March birthstoneAquamarine - Star of the sea The shimmering sparkle of a sunlit sea, in shades from nearly transparent to deep rich blue - that's the color of the birthstone for March, the aquamarine. Quite literally, the stone's name means 'seawater', derived from the Latin 'aqua', water, and 'mare' - sea. The aquamarine is technically a beryl - the same gemstone classification as the emerald and several other lesser known stones. None are as romantically named, or have the lore associated with them that the aquamarine does, though. Aquamarine, say many ancient texts, was the stone used in the foundation of their sacred cities. The Bible mentions it as the foundation stone of the City of Heaven - and why shouldn't it have been? The sea blue shimmer of the pale stone is as reminiscent of the sky as it is of the ocean. Why shouldn't we believe that the sky is the aquamarine footing of Heaven itself? From the foot of heaven to the depths of the sea, the aquamarine is treasured - and quite literally. Its association with the sea and Poseidon made the aquamarine a particular favorite of sailors and fishermen, who often wore the stone on chains or in rings. It was believed to protect travelers on water, and bring them safely back home to their loved ones, and it's still a traditional gift for lovers who spend time apart from each other. The ancient fishermen went a bit further than wearing aquamarine stones, though. When the seas grew rough and dangerous, many would remove their aquamarine jewelry and toss it into the ocean in the hopes of placating Poseidon and calming the storm. Perhaps too they hoped to attract mermaids with the shining baubles. What mermaid could resist a gem that captured the play and beauty of the sea in stone? To this day, aquamarines are sometimes called the 'mermaid's treasure', evoking the mystery and mythology of cities under the sea built of stone so clear it seemed to be crystallized ocean. Aquamarine was known in Biblical times as well, and there are references to 'sea green beryl' scattered throughout the Bible. Pieces of aquamarine were counted among the treasures of Titus, and the High Priest of the second temple of the Israelites was said to have worn two aquamarines, one on each shoulder, each engraved with the names of six of the tribes of Israel. If he did, perhaps he found that his words flowed more easily when he wore his regalia, for aquamarines are said to enhance communication and loosen the flow of words and voices. More modern texts on crystal healing claim that aquamarine loosens emotions that get blocked in the throat, allowing singers and orators to infuse their speeches and songs with the fullness of their feelings. Constancy, truth, clarity and vision are all embodied in the shimmer and sparkle of the lustrous blue-green stone. Those qualities are said to be enhanced when one wears aquamarines, and in medieval times a gift of aquamarine was a traditional way of healing differences between warring married couples and friends. The aquamarine is a stone of sensitivity, believed to enhance empathy for others and help heal old traumas. When one dreams of aquamarines, say dream analysts, it is always a happy omen, for aquamarines presage plenty, happiness and meeting new friends. In composition, aquamarine is a member of the beryl family, a stone named for its brilliance. It has a hardness of 7.5 - 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the harder stones known. The blue-green coloring is derived from the inclusion of iron in its chemical composition - though it's certainly far more romantic to believe the stone gains its color from the sea and the sky. While many sources will tell you that pure blue stones are more highly prized than those with hints of green in them, the preference depends on the region. European collectors tend to favor the paler, sea foam variety of aquamarine where the play of blue and green most resembles the play of color in the ocean itself. It may be the difference between the coloring of the Aegean and Mediterranean as opposed to the colder blue waters of the Atlantic. Besides being the birthstone for the month of March, aquamarine is also the gem that represents the astrological sign Scorpio, with its crystal clarity and bright glitter. Blue aquamarine awakens feelings of affection, trust, friendship and harmony. It is eternal and changeable, but constant like the sea it resembles. Beautiful and prized for its color, clarity and lore, the aquamarine is a fitting gemstone for March, the month when the Earth reawakens. |
