March Birthstone-Aquamarine!

Crystal cool waters resemble March babies birthstone, aquamarine. The other, not so well-known birthstone of March is Bloodstone, which resembles strength and health. Bloodstone is a variety of cryptocrystalline quartz and is actually dark green jasper with red inclusions of iron oxide. Brazil is aquamarine’s most important source and has been since 1811. Pakistan is also an important source for aquamarine. China is the leader in production in regards of small commercial quality stones. Aquamarine is almost always heat treated, however it is undetectable and appears to be a permanent color enhancement. The reason that they heat treat aquamarine is to remove an unfavorable yellow color component.

The Basics:

• Mohs Scale: 7.5-8 (aquamarine)

• Mohs Scale: 6.5-7 (bloodstone)

• 19th wedding anniversary gift (aquamarine)

Fun Facts:

• Mariners used to claim that aquamarine would calm waters and keep sailors safe

• Aquamarine is thought to bring happiness in marriage

• There is a 10,363 carat (it weighs about 4.6 pounds!) aquamarine on display at the Smithsonian Institution, it is named the Dom Pedro Aquamarine

• Some believe that the red inclusions in Bloodstone represent the blood of Christ

• Bloodstone has been crushed into a powder and used as an aphrodisiac in past times

• Aquamarine is basically a cousin to other beryl species such as morganite and emerald