Aquamarine bracelet — 1.2cm beads, elastic-strung, size 18–19cm. Aquamarine, whose name comes from the Latin aqua marina (sea water), is a precious stone known since antiquity. It was much prized by sailors, who wore it as a talisman to protect themselves on their crossings and to calm the anger of the sea. In mythology it was associated with the goddesses of the sea and symbolised eternal youth, purity and serenity.
 
A member of the beryl family, like emerald, aquamarine forms in beryllium-rich granitic rocks, often alongside quartz and feldspar. Its blue to blue-green colour comes from the presence of iron in its crystalline structure. The main deposits are found in Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, Pakistan and Russia.
 
Emotional and spiritual virtues — It soothes stress, anxiety and fear, fostering relaxation and inner peace. It encourages gentle communication — the sincere, calm expression of emotions — ideal for those who are reserved or who struggle to voice their feelings, and it strengthens self-confidence, helping you move beyond shyness and speak with assurance. A stone of truth and clarity, it fosters intuition, meditation and connection with one's deeper self, protects against negative influences and purifies the aura, and accompanies times of transition and renewal with courage and serenity.
 
By tradition, aquamarine was considered the stone of happy couples and was often given as a wedding gift to strengthen love and fidelity. Associated with the throat chakra, it fosters communication and self-listening. Its soft colour recalls the transparency of lagoons, making it a stone much loved for its soothing virtues and refined beauty. It is said to protect travellers at sea as much as those in search of new inner horizons.