BERYL (var. AQUAMARINE)   HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Aquamarine, which has been known since antiquity, was recognized as a variety of beryl in 1797.  The name “aquamarine,” pronounced ahh-kwa-mar-REEN, stems from the Latin aqua marina, literally meaning “sea water,” in allusion to its blue and greenish-blue colors.  Important collecting localities are in Namibia, Brazil, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Russia, Madagascar, Malawi, and the United States (Colorado, Maine, California).   MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Aquamarine crystallizes in the hexagonal system as well-developed, six-sided, transparent-to-translucent prisms.  It has a blue-to-greenish-blue color, a vitreous luster, a Mohs hardness of 7.5-8.0, and a specific gravity of 2.6-2.9.  It occurs primarily in granite pegmatites in association with such minerals as albite, quartz, and muscovite.   METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Aquamarine has served as a gemstone since medieval times.  Because of its blue colors, aquamarine acquired much superstitious lore that was connected to the sea, especially the belief that it could protect sailors on their voyages.  Aquamarine remains a popular gemstone today and is usually faceted into classic square, rectangular, and round gems of one to ten carats.  According to modern metaphysical practitioners, aquamarine provides foresight and courage; enhances happiness, intelligence, and youthful qualities; and alleviates anxiety-related stress.  Aquamarine has no technological uses.   COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Aquamarine is valued by collectors because it is an uncommon variety of beryl, and also for its pleasing blue colors, well-developed crystals, and occurrence in attractive composite specimens with other pegmatite minerals.

ELBAITE

HISTORY, NAME, LOCALITIES: Elbaite, pronounced ELL-buh-ite, has been known since antiquity, but was not recognized as a distinct mineral species until 1913.  It is named for its type locality on the island of Elba, Italy.  Elbaite is collected in Brazil, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Italy, Madagascar, Namibia, Sri Lanka, and the United States (Maine, California).

MINERALOGY, PROPERTIES, OCCURRENCE: Elbaite [basic sodium aluminum lithium borosilicate, Na(Al_1.5,Li_1.5)Al₆(BO₃)₃(Si₆O₁₈)(OH)₄], a member of the tourmaline group, crystallizes in the hexagonal system as short-to-long, striated prisms with hexagonal cross sections and flat terminations.  It is transparent to translucent, has a vitreous luster, and is usually pink, reddish-pink, green, or blue-green.  It has a substantial Mohs hardness of 7.0-7.5, no cleavage, a refractive index of 1.615-1.651, and a specific gravity of 2.9-3.2.  Elbaite occurs primarily in lithium-rich, granite pegmatites.

METAPHYSICAL PROPERTIES, LORE, USES: Modern metaphysical practitioners believe that pink elbaite removes fear and negativity, calms the nerves, provides inspiration, and dispels grief; green elbaite is thought to promote compassion and emotional healing and help to connect with the Earth.  Green elbaite is especially valuable in helping herbalists to understand the flow of energy between minerals and plants.  Elbaite is a valuable and important gemstone.  Transparent crystals with rich, pink, green, or blue-green colors are faceted into costly gems.

COLLECTORS’ INFORMATION: Because of its wide range of colors, excellent crystal development, and sometimes large crystal size, collectors value elbaite as individual crystals and as composite specimens in association with quartz and albite.