March Birthstone
Its gorgeous blue beauty evokes the sea and, unsurprisingly, its history goes back to the tales of ancient seafarers. Today it is best known as March’s birthstone. Here’s the inside story of the aquamarine.
What is Aquamarine?
The name of the stone originates from the Latin word “aqua” for “water” and “marina” which means “water of the sea”, appropriate since no gemstone reflects the cool colors of the ocean better than this one. Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family group of beryllium aluminum silicate minerals that includes morganite, emerald goshenite, and bixbite. It scores a durable 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale but due to its availability in large sizes, aquamarine is valued more for its color and clarity than carat weight.
Aquamarine’s Cool Colors
Aquamarine’s beautiful blue can range from pale light blue to a deeper intense blue-greenish shade. That variation is due to the amount of iron present of which there are two types. Ferrous iron make the stone bluer; ferric iron give it a greener shade. In today’s jewelry market, the bluer the stone, the higher the price as it is the lighter variety that is more commonplace.
Aquamarine’s History & Meaning
Found today in igneous rocks, the aquamarine has been used in jewelry since 500BC. In ancient times, it was believed that the stone protected those at sea. In our times, it is still associated with voyage, calm energies, courage, and believed to help reduce stress. Other than being March’s birthstone, the aquamarine is the traditional gift for the 19th wedding anniversary.
Where is Aquamarine Mined?
Most of this gemstone found in the marketplace today comes from Afghanistan, Brazil, Madagascar, Mozambique, India, China, and Burma. Russia was once a notable source but those deposits were exhausted decades ago.
Record-Breaker
The largest gem-quality aquamarine found to date weighed a whopping 243lbs.
*Please note that all metaphysical/ healing properties are for informational/entertainment purposes and do not constitute advice or recommendation concerning the treatment of physical, mental, or emotional medical conditions. The Jewelry Junket does not guarantee the validity of any of such statements.
