Aquamarine – March’s Birthstone

APPEARANCE

Aquamarine is actually a bluish-green variety of the mineral beryl. Pure beryl is a transparent mineral consisting of aluminum and beryllium. But when iron finds its way into beryl’s crystal structure, the resulting range of colors equals that of the sea. This is the gemstone we know as Aquamarine.

In fact, the name Aquamarine is derived from the word “seawater”: 'aqua' (Latin for water) and 'mare' (Latin for sea).

With colors ranging from a pale blue to a deep sea-blue, it is the clearest, most saturated blue color of Aquamarine that is the most desired and the most valuable.

HISTORY

In ancient times the Aquamarine was believed to have come from a mermaid’s treasure chest and was thus considered by both the Romans and the Greeks as a lucky stone for sailors. The Romans believed the stone brought about both cheerfulness and friendliness and was considered to ensure a happy marriage as well as to promise health, prosperity and clearness of mind.

MODERN TIMES

Because of its range of potentially intense colors, its scarcity of inclusions and its hardness, many jewelry designers regard the Aquamarine as their favorite gemstone. Bearing a Mohs’ Hardness rating of 7.5 to 8, Aquamarine is quite hard, and thus resists scratches and maintains an exceptional, transparent shine. It is also the birthstone for the month of March and is used to celebrate both the sixteenth and nineteenth wedding anniversaries. The most popular cuts are the brilliant cut and the emerald cut, though many modern artistic cuts are showing up in Aquamarine jewelry in recent times.

All Landstroms Gold and Silver Black Hills Mothers Rings are available with Aquamarine gemstones.