Aquamarine birthstone jewellery

The word ‘aquamarine’ comes from the Latin for seawater and ancient mariners thought the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It is still used as a protective stone at sea and for all forms of travel. As aquamarine is so inextricably linked with the sea, the stone’s spiritual benefit is one of cleansing. The gemstone evokes the purity of the sea’s crystal blue waters and the feeling of relaxation that the sea brings. Not only this but its rich colour has long been a symbol of youthfulness, good health and hope.

Aquamarine has a long history rooted in ancient Greece and Rome and has been used in jewellery for at least 3,000 years. In the Middle Ages, it was rumoured to protect its wearer from poisoning, a common worry at the time! Christians believe it’s the stone of St Thomas as he’s the saint of mariners and they once believed that aquamarine jewellery provided safety on the seas, just like their Roman ancestors.

There are many famous aquamarines including the world’s largest cut aquamarine, the Dom Pedro. Found by miners in Pedra Azul, Minas Gerais, Brazil in the 1980s, the original rough crystal measured almost three feet long (91 cm) and weighed almost a hundred pounds (45 kg or 225,000 carats). Accidentally dropped, the specimen broke into three pieces and the Dom Pedro was the largest, named after the first two emperors of Brazil. For a year, the famous gem cutter Bernd Munsteiner worked on the stone, cutting, faceting and polishing it, and transforming it into an incredible obelisk. It now resides in the Smithsonian Museum.

Queen Elizabeth owns an aquamarine parure (matching set) including a tiara featuring several Brazilian aquamarines. In 1957, she commissioned the tiara from Garrard to match her existing aquamarine necklace and earrings. She had the platinum piece set with aquamarines and diamonds she received from Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas as a coronation gift in 1953.