The stunning turquoise shades of Aquamarine are destined for those who celebrate their birthday in March. Evoking the rich, magical colours of the sea, the March birthstone can vary from having deep green hues to light blue and darker turquoise shades making it a truly unique and magical gemstone to wear. Aquamarine jewellery is a must-have for any fine jewellery lover and its clarity perfectly complements other gemstones like the sparkle of diamonds or the matching oceanic beauty of pearls.
Aquamarine Birthstone Meaning & History
Named after the Latin word for seawater, Aquamarine has become a valued gemstone by many in both past and present cultures. Ancient mariners claimed the turquoise birthstone would calm the waves and keep sailors and boatman safe while others gifted Aquamarine to a bride on the day of her wedding as a symbol for eternal happiness. Romans believed that if a piece of Aquamarine was carved with a figure of a frog, it could serve as reconciliation against enemies and make them friends. As well as being famed today as the March birthstone, Aquamarine is also used to celebrate a couple’s 19th wedding anniversary.
One of the most famous pieces of Aquamarine includes the dark blue rectangular step cut aquamarine piece that was gifted to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt in 1936 during her visit to Brazil. The stone weighed a total of 1,298 carats and an unbelievable 2.9 pounds. The largest piece of Aquamarine to have ever been fashioned however is known as the Dom Pedro Aquamarine, a 10,363ct (about 4.6 pounds) stone which can be viewed at the Smithsonian Institution in Washing D.C.
Where is Aquamarine found?
For almost 300 years, large amounts of high quality Aquamarine has been sourced from the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. The stone is usually found within primary and secondary pegmatite deposits in the eastern portion of the state near the gem centre of Teófilo Otoni. Aquamarine has also been found in Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar and Mozambique in Africa, China and Myanmar in Asia, Russia and Ukraine in Europe and Colorado in the US.
Pakistan also has large supplies of Aquamarine in the Karakorum foothills. Here the miners must climb steep paths of up to 13,000 feet and work on the sides of cliffs to mine the stone. The Aquamarine from this region is famed for being almost transparent and ‘water clear’.
March Birthstone Jewellery
At C W Sellors, we have a fantastic selection of Aquamarine jewellery to choose from which make perfect gift ideas for someone celebrating their March birthday. From dazzling Aquamarine rings to exquisite Aquamarine necklaces and Aquamarine earrings, our selections of March birthstone jewellery will leave you spoiled for choice for that special someone. Get in touch with our team of gemstone jewellery specialists today for help and advice on our range of Aquamarine jewellery.
