The March Birthstone-Aquamarine

Etymology, History and Lore of the March Birthstone

Aquamarine's name was derived from two Latin words: aqua, which means "water", and mare, which
means "sea", given that the color of the March birthstone resembles seawater. According to the ancient
Romans, the aquamarine gemstones came from the treasure chests of sirens (mythical creatures who
lured sailors to their demise), that were carried by the currents from the depths of the summer sea, to be
washed up onto the beach, where they were found by lucky prospectors.
The March birthstone was deemed sacred to the Roman god of freshwater and the sea, Neptune.
The association made it one of the most sacred gems for sailors who believed that wearing an aquamarine amulet would protect one from sea monsters and other perils. The Romans also believed that sailors undertaking voyages while under the protection of an aquamarine, would likely have a prosperous trip.

Aquamarine's long-held reputation for protecting sailors from the dangers of the sea has endured into the modern era. During World War II, the US Navy christened one of its patrol yachts the USS Aquamarine, which was most likely an invocation for the protection of the gemstone.The first people to use the bluish green gemstone were the ancient Greeks. Aquamarines from between
480 and 300 BC have been found with the engravings of the Greek god of the sea, Poseidon, riding on a chariot. However, while the Greeks were among the first to record its use, Hebrews, Sumerians, and
Egyptians are believed to have had an admiration for aquamarine and would wear it into battle to ensure victory.

What is the spiritual meaning of aquamarine?

Aquamarine evokes images of the sea - a serene and tranquil picture that can bring calm and peace to an owner, thus enhancing intuition and relieving stress. The stone has been associated with fidelity, friendship, health, hope, and youth for centuries.It is also associated with eternal life, since it combines the color of the sky and that of water. In some cultures, the stone was believed to have a soothing effect on marriages and relationships. This is because the stone is said to foster awareness and communication skills. In fact, this is one of the reasons that has made it one of the most popular anniversary gifts.

Healing Properties and Health Benefits of the March Birthstone.

Since ancient times, the healing properties of the March birthstone have been acknowledged by healers and philosophers alike. The following are some of the healing properties of aquamarine:
Treatment of Eye Diseases

Damigeron, a healer in the second century BC and author of The Virtue of Stones, asserted that aquamarine is good for healing any damage to the eyes when mixed in water and drunk as a concoction.Pliny the Elder (Roman naturalist and philosopher) also praised the healing properties of the stone for curing serious eye conditions. According to Pliny's Natural History, all one needed to do to heal eye conditions was wash the eye in water that held aquamarine gemstones. Modern healers also believe the stone is useful in maintaining eye health. Treating Throat, Jaw and Liver Diseases The ancient Romans believed that the March birthstone could heal a range of illnesses such as those of the throat, jaw, liver and stomach. Modern healers believe aquamarine can be used to cure conditions of the oral cavity. Moreover, it is associated with the throat chakra (the light blue energy node), as the light blue hue is believed to facilitate and enhance singing and speech. It is also believed that the March birthstone is effective in combating fluid retention issues and dealing with glandular disorders. Psychological and Mental Healing

Aquamarine is believed to be useful in treating psychological and spiritual disturbances. It is thought to help calm nervous tension, as well as develop inner tranquility, due to its soothing and calming nature. Aquamarine is also effective for meditation, as it helps to quiet the mind and open it up to communication from higher spiritual planes.

What is the durability of the aquamarine?

The concept of gemstone durability is comprised of three factors: hardness (resistance to scratching), toughness (resistance to chipping, cracking and breakage), and stability (resistance to chemicals, high temperatures, and light). All varieties of beryl (aquamarine's mineral group) have a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, where 1 (talc) is the softest, and 10 (diamond) is the hardest. Aquamarine's hardness and toughness (rated as good), make it a highly durable gemstone for all jewelry applications. However, exposure to high heat and intense light can affect aquamarine's color, and its surfaces can be attacked by hydrofluoric acid, a chemical found in rust removers. Emerald, the sister stone of aquamarine, is usually oiled to fill fractures and improve color, but aquamarine rarely requires such treatments and it is suitable for all kinds of jewelry, including daily-wear rings. All crystals are susceptible to chips and cracks, and aquamarine is no exception; therefore, always take care to avoid bumps and knocks on hard surfaces.

Cleaning and Caring for Aquamarine

Warm soapy water and a soft brush is always a safe and effective method to clean aquamarine gemstones. Steam and ultrasonic cleaners may be used with March birthstones, except in the rare case that the aquamarine has liquid inclusions or fractures. Be aware: ultrasonic cleaners can not only cause and exacerbate fractures in gemstones, they can loosen settings and cause gems to fall out. Gemstones that have been fracture-filled should only be cleaned with warm soapy water. The March birthstone is durable enough to survive the odd bump or knock on a hard surface; however, you should always take care to avoid such abuse. That is why it is always recommended to remove jewelry before physical activities, especially household cleaning or gardening. Due to aquamarines hardness, it is important to protect softer stones from being scratched. Similarly, you will want to prevent scratches to your March birthstones from harder gems (sapphire, diamonds, etc.). Therefore, it is imperative to keep your aquamarine separate from all other gems of different hardness in a fabric-lined compartment of a jewelry box. Individual cloth jewelry bags are also suitable if you have limited space in your box. Another space-saving method is to use acid-free paper envelopes, called "parcel paper envelopes" or "diamond papers", to keep gemstones of the same hardness together and arranged in a parcel paper organizer box.
Glass jars with foam or fabric inserts are perfect for those who want to showcase their loose gemstones and jewellery.