Meet the March Birthstone "Aquamarine"

Aquamarine is the birthstone for the month of March.

This stunning stone has historically been used as a symbol for youth and happiness due to it's gorgeous color which has also, along with its name, made Western culture connect it with the ocean. Ancient Romans believed that aquamarine could protect people who are travelling across the sea, they also used aquamarine to prevent illnesses.

Aquamarine is a common gemstone. It is a pale-blue to light-green variety of beryl. The color of aquamarine can be changed by heat and has a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs Scale. While aquamarine often contains no inclusions, it can have them.

The value of aquamarine is determined by its weight, color, cut, and clarity. Due to its relative abundance, aquamarine is comparatively less expensive than other gemstones within the beryl group, such as emerald, but is typically more expensive than similarly colored gemstones such as blue topaz. Naturally occurring blue hued aquamarine specimens are more expensive than those that have undergone heat treatment.

The healing properties of aquamarine are to soothe anxiety, encourage deep meditation, balance hormones, and support physical wellness, especially related to the throat and eyes.

Warm soapy water is always a safe cleaning method for aquamarine. Using an ultrasonic or steam cleaners is usually safe unless the stone has liquid inclusions or fractures.