Aquamarine is a member of the beryl family and ranges in color from an almost colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. The most prized color is a deep-blue aqua color. It is 7.5-8 on the scale of hardness and gets its name from words meaning water and sea.

Aquamarines are usually faceted, but when cut as a cabochon, they may display a cat's eye effect known as asterism.

Some gemstones are heated to high temperatures to enhance the color and/or clarity of a stone. Aquamarines are often heat treated to change a blue-green or teal colored stone to a pure blue. This results in a permanent color change.

Aquamarine is surface mined using an open-pit.   Fires are set next to giant boulders so that the rock will split open.  Once the rock splits open, the miners use picks, chisels, and hammers to break it down so that they can get to the gemstones.  It is found in granite and metamorphic rock.

Since early times, aquamarine has been believed to endow the wearer with foresight, courage, and happiness. It is said to increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is said to be effective as a treatment for anxiety and  it was also thought that aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons.

A legend says that sailors wore aquamarine gemstones to keep them safe and prevent seasickness.