The March Birthstone - Find Out What Astrologists Say About Aquamarine

The first march birthstone, aquamarine's soothing hue conjures up the serenity of its name, which comes from the sea. Most typically have a mild tone, ranging from greenish blue to sea green shades. This semi-precious gemstone is mineral beryl, just like the precious emeralds.

In addition to being the birthstone for March, aquamarine is frequently worn to commemorate the nineteenth marriage anniversary. Because it has no yellowish hint, this lovely gem works well in various ring settings and mimics blue sapphire. You can stud your gem in gold, silver, or platinum metal and add to its beauty with diamonds.

Do you know March has two birthstones? Despite Aquamarine, Bloodstone is another birthstone for March-borns. Although they look different, the two March birthstones stand for power and tenacity. Bloodstone is a deep green gemstone whose transparency ranges from glassy or translucent to solid opaque. It contains reddish specks of iron oxides, notably hematite; Fe2O3.

Though bloodstone is not as beautiful and appealing as aquamarine, it does have unique properties that make it stand out as a birthstone for March. Because of its scarcity, Aquamarine is a relatively more significant and celebrated March birthstone.

The First March Birthstone: Aquamarine

Meaning

The term aquamarine for this exclusively appealing bluish green stone is derived from two Latin words, ‘Aqua’ and ‘Marina,’ meaning water and the sea, respectively. The aquamarine found in the ancient world was regarded as a treasure and a gem to calm and protect mermaids.

Moreover, In Medieval times, mariners also claimed that aquamarine soothes high tides and sea waves and protects people sailing in the seawater. Indeed, this alluring gemstone portrays its name in its color, radiance, and transparency.

Symbolism

Aquamarine symbolizes harmony, peace, purity, and serenity. This semi-precious sea blue crystal is an emblem of renewal and rebirth, the birthstone of the first spring month.  Moreover, aquamarine represents life's vigor, dedication, optimism, and integrity.

Folklore

In ancient times, many folklores were associated with aquamarine's symbolism and healing properties. These are;

• In the Medieval Era, people believed that donning or carrying aquamarine would protect them against the venom.
• Healing practitioners and mystics were big fans of aquamarine because they thought its reflecting qualities might reveal secrets buried deep inside a man's heart.
• Aquamarine was once believed to increase epiphanies when donned while meditating.
• The Roman writer Pliny the Elder claimed that aquamarine crystals were the mermaid's treasure and had natural healing properties and superpowers.

History

In the remote era, Egyptians, Sumerians, Greeks, Latins, and Hebrews acclaimed aquamarine's beauty and healing powers. Beaded necklaces and other jewelry articles found with Egyptian mummies provide evidence of aquamarine's use and appraisal in Egypt.

Roman physicians employed aquamarine to alleviate bloated GIT and bingeing disorders in the medicinal industry. Moreover, powdered aquamarine created medications to treat allergies and bacterial infections. In 1936, the Brazillian Government awarded First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a beautifully cut and radiant aquamarine.

Sources

For 200 years, Minas Gerias- a state of Brazil, has been a rich source of aquamarine. In the eastern geographical regions of this Brazilian state, aquamarine is abundantly found in primary and secondary pegmatite rocks. It is also found in the Karakoram ranges of Pakistan.  Moreover, other aquamarine deposits are present in Madagascar, Africa, Zambia, California, Colorado, San Diego, Myanmar, Russia, China, and Nigeria.

Color

The beautiful hue of aquamarine is because of the light diffracting capability of ferrous iron in trace amounts. The overall color of aquamarine crystals ranges from greenish blue to the deepest sea green shades—the larger the crystal, the more striking the tone.

Care and Cleaning

Caring for and cleaning aquamarine crystals is effortless. You can use mild soap and water to remove dirt and debris from the gem. Moreover, a soft toothbrush might help deep cleaning from the cracks or edges. Nevertheless, if you have gems without inclusions, you can subject them to ultrasonic cleaning procedures.

The Second Birthstone for March: Bloodstone

Meaning

Bloodstone is often referred to as heliotrope, from the Greek verb turning to the sky. This type of cryptocrystalline quartz usually has crimson hematite specks incorporated into the deep green coloration. It ranges in transparency from semi-transparent to opaque.

Symbolism and Folklore

Due to the presence of red flecks in the gem, bloodstone has been connected to blood for centuries.  That is why the stone has occasionally been held up as a remedy for hemorrhages and circulatory conditions. Moreover, it was employed by the Mesoamericans in the past to control blood circulation.

The crystal's association with blood and energy has made it a representation of fortitude. In the past, Egyptians thought bloodstones would help them fight their foes because they made them stronger. Nevertheless, aquamarine is believed to be a lucky charm and an emblem of vigor in this modern era. In India, it is used as an aphrodisiac.

History

Bloodstones have been acclaimed in the past. One piece of evidence is at Louver in Paris, where a bloodstone with the seal of German Emporer Rudolf II is present. The Greeks and Romans utilized bloodstones to craft pendants, amulets, and inscriptions. These blood jaspers' unique qualities make them ideal for jewelry and cuff links and are still admired today.

Sources

The popular suppliers of bloodstones are located widely in India. Nevertheless, other geographical regions with the availability of blood jasper in the inclusions of river pebbles and stones include China, the USA, Australia, and Brazil.

Care and Cleaning

Clean your bloodstone with cool water and mild soap. Do not scrub it and dry it with a soft fabric. Moreover, keep your blood jaspers away from harsh chemicals, acids, direct heat, and sunlight. Use it with care to avoid scratching the polished surface.

Taking It All In:

March has two birthstones, aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine is an emblem of serenity, whereas bloodstone is believed to be a charm of vigor. Therefore, March-borns can choose from these two birthstones and benefit from their healing properties. However, aquamarine is the more celebrated gemstone due to the scarcity of blood jasper.