March Birthstones - Aquamarine and Bloodstone

Choose Blue as bright as the Sea or Bloodstone a dark green with red inclusions. The choice is yours.

AQUAMARINE

Aquamarine gets its name from the Latin word for seawater and has long been associated with sailors and the ocean. It was believed by ancient mariners to calm the waves and protect sailors from harm while at sea. This gemstone was also believed to bring happiness in marriage, and the mineral beryl from which it is derived was thought to grant protection in battle and litigation, as well as to enhance intellect and amiability.

In addition to being the birthstone for March, aquamarine is also a popular gift for couples celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary. One of the most famous aquamarines is the 1,298-carat rectangular step-cut gem that was given to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt by the Brazilian government in 1936. The stone, which was cut from a piece of aquamarine rough weighing 2.9 pounds, is now part of the collection at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Another notable aquamarine is the Dom Pedro Aquamarine, a 10,363-carat obelisk-shaped gem considered to be the largest faceted aquamarine in the world. This gem, which stands approximately 14 inches tall, is on display at the Smithsonian Institution and was cut using the fantasy cut technique by the renowned German lapidary Berndt Munsteiner.

BLOODSTONE

Bloodstone, a type of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz), is a dark green jasper with red inclusions of iron oxides, especially hematite, which is traditionally semi-translucent to opaque. Heliotrope is an alternative name for bloodstone, derived from the ancient Greek word meaning "to turn the sun." In ancient times, this March birthstone was believed to turn the sun red when placed in water, hence its name. Some believed the colour pattern of bloodstone held religious significance, representing the blood of Christ.

Bloodstone is associated with several metaphysical properties, including increasing strength, providing invisibility, and preserving health and youth. Modern believers consider bloodstone to be a lucky charm, prized by athletes and others seeking to build their strength. Even today, in India, high-quality bloodstones may be crushed into a powder and used as an aphrodisiac.

Although bloodstone does not possess the same aesthetic appeal as the aquamarine March birthstone, many people value it for its unique properties. Bloodstones used as gemstones are usually cut as cabochons, although some remarkable examples are faceted.