Geology/History
The name Aquamarine is derived from Latin, meaning aqua marina or water of the sea. It is a green to blue or aqua variety of Beryl. There is a deep blue variety from Madagascar known as Maxixe. Aquamarine is photosensitive and can fade to white when exposed to sunlight or high heat treatment however, low heat treatment (725 – 850 degrees F) & Irradiation enhances & deepens the colour. Unlike heat treating irradiating does not affect a permanent colour shift.
The colouring agent of Aquamarine is Iron (Fe) pale blue colours are attributed to Fe2+. The darker blue of Maxixe Aquamarine occurs when Fe2+ & Fe3+ are present. The decoloration of Maxixe by sunlight or heat is possibly due to the charge transfer between Fe3+ & Fe2+. The dark blue Maxixe colour can be produced by irradiating green, pink or yellow beryl with high-energy particles such as gamma rays, neutrons or even X-rays.
Found globally in varying qualities Aquamarine occurs in prismatic crystals that form within pegmatites, granites & some regionally metamorphosed rock. USA, Brazils, Colombia, Zambia, Madagascar, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Sri Lanka & Australia produce excellent Aquamarine’s. The largest gemstone quality Aquamarine of ever found was found in Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil, in 1910. It weighed over 110 kg (240 lb), its dimensions are 48.5 cm (19 in) long & 42 cm (17 in) in diameter. The Dom Pedro is the largest cut aquamarine gem it is housed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History.

Metaphysical Properties
A stone of peace, tranquility & fluidity. Both Angelic & Earthly it brings the Divine into the physical plane, allowing for enormous white light to enter the body. Giving ease through periods of difficult transitions it brings calmness with serenity. Aquamarine opens the heart with great compassion building inner strength while gently releasing old wounds & past hurts, creating space for the new to grow.
A universal connector & information conduit it assists with translating ancient & other world energies. Aquamarine is excellent for healers & light workers as it retrieves past powers, lost abilities & activates the bodies light pillars. Also providing a massive expansion of one’s own light within.
The path of enlightenment unfolds when Aquamarine is activated, it is a key to many doors in the spirit realm. Highly protective of the light & allies of the light. It harbors a light so powerful it is impervious to darkness & destruction.

Crystal Healing
An excellent all round healer, great for the heart, colds, hormonal dysfunctions, allergies & un-diagnosable/auto immune issues.

Mineralogy
Group: Beryl - Cyclosilicate
Crystal System: Hexagonal
Composition: Be₃Al₂(SiO₃)₆          
Form/Habit: Prismatic to tabular crystals; radial, columnar; granular to compact massive
Hardness: 7.5–8
Cleavage: Indistinct
Fracture: Conchoidal, uneven, brittle
Lustre: Vitreous to resinous
Streak: White
Specific Gravity: 2.68 - 2.74
Transparency: Transparent to opaque
R.I: 1.564–1.569
Colour: Green – light blue to dark blue
Birefringence: δ = 0.0040–0.0070
Fluorescence: None
Pleochroism: Definite; nearly colourless, light blue, blue, light green
Strunz Classification: 09.CJ.05