As you might expect from a gem whose name means sea water, Aquamarine captures the beauty of the sea. This member of the beryl family, which also includes emerald, is found in a range of pastel blue and greenish blue shades, from the palest hint to a deep sky blue. The elegant icy color looks as fresh with earth tones as with other pastel shades. And it is the perfect accompaniment to grey and navy.

Legends say that aquamarine is the treasure of mermaids, with the power to keep sailors safe at sea. Its powers are said to be even stronger when it is immersed in water.

In addition to calming the waves, in legend aquamarine also has a soothing influence on relationships, especially on married couples. Its power to ensure a long and happy marriage makes it a good anniversary gift. A dream of aquamarine means that you will meet new friends.

This elegant gemstone is the birthstone for March. Its icy color is a flattering complement to a wide range of skin tones, making this gem a timeless classic of the gem world.

Aquamarine is always a pastel blue but the darker the color, the more valuable. Connoisseurs also prefer a pure blue, with no green or gray in it. If you prefer a greenish tinge, you will find that these stones are less expensive. Greenish aquamarine is often heated to remove the yellow component of the color.

Aquamarines are mined in a number of exotic places including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, but most of the gemstones available today come from Brazil.

Because the color is generally pale, fine aquamarine is expected to have good clarity. This gem is often cut in ovals and emerald cuts. More saturated colors are unusual in small sizes: usually it takes some size for the color to reach a darker shade.

With a hardness of 7.5, aquamarine is a durable gem perfect for everyday wear. Clean with mild dish soap: use a toothbrush to scrub behind the stone where dust can collect.