The Gemstone Aquamarine. Aquamarine, named for the Latin phrase "water of the sea", is the blue to blue-green variety Beryl. Aquamarine ranges in color from a faint light blue to blue and bluish-green, with lighter colored stones being the more common type. The light blue to blue-green color of Aquamarine may fade upon prolonged exposure to light. Aquamarine is a hard and durable gem, but it may develop internal cracks if banged hard.