As we break into March (and hopefully spring!) it’s time to focus on the Aquamarine, this month’s gemstone. The name of this beautiful gemstone was derived from the Latin words aqua (water) and marina (sea) and was believed to protect sailors on their long voyages, as well as cool tempers and keep the wearer calm and collected.
Aquamarine is a precious beryl which is often sought after for its sea-blue color in both light and dark tones, and is highly wearable due harness on the MOHs Scale (7.5 – 8) and high luster. Although most commonly found in Brazil, there are deposits of the gem all over the world including the United States, Columbia, Zambia, Madagascar, Tanzania, and Kenya.
Because of the hardness of the stone it’s a fantastic candidate for rings as well as earrings and pendants. The mineral is available in a variety of sizes and shapes and lends itself wonderfully to larger pieces due to very few or no inclusions inside the stone. Blue topaz and aquamarine are often mistaken for one another, but a dead giveaway is always the color of the stone; aquamarine tends towards more sea blue-green and sky blue tones while topaz has more of an electric, neon blue look.
A poem for the March born;
“A March born shall always be, Soothed by Aqua, gem of sea. This mermaid’s treasured stone you wear, Will bring happiness, love, affection and care.”