for a lost item.    

6. Aquamarine, an Antidote 

Among its many mystifying energies and properties, perhaps the most fascinating is the belief that aquamarine is an antidote to poison. William Langland’s The Vision Concerning Piers and Plowman, 1377 mentions aquamarine stone as an antidote for poison. This was, at the time, widely familiar throughout Europe and because of how common poisonings were among Royals, aquamarine was in popular demand solely for this purpose. Apparently it was sufficient to simply wear the stone as a pendant or ring, and was not necessary to pulverize and consume it like it was for other crystals. *(this is not medical advice nor is it scientifically proven – if you suspect you or someone else have been poisoned, seek medical attention immediately)* 

7. Aquamarine, Ancient Superstition 

Aquamarine’s popularity quickly spread across many cultures and civilizations after its discovery in 400 B.C. Many beliefs and superstitions surrounded the stone and its energies, many believing that it could alter the mental and physical states, also affecting natural occurrences. Perhaps because it has been known since antiquity as “the water of the sea”, it was often used in ceremonies to bring rain when necessary or to curse enemies with drought. It was also believed that aquamarine would quicken the wearer’s intellect and “cure” laziness.  

8. Aquamarine, an Aquatic Treasure 

As the translation of its name would suggest “water of the sea”, Aquamarine’s association with all things aquatic lends room for some rather fascinating stories behind its magic. The stone is a celebration of mermaids and sea goddesses, with ancient lore suggesting that it exists in abundance within the treasure chests of mermaids. Its association with Poseidon and Neptune would fit the belief that aquamarine protected sailors and other travelers of the sea who wore it. The theory is that mermaids and other gods, goddesses, and creatures of the sea treasured the stone so much that they would protect those who wore or possessed it. Perhaps because of these reasons as well as all its associations with water, as mentioned above, aquamarine would often be cleansed with sea water and by the light of the full moon. 

9. Aquamarine in Mental Healing 

Aquamarine is best known for being a stone of the throat and the heart, a partner in expressing our deepest emotional truths, but it is also a stone of the mind. As its element is water, representative of the fluidity with which energy moves throughout the universe, it’s no wonder it can have such a positive impact on the mental state. Aquamarine is strongly associated with tranquility and inner peace as it quiets the mind and gives us a little break from the turmoil of our thoughts. In these respects, it is known to treat spiritual and psychological disturbances, helping us to reach a higher state of consciousness. Used in conjunction with the Hanged Man card of the Tarot, it helps us to better understand the importance of taking some time off to contemplate and realign our values. Mental health is just as important as physical health – when meditating with aquamarine, it can make all the difference.  

10. Aquamarine in Physical Healing 

Among its many metaphysical properties, aquamarine has also been known to aid the physical body in a variety of ways. Some cultures believed that the stone was an effective remedy for issues regarding the stomach and that it could alleviate bloating, belching, and yawning. It was also believed to relieve all sorts of physical pain, directly affecting the throat, jaws, liver, stomach and tooth pain. As recorded by Damigeron in the second century B.C., Aquamarine stone could be put into water as a drink to cure damage and afflictions of the eyes and all types of sickness. It could also be crushed up and put into the eyes as medical treatment. Today, it is believed that the stone can be great for fluid retention and glandular disorders.   

Birthstone: March

Zodiac: Aries, Gemini, Pisces, Aquarius, Scorpio 

Planet: Neptune 

Element: Water

Chakras: Throat & Heart 

Vibration Number: 1 

Healing Properties: Cleansing, meditation, serenity, balance, communication, peace, inspiration, protection