The Birthstones of March: Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Calling all March babies! Whether you’re a fiery Aries or a dreamy Pisces, there’s one thing that unites you all: our incredible birthstones. March is wonderful in that it boasts not one, but two birthstones: the stunning Aquamarine and the powerful Bloodstone, each possessing unique properties in relation to their names. From the mystical history of the Bloodstone to the calming aura of the Aquamarine, these birthstones have captured the hearts of gemstone enthusiasts for centuries. So, let’s delve into the world of March birthstones and discover the magic that they hold in their symbolism, history, and features.
Why does March have two birthstones?
March is associated to two birthstones, Aquamarine and Bloodstone, gaining its association throughout history. While some months are associated with only one birthstone, and others with up to three, March one of the months fortunate to have two exquisite birthstones!
The number of birthstones varies from month to month, each of the gemstones also differing in classifications as either modern or traditional. Modern birthstones, which were officially named by the Jewelers of America in the 1950’s, are more commonly used today.
On the other hand, traditional birthstones are the gemstones that were historically associated with each respective month, dating back to the early 20th century and beyond. Many of these traditional birthstones have become too rare and are not as available on the market in this day and age, and therefore is the reason why some months have modern birthstones that differ from its traditional associations.
Whether you prefer to follow the modern or traditional birthstone list, these precious gems continue to hold a special place in our hearts and play an important role in our lives.
Astonishing Aquamarines
Features of Aquamarines
The modern birthstone for the month of March is the Aquamarine.
The name “aquamarine” is actually composed up of two different Latin words: “aqua” which translates to “water” and “marina” which translates to “of the sea.”
The aquamarine gemstone is a species or variety of the mineral beryl, which makes it a very similar form to emerald. This form of aquamarine gemstone is most commonly found in a light tone and has a color ranges consisting of blue and green. The popular blue hue of this crystal comes from the presence of iron.
The larger and darker the gemstone, the more valuable the aquamarine is.
However, the color of the gemstone is often intensified by the size of the crystal, so the smaller the gemstone, the lighter the color usually is. Aquamarine gemstones grow in six-sided crystals that can be up to a foot long, which allows these very large stones to be cut and polished into many individuals ones of large carat values.
Aquamarine is also classified as a pleochroic gem, which means that the color may look different when viewing the gemstone at different angles. The gemstone can also be heat-treated to emphasize the blue hues while decreasing the amount of green, yellow, and brown colors it may have.
The History and Symbolism of Aquamarines
Aquamarine sources can be found in Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, and Zambia. They were also found to be present in the United States, China, Myanmar, Russia, and Ukraine. However, the main producer of aquamarine is Brazil, which has been an important source for this particular gemstone for the past two centuries.
The aquamarine gemstone was believed to have many properties and powers from many different cultures. Generally, aquamarine is famously known for being a source of calming waves and keeping sailors safe at sea. Here are some beliefs and lore surrounding the gemstone in a variety of cultures:
- In Ancient Greek culture, it was believed that the God of the Sea, Poseidon, actually created the gemstone directly from seawater.
- Other cultures had legends that mermaid tails were made up of aquamarine gemstones.
- In Ancient Rome, fishermen used this gemstone coined “water of the sea” as protection during boat travel and luck in catching fish.
- Ancient Roman physicians also used the aquamarine to treat overeating and bloating.
- In other eras, Aquamarine was thought to bring happiness in marriage.
- In relation to its ability to calm waters, the gemstone was also believed to soothe tempers and prevent conflict in interpersonal relationships, hence its ability to strengthen marriages.
With the aquamarine gemstone being associated with the 19th wedding anniversary, this magical stone of calmness is a great gift for those celebrating their milestones as well as a March birthday!
Maintaining and Caring for Your Aquamarines
Aquamarines score a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Although most amethysts are good for daily wear, they are actually more susceptible to damage than diamonds, rubies, and sapphires.
To put the scale of hardness into perspective, quartz has a hardness of 7 – 7.5 and are present in the particles of dust seen floating in the air and settling on uncleaned objects in your home. These particles have the hardness that is able to remove the polish from your table and the finish from your car. Diamonds have a hardness of 10, which is the hardest gemstone, and the softest includes talc, which is a gemstone that even your fingernail can scratch. These minerals can only be scratched by the hardness level above it, so aquamarine jewelry owners can usually use their pieces as everyday wear.
Your precious gemstones still deserve care and maintenance to keep it looking as sparkly and pristine as possible. Fortunately, caring for your aquamarine jewelry is easy! You can use mild soap in warm water and gently clear it with a soft brush or cloth. Aquamarine pieces can also be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners, as well as steam cleaning machines, as long as there isn’t any existing damage to the gemstone itself.
To learn more about our professional gemstone services, such as a professional clean and polish, feel free to check out a Gemstone Services.
Breathtaking Bloodstones
Features of Bloodstones
The traditional birthstone for March is Bloodstone. In ancient times, the gemstone’s name was actually “heliotrope,” which is the Greek word translating to “sun-turning” or “to turn the sun.”
The origin behind its original name comes from the feature of it turning blood red in the setting sun. This eventually led to the name of “bloodstone” as the red spots against the dark green jasper-like stone resembled spots of blood.
The bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony, a cryptocrystalline quartz. Although the stone is also known as “Blood Jasper,” bloodstone is actually a dark green crystal identifiable by its red inclusions made up of iron oxides. There are two different types of bloodstones: heliotrope (transparent with red spots) and plasma (opaque with little to no red inclusions).
The more valuable bloodstones are made up of a solid green color with vivid veins of red.
Bloodstone gems can also come in many different cuts and shapes, with the most popular forms on the market being emerald, cushion, oval, and cabochons (the most common).
The History and Symbolism of Bloodstones
The bloodstone gem is usually found in rocks or riverbeds in the form of pebbles. They are most abundant in the marketplace from India, but these gemstones can be found in Australia, Brazil, China, and even the United States.
The bloodstone is generally known to be a gemstone symbolizing strength, courage, and youth. Here are some beliefs and lore surrounding the gemstone in a variety of cultures:
- Bloodstones were thought to preserve health and youth, and even increase strength and grant powers of invisibility to its owner.
- This birthstone is considered to be a lucky charm for those who want to increase strength levels, such as athletes.
- During medieval times, bloodstones were used to remove poison from venomous snakebites.
- Bloodstones were known as a stone of courage and also had the power to clear the mind and calm anxieties.
- The bloodstone gemstone was crushed into fine powder to be utilized as an aphrodisiac, and this is still practiced today in India.
- In other cultures, the bloodstone is believed to be a cure to ailments in regard to blood, such as nosebleeds, blood disorders, tumors, and aids in the circulation of blood.
With the bloodstone gemstone being associated with the 14th wedding anniversary, this stone of strength, courage, and youth is a great gift for those celebrating their milestones as well as a March birthday!
Maintaining and Caring for Your Bloodstones
Bloodstones have a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Although most bloodstones, being a type of quartz, are good for daily wear, they are also actually more susceptible to damage than diamonds, rubies, and sapphires. With this in mind, they are great gemstones for earrings, brooches, and pendants, as rings, necklaces, and bracelets, which are more susceptible to normal wear.
Bloodstone jewelry owners should wear jewelry pieces with bloodstone with caution. Your precious gemstones still deserve care and maintenance to keep it looking as sparkly and pristine as possible.
Bloodstones should be cleaned gently with mild soap in warm water with a soft cloth or brush. It is important to avoid bleach, harsh chemicals, and abrasive cleaners when touching up your jewelry at home, including lotion and sanitizer. It is also best to avoid high heat and sudden temperature changes. It is also recommended to not clean your bloodstones with ultrasonic cleaners and steam machines. To avoid scratches, store you bloodstone jewelry in a soft frabric.
To learn more about our professional gemstone services, such as a professional clean and polish, feel free to check out a Gemstone Services.
Replacing Your Missing Aquamarine or Bloodstone
Thinking about restoring a loved one’s sentimental birthstone piece? You’re in the right place to restore their precious memories.
Gemstones provide life and brilliance to any piece of jewelry, yet have the highest potential to damage. Whether it be a loose, lost, or scratched-up aquamarine or bloodstone, we take restoring the life of your treasures seriously. Any gem, any damage, we’ll make your jewelry sparkle as bright as the day you got it.
We have a team of specialists in place to properly source every type of gem needed for your treasured item. We understand your gemstones are unique and require specific attention. Our Professional Stone Sourcing team makes sure that all of your gems, even the ones that sometimes go unnoticed, are replaced by stones of the right caliber for your piece.
Visit our Gemstone Replacement Services page to learn more about restoring the brilliance of your Aquamarine or Bloodstone.
Have Questions?
“If you were born in March, your month’s birthstones are Aquamarine and Bloodstone.
If you didn’t already know, there are some months that have multiple birthstones, whereas some only have one. Traditional birthstones are gemstones that were most commonly associated with its respective month in the early 20th century and even beyond, with Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers associating these gemstones with the star signs. Those that are more commonly known in this day and age are the modern birthstones, which were officially named by the Jewelers of America in the 1950’s.
If you would like to learn more about birthstones in general, visit our Ultimate Birthstone Guide!“
“A basic clean, polish, and inspection is part of the routine care and maintenance needed to keep your jewelry looking like new. The inspection process includes looking for loose stones, bent prongs, and any damage to the metal or stones that need to be repaired.”
“A stone setting repair can be a simple re-tipping of a worn prong (which is considered routine care and maintenance) or the complete rebuilding/replacing of a damaged prong. In the case of severe damage, the entire head of the ring may need to be replaced.
Regardless of whether or not the prongs are compromised due to normal wear and tear or a result of accidental damage, we can provide the routine care and maintenance in order to ensure you do not lose a stone in your setting.”
“The process of a Gemstone Replacement is simple enough, yet requires trained eyes to be able to make a flawless switch. We aim to leave no trace of our work, which means not only will your setting be perfected, but the gemstone we choose will complete your jewelry piece effortlessly.”
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Wonderful post! We will be linking to this particularly great article on our site. Keep up the good writing.
I didn’t know that aquamarine and bloodstone were the birthstones for March, but now I feel more informed and excited to celebrate my birthday month!
We’re glad to have sparked some excitement, we hope you get more into your birthstone jewelry!
-My Jewelry Repair Team