March Birthstone: Aquamarine

“In like a lion, out like a lamb” - yet another phrase oft quoted - assures us that weather marching in with a roar, will retreat gently into spring or vice versa. The quote is said to have a couple origins, the latter being my favorite. There’s the astronomical connection where Leo rises in the zodiac and gives way to the Ram in April. That makes sense, right? But I love its biblical connection, that Christ came first as the sacrificial lamb, but will return as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Makes perfect sense with Easter flowing back and forth across the tidal zone of March.

What stone better to represent this tidal zone month of March than aquamarine which, true to its name, captures the color of the sea, ebbing and flowing greenish-blue to bluish-green. It’s a soothing color, pleasing to the eye. A close cousin of emerald, in the beryl family, aquamarine is a six-sided crystal that can be a foot long. The pure blue hue which comes from the presence of iron, showing a hint of green, along with moderate saturation and medium-dark tone, makes the stone most valuable, not the carat. As large stones are found quite often, size does not much matter with an aquamarine. The clarity of that clear blue color is most desirable, but in Victorian times, greenish hues were favored. Ah, the changing tides.

As evidence of this, Meghan Markle now flashes Princess Diana’s fabulous 30 carat aquamarine cocktail ring, made more valuable by who owned it rather than the size of the stone. Curious? See source. 

It is perfectly acceptable according to the gem and jewelry industry to enhance the blue of aquamarine by low heat treatment. This actually makes the gem more salable and is almost undetectable, prompting gem reports to include the statement “this stone may have been heat treated.” Fracture filling with epoxy resins is also an accepted treatment as long as it’s disclosed to the buyer. Flaws in clarity will lower the value considerably. The largest aquamarine can be found at the Smithsonian Natural History Museum in Washington DC. Mined in Brazil, gem artist Bernd Munsteiner chose to keep visible the vertical flaws at the base of this 60 pound gem to demonstrate the beauty in the growth of the crystal. Carved into an obelisk shape, the “Dom Pedro” named for Brazil’s first two emperors, appears to glow from within.

According to Gem Society, aquamarines are quite resistant to scratches and abrasions, with a Mohs hardness of 7.5 to 8, making aquamarine jewelry great for daily wear and a wonderful diamond substitute. As with all gemstones, keep away from harsh chemicals. Clean your aquamarine with soapy water and a soft cloth. It is not recommended to use ultrasonic cleaners and steamers. Since gems vary on the hardness scale, it is best to store separately in soft cloth or fabric lined jewelry box.

And one last anonymous quote for March, a warning, let's say, to those seeking birthstone and 19th anniversary gifts....

March, surprise me!

American Gem Society "How to Buy an Aquamarine"
Canva Stock Photos