March's Birthstone: Aquamarine
Folks with a birth date in the month of March have the option of choosing one of two very different stones to honor their birth month. While Aquamarine is the most well known stone for the month of March, a perfectly acceptable alternative is Bloodstone. (We'll talk more about Bloodstone in a later post.)
Aquamarine's name is derived from aqua marinus, Latin for "seawater", which is quite fitting since it is the blue to blue-green member of the beryl family. (Other beryl members include emerald and morganite.) Aquamarine can fluctuate in shades from medium blue to pale sky blue, to variations of aqua or blue-green.Unlike emerald, most faceted aquamarines are eye-clean and without inclusions. Aquas with visible inclusions or semi-transparency are usually fashioned into cabochons or beads. These cuts can range from eye-clean to a milky quality and some rare translucent aquamarines are known to produce an optical trait which resembles the slit-eye of a cat.
Moss aquamarine is a fairly new gemstone name that we've been seeing. It is a blue-green to green-blue to pale green beryl family member prized for its interior inclusions.
For centuries, the Aquamarine has been a symbol of hope, health, fidelity, and youth. It is closely associated with the sky and water, and as a result is said to embody eternal life. In ancient Rome, people believed they washed ashore, and that their origins were jewel chests that belonged to the river god Achelous. Similarly, sailors (even to this day) use them as protection against perils of seafaring. Romans also believed they possessed medicinal powers, and used them to cure ailments of the liver, stomach, throat, and jaws. They were believed to be an antidote against poison during the middle ages, and their medicinal power was revitalized much later by Germans, who fabricated eyeglasses for nearsightedness out of this precious mineral. Today, Aquamarine is a popular anniversary gift, because it is believed to have a soothing influence on marriages.
Gifting Aquamarine: Aquamarine is always a perfect birthstone for a March baby, but it is also the customary 19th wedding anniversary gift.
Origin: The largest provider of Aquamarine is Brazil. Pakistan, Afghanistan, Russia, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Mozambique and other countries are also sources of aquamarine mines. Some sources here in the US can be found in Colorado, Maine and North Carolina.
Aquamarine Care: With a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale this March birthstone is durable enough for everyday wear. Caring for the gem is easy. Use warm water, mild dish soap and a toothbrush to scrub behind the birthstone where dirt can collect. Ultrasonic cleaners and steam cleaning are usually safe options as long as there are no fractures or liquid inclusions in the gem.