Raw aquamarine is a crystal of striking purity in its natural state. In its raw form, it appears as hexagonal prisms of transparent sky blue that capture light like water frozen in crystal. Aquamarine crystals can reach impressive sizes, sometimes several tens of centimeters, with remarkable transparency and purity of blue. It is a beryl, from the same family as emerald and morganite, colored by iron. The name comes from the Latin aqua marina (sea water), and when you look through a raw aquamarine crystal, you understand why: it is literally the color of the ocean frozen in the mineral. The most beautiful specimens come from Brazil (Minas Gerais), Pakistan (Skardu Valley), Madagascar, and Mozambique.
In lithotherapy, raw aquamarine is considered the purest form of this stone of serenity. The intact crystalline structure is believed to diffuse an energy of clarity, deep calm, and clearer communication more directly than the polished version. Placed on a desk, it clarifies thoughts and helps to communicate fluidly and accurately at work. In a bedroom, it soothes the mind and promotes calm sleep and lucid dreams. Held in the hand during meditation, it opens the throat chakra with clear water energy that purifies troubled emotions and brings one back to the essential. It is also a stone of quiet courage: Greek and Roman sailors carried it on their ships to face storms with serenity. Holding a raw aquamarine crystal in your hand before an important moment is to find that same clarity and calm.
For maintenance, a rinse with clear water and recharging in moonlight are sufficient. Water is, moreover, the most consistent cleaning method for this stone born of the sea. With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, raw aquamarine can be handled without particular precautions.
