Aquamarine has been credited with providing courage, curing laziness and quickening the intellect. In the Middle Ages it was believed to give the wearer both insight and foresight and freedom from insomnia. Among various peoples, it had the reputation of providing happiness and everlasting youth. Water in which an aquamarine had been soaked was believed to cure eye troubles, stoppage of breath and hiccups. A medium dark blue is the color typical of stones that came from that area.
Brazil is probably the most prolific supplier of aquamarine today.
The natural color of Brazilian gems leans toward bluish-green. Other sources of aquamarine are the African countries of Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria, the island of Sri Lanka, Afghanistan and Russia. Many huge aquamarine crystals have been found. The largest crystal known was found in Brazil in 1920. It was cut into a number of important gemstones.