Aquamarine’s cool blue hues are reflected in its name, which comes from the Latin word for i?sea wateri?. Tales of Aquamarine date back to ancient seafaring days. Sailors of old believed that these glittering, watery gems came from the treasure chests of mermaids, and brought luck to all who sailed the seas. One of the most popular of all gemstones, Aquamarine ranges in color from intense, deep blue to lighter shades of sky and water. Aquamarine is a variety of the beryl species, which also includes the gemstone Emerald. However, unlike Emerald, Aquamarine crystals are usually blessed with excellent clarity and can grow to huge sizes. A single crystal of high clarity, weighing over 240 pounds and measuring over 16i? in diameter, was found in Brazil in 1910.