Santa Maria Aquamarine comes from the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and is extracted from metamorphic pegmatites. It was discovered in the 50s. Unfortunately, today these mines where this gem of wonderful quality and incomparable color is extracted are practically out of order. Although it can be found in other countries, this type of Aquamarine has an incomparable beauty. They can be considered nocturnal gemstones. During the day, it reflects the light, giving us brightness and splendor, and at night, at candle light, it shows its sumptuousness, giving us the impression that it is lit by its brightness and beauty.
This aquamarine has a very rare deep blue tonality, and it comes from the Brazilian town of Santa Maria de Itabira. Formerly, it was said that it had the power to calm the fury of the sea god Poseidon, or Neptune for the Romans. It was called the “Sailor stone”, because they used it as a talisman against sea sickness and as protection against storms. In the Medium Age, magicians believed that this gem prevented against fluid retention and it improved digestion; they also believed that it acted as an antidote to any poison.
The stones that are offered today were acquired in previous years. Since the beginning of the 90’s, aquamarines of similar colors were extracted but they were from Africa, known as African Aquamarines, and the Brazilian ones were called Santa Maria, and they had superior quality. It is the birthstone for the month of March and it boosts perspicacity and wisdom in children.
By coincidence, a place with a variety of aquamarine was discovered on the farm of Sao Domingo in Brazil. It has a pastel blue color and extraordinary brightness. They closed its activity in 1965, and since then they have been restoring the mining houses and fixing the streets for vacation periods. A reservoir of clean water was also built and they transformed it into a touristic area.
When it comes to gems, Minas Gerais or “General Mines” in English, is the first Brazilian state that comes to our mind. It is an area rich in precious stones such as quartz, sphene, Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet, Tourmaline, Santa Maria Aquamarine and Quartz Ouro Verde de Juwelo. Another one is Boca Rica Aquamarine, which can come in pastel blue shades and also light green, with incredible shine and transparency. Its name is really appropriate, because it describes the shades of golden green, typical reflections of this stone. This color can only be found in Minas Gerais!
Aquamarine is a semiprecious variety of beryl. Due to its blue-green color and brightness, it has been associated with the sea and the element water. The name is derived from the Latin “aqua” and “marinus”, and long ago, it was known as the sailor stone. Its blue tone is due to the presence of traces of iron. This gem contains all the mystery and fascination of the sea.
ALFA