Beryl over , and its dimensions were long and in diameter. The largest cut aquamarine gem is the Dom Pedro aquamarine, now housed in the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of Natural History. The ancient Romans believed that aquamarine would protect against any dangers while travelling at sea, and that it provided energy and cured laziness. Emerald is green beryl, colored by trace amounts of chromium and sometimes vanadium. Most emeralds are highly included, so their brittleness (resistance to breakage) is classified as generally poor. The modern English word "emerald" comes via Middle English "Emeraude", imported from modern French via Old French
USS Aquamarine (PYc-7) named for the gemstone aquamarine. Assigned to the Naval Research Laboratory, Bellevue, D.C., "Aquamarine" assisted in experimental work, chiefly underwater sound. Although most of her experiments were conducted on the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay, she also operated off New London, Connecticut, from 16 October to 4 November 1943, and off the Florida coast and in the Bahamas from 24 January 1944 to 18 April 1945. During 1945 and 1946 "Aquamarine" had additional duty as special tender to the presidential yachts and . "Aquamarine" was decommissioned on 21 June 1946 and transferred to the Maritime Commission on 31 January 1947