March Birthstone
: Aquamarine
Aquamarine
is derived from the Roman word "Aqua," meaning water, and "mare," meaning
sea, this pale blue gemstone does indeed resemble the color of seawater.
I ancient Rome people believed that this pale blue gemstone was sacred
to Neptune, the god of the sea, having fallen from the jewel boxes of
sirens and washed onto shore. Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans,
engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at
sea.
The connection
of Aquamarine with water led to the belief that the Aquamarine was particularly
powerful when immersed. The water in which this stone had been immersed
was used heal a variety of maladies.
Aquamarine
is a member of the beryl family. Beryl is a mineral that crystallizes
within large grained igneous rocks on the earth's crust. It varies
in color from clear to vibrantly colored gemstones such as the Emerald
and Morganite. Beryl was used as far back as 2,000 years ago to
correct vision, and it continues to be used today in the manufacture of
eyeglasses. It is a very hard mineral, making the Aquamarine a durable
gemstone for use in jewelry.
Aquamarine
varies in color from blue-green to a light sky blue and is sometimes confused
with Blue Topaz. The majority of Aquamarines, unlike other gemstones,
are flawless. This stone is found in abundance worldwide, with the
largest deposits being in Brazil. Other sources of Aquamarine can be found
in China, India, Australia, Africa, and the United States.
Aquamarine
is thought to symbolize both safety and security, especially within long
standing relationships. Some people even say that the Aquamarine
reawakens love in a tired marriage, so if you want to bring back that
spark in your partner's eyes, you might consider this gem as an anniversary
gift!
Alternate
Birthstone
An alternate birthstone for March is Bloodstone, a dark green opaque quartz
flecked with red spots. The name Bloodstone derives from the legendary
belief that the red coloration resulted from the blood of Christ spilling
onto green jasper during the crucifixion. For this reason, too,
the stone has been called "martyr's stone." Bloodstone is found
in several locations including India, Brazil, Uruguay, Australia, and
the United States. This stone is commonly used for carving into cameos
and beads, and this stone is believed to symbolize courage.
Please
check here
to view our selection of simulated and genuine Aquamarine items
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