The Romans and Greeks both revered the stone in this way, and thought of it as the 'sailor's gem'. In times gone by, as a very last resort, sailors caught in a storm were believed to have thrown their Aquamarines overboard in an attempt to calm the gods. When Aquamarine's perceived powers appeared to dwindle, the gem would be placed in water on the night of a sparkling full moon in order to revitalize it. One such legend states that the qualities of the gem are especially strong when it has been submerged in water. Many superstitions and legends told throughout the long history of Aquamarine relate to water and the oceans. Pliny the Elder (23 AD - 79 AD) said of the gem, "The lovely Aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid's treasure house, in the depths of the summer sea, has charms not to be denied". Once believed to be the treasure of mermaids, it was often worn by sailors and travelers as a talisman to protect against being shipwrecked and to ward off sea sickness. Used in jewelry since at least 500 BC, its tropical ocean blue tones effortlessly invoke images of landless skies and the waters below. It is easy to see why Aquamarine has always been associated with the sea. Aquamarine can have wonderful clarity, meaning that it dazzles with a bright, energetic sparkle. Known as the gem of the sea, even the name ‘Aquamarine’ comes from the Latin ‘aqua’ for ‘water’ and ‘marina’ for ‘of the sea’. One of the most popular blue gemstones, Aquamarine is steeped in myth and legend. Aquamarine is the soft pale blue variety of the Beryl family of gemstones, which also includes Morganite, Goshenite, Yellow Beryl and Emerald.
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