The beautiful blue translucency of aquamarine earned its Latin name, "Water of the Sea"; and was not surprisingly the talisman of sailors since ancient times. Fifteen aquamarines grace this lovely necklace, each in an oval shape engraved with 'baroque' style curved lines. This creates a 'textured' effect which heightens the natural sparkle of the gem, as well as giving the impression of waves. In contrast to the aquamarine are sixteen peridots, nestled between the pearls. For 3500 years peridots have been mined on the island of St. John in the Red Sea. Brought to Europe during the crusades in the Middle Ages, they were frequently used for ecclesiastical purposes. On this necklace the larger aquamarines appear to be lapping against the verdant green of the peridots, as a gentle sea against the shores of rich pastures, with delicate pearl-like clouds floating overhead.