Aquamarine Through the Ages – Myths and Legends

From China to India, through ancient writings about rulers, legends of mermaids and myths of gods, aquamarine appears in the folklore of almost every nation. A source of inspiration for writers and sailors alike, its stories have crossed oceans to reach us and reveal their powerful energies.

With the color of the endless ocean, the stone carries the blue hue even in its name, which comes from the Latin words “aqua” – “water” and “marinus” – “sea”. Some of the largest deposits of this blue gemstone are found in Brazil.

Aquamarine is a gemstone with an ancient lineage. Interestingly, in the 19th century, the most popular variety was the one with a greenish tint. Today, the bluer the color, the rarer and more valuable the stone.

Similar to emerald, this stunning crystal is a variety of beryl. It is often found in large crystals, and its main pigment comes from the iron content. Its color spectrum ranges from pale to deep blue.

The Enchanted Jewel of the Sea Mermaids

A Greek legend tells a magical tale of sea mermaids who owned a chest of precious stones, from which the beautiful aquamarine fell into the sea. According to the myth, Neptune himself possessed a scepter adorned with aquamarine.

The first documented records of the sea gem date back to 480 BC, when the Roman philosopher Pliny the Elder immortalized it in his work “Natural History.”

Biblical Legends

Interestingly, the sea gem also finds its place in the Bible. According to scripture, Saint Thomas wore an aquamarine talisman while sailing across the Mediterranean to preach the Gospel. This is no coincidence, as the stone was believed to be the protector of the sea and a bringer of good luck to sailors.

Roman Mythology

Although ancient Roman culture firmly believed that aquamarine was associated solely with the sea, various writings attribute to it a completely different purpose.

One account claims that the stone was used to reconcile enemies. The mystical ritual involved engraving a frog on an aquamarine cup. It was believed that enemies who drank from such cups would bury their hostility.

Indian Beliefs

India created its own beliefs about the crystal-blue jewel. According to tradition, an aquamarine jewel was a mandatory gift for the bride the day after her wedding. The interpretation of this custom stems from the belief that the stone has the mystical power to awaken love.

Aquamarine in the Middle Ages

In times when rulers turned to the supernatural for guidance to rule wisely and purely, seers and oracles were held in high regard. From tea-leaf reading to palmistry, another practice gained popularity — crystal-ball divination.

It is believed that aquamarine has found wide use in this art. Used in the making of prophetic crystal spheres, aquamarine was especially valued for its supposed ability to harness the moon’s magnetic pull and channel magical powers.

At the same time, one of the greatest fears among rulers was that of poisoning.

In 1377, the poet William Langland referred to the texts of Damigeron in his work “The Vision of Piers Plowman,” describing aquamarine as an antidote against poison. This theory gained immense popularity and soon spread throughout Europe.

Perhaps this is one of the reasons why aquamarine earned its place in royal crowns and jewels. Europe has preserved two such crowns that belonged to Saint Wenceslas and Saint Stephen.

The Crown of Saint Wenceslas, better known as the Czech Crown, was commissioned for the coronation of King Charles IV and contained 116 gemstones but only one aquamarine. It was set in the center of the golden cross of the fourth-oldest crown in the world.

According to an old Czech legend, the creation and special placement of the sea gem in the crown carried a purpose: any tyrant who dared to place it on his head would die within a few months.

Is this legend true? We might find an answer in the strange case of the Nazi officer Reinhard Heydrich, who, during a tour of the cathedral where the crown is kept, decided to try it on. A year later, he was captured and killed by the Czech resistance.

The Crown of Saint Stephen, known as the Holy Crown of Hungary, arrived in the country in 1001, sent and blessed by Pope John. Originally, it also featured a single aquamarine, but later, for the coronation of King Matthias III, another crystal was added to the golden jewel.

Yet, the grandeur of these two crowns pales compared to the splendor of a set of bracelets, brooches, necklace, and earrings with aquamarine belonging to Queen Elizabeth. She loved her Brazilian gift so much that she soon commissioned a tiara adorned with the sea stone. The royal admiration for the crystal continued with Princess Diana.

Its Use in Modern Times

Whether or not we believe in the mystical legends and powers of aquamarine, one thing is certain – it remains one of the most preferred gemstones among celebrities and influential figures even today.

The most famous example is the engagement ring designed by Justin Timberlake together with jewelers for his beloved Jessica Biel. The stunning 6-carat ring made it into Vogue magazine’s list of the 10 most remarkable engagement rings of all time. It’s hard to say which sparkled more – Jessica’s smile or the gem under the paparazzi lights.

Do you know what Elton John, Sarah Jessica Parker, Sharon Stone, Reese Witherspoon, and Lady Gaga all have in common? They are all wealthy, famous, born in March — and their jewelry collections all include aquamarine.

One of Princess Diana’s favorite rings was a large aquamarine gem that matched the color of her eyes. It is said that she adored it not only for its magnetic hue. She was first seen wearing it in 1996 at a party celebrating the beginning of her new life after her separation from Prince Charles.

The mesmerizing crystal was later seen on Meghan Markle’s hand the day after her wedding to Prince Harry. Insiders claim the jewel was not just a fashion statement — through it, Meghan continued the tradition of the “something blue” for new beginnings, a custom started by Harry’s mother. The piece seems to be one of the American actress’s favorites, as she wore it again during her first official foreign tour with Prince Harry in Tonga.

Celebrity Styling in Everyday Life

Fortunately, thanks to the wide variety of polished aquamarine available on the market, we can afford to wear this royal gemstone as an accessory in our everyday lives.

Beads made of decorative elements, Moonstone, Hematite, or Citrine, pair beautifully with those of Aquamarine to turn a handmade bracelet into a true jewel that inspires admiration.

If you enjoy crafting, creating a charm with aquamarine makes a wonderful gift for a friend born in March.

If you already own jewelry with the sea stone, you should know that its maintenance is very delicate. To preserve its beauty, clean it with lukewarm soapy water or a specialized jewelry cleaner. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning machines, as they may damage their dazzling brilliance.

Aquamarine is not just a birthstone — it is a magnetic source of love, calmness, tenderness, and admiring glances.