Happy Birthday March Babies!

Aquamarine, a member of the Beryl mineral family, is your modern birthstone if you were born in the month of March. It is also the gemstone for the 19th anniversary.

The color of Aquamarine can range from a very pale, almost colorless, light blue to a deeper or greener aqua. Multi colored Aquamarine has been sold in many colors including yellow and pink. While those gems are also in the Beryl family, they are more accurately called Heliodor (yellow) and Morganite (pink).

Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin words aqua - for water - and marina - for sea. According to Roman mythology, the gem originated in the treasure chest of mermaids and was sacred to Neptune, god of the seas. They believed the stone would protect wearers from drowning or other perils while on or in the water. Ancient sailors traveled with aquamarine crystals to ensure a safe journey and prevent seasickness.

Since early times, aquamarine was thought to bestow insight, courage, and happiness on the wearer. It was also believed to increase intelligence and make one youthful. The Romans believed that aquamarine would heal ailments of the digestive system as well as the mouth and throat.

It was also thought that this stone ensured a long and happy married life. People of the Middle Ages believed that Aquamarine would reduce the effect of poisons as well as help with a good night's sleep and cure eye troubles.
Is there anything this stone can't do?

The traditional birthstone for March is the Bloodstone, a dark green gem with red flecks. It is a form of silica quartz.

A Christian legend traces the origin of Bloodstone to when Christ was hanging on the cross and blood dripped from his wounds onto pieces of green jasper that were laying at his feet.

As always, you can find more information about the jewelry pictured here on the Hearts Desire Jewelry website by clicking on the pictures.