Aquamarine tell-all! Read about the March birthstone

Aquamarines have the cool depths of the sea

As winter begins to fade, the aquamarine brings a brilliant warmth as March’s birthstone — and the traditional gift for a 19^th wedding anniversary. And just as March’s zodiac sign, Pisces, centers around fish, in the words of the Gemological Institute of America, the “aquamarine’s fresh watery hue is a cool plunge into a refreshing pool.”

First-cousin to the emerald

The aquamarine is a form of beryl — the same family as the emerald. It’s durable and hard, which makes it a good choice for rings, pendants, and larger jewelry pieces.

• Like seawater, an aquamarine can range from light aqua to dark, deeply saturated blue.
• Its color comes from amounts of iron that are captured in the stone.
• The most desired is dark and deeply saturated blue.
• The largest find of gemstone quality aquamarine was in 1910 when a mine in Marambaya, Brazil, unearthed a 243 pound specimen.
• The largest cut aquamarine gem is housed in the National Museum of Natural History.

A beautifully cut aquamarine

Under the sea…

With its clear blue depths, it’s easy to understand that the aquamarine was named from the Latin for “seawater.” In fact, it was believed that aquamarines came from mermaids, so they were carried by sailors as a talisman to keep them safe. It is also believed to be a healing stone.

What to look for

Aquamarines should be clear, without noticeable inclusions. Blue stones are generally more expensive than their green counterparts, but blue/green is even more desirable. Because the stone is resistant to easy fractures, you can find it cut into a variety of shapes. Note: Blue topaz can look very similar to aquamarine but it is a less-expensive stone. “Brazilian aquamarine” can refer to a heat-treated blue topaz, and “Siam aquamarine” is often blue zircon, so make sure you’re getting a genuine aquamarine if you see those terms.

March birthday babies, we wish you happiness! Your beautiful aquamarine will keep you close to the mysteries of the sea. And if I can help you uncover the mysteries of your gemstones with an appraisal, please let me know.

Brilliantly yours,

Aimee