The Sailor's Stone

Aquamarine is the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, the same mineral family as emerald. Its name — from the Latin for "seawater" — reflects its pale, clear oceanic colour, long associated with calm and protection for sailors.

Gemologically, aquamarine is described as transparent, with a vitreous luster — qualities that shape how it catches and carries light once cut. Its colour comes from iron (Fe²⁺), and a Mohs hardness in this range holds up well to daily wear, making it a practical choice for rings as well as earrings and pendants.

Santa Maria — The Benchmark Blue

The trade term "Santa Maria" refers to the deepest, most saturated blue an aquamarine can show — a pure, intense sky-to-sea blue with no greenish secondary tone. The name comes from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, where this colour was first associated with the highest grade of the stone. Most aquamarine is a much paler, washed-out blue; true Santa Maria colour is rare and commands a significant premium over standard material.

Where Aquamarine Comes From

Folklore and Healing Traditions

Aquamarine has held a place in decorative arts, folklore, and crystal-healing traditions across cultures for centuries. Those drawn to this dimension of the stone often choose it for its colour and character as much as for any tradition attached to it — a personal, rather than prescriptive, choice.

How Aquamarine Is Graded

Quality in aquamarine is generally assessed across colour, clarity, cut, and carat weight — with colour and overall character typically the dominant factors in value.

What a Lab Report Confirms

A lab report identifies the species, describes colour, and discloses any treatment. Most aquamarine on the market is heat-treated to remove a greenish tint and produce a purer blue — this is a standard, accepted, and largely permanent treatment.

Natural, Ethical, Jaipur-Sourced

Every aquamarine in the Paraiso Jewels vault is described accurately as to its natural or treated status on its label. We source through Jaipur's gem market — one of the world's oldest and most concentrated coloured-stone trading centres — and our stones can be verified at GTL Jaipur, the region's principal gem testing authority.

On request, each piece can be accompanied by documentation covering weight, dimensions, and treatment status. If you have questions about the origin or treatment of a specific stone, contact us via WhatsApp or email and we'll provide full details.