March has two birthstones – aquamarine and bloodstone.

Aquamarine
Aquamarines vary in color from deep blue to blue-green of different intensities, caused by traces of iron in the beryl crystal. Naturally occurring deep blue stones are the most prized because they are rare and expensive. However, yellow beryl stones can be heated to change them to blue aquamarines.
The best commercial source of aquamarines is Brazil. High quality stones are also found in Colombia, the Ural Mountains of Russia, the island of Malagasy, and India. In the United States, Colorado, Maine, and North Carolina are the best sources.

The name aquamarine was derived by the Romans, “aqua,” meaning water, and “mare,” meaning sea, because it looked like sea water. Aquamarines were believed to have originated from the jewel caskets of sirens, washed ashore from the depths of the sea. They were considered sacred to Neptune, Roman god of the sea. This association with the sea made it the sailors’ gem, promising prosperous and safe voyages, as well as protection against perils and monsters of the sea. Its first documented use was by the Greeks between 480-300 BC. They wore aquamarine amulets engraved with Poseidon (the Greek god of the sea) on a chariot.

Beginning in the Roman period, the aquamarine was believed to possess medicinal and healing powers, curing ailments of the stomach, liver, jaws, and throat. During the Middle Ages, it was believed to be an effective antidote against poison. Aquamarines were thought to be the source of power for soothsayers, who called it the “magic mirror,” and used it for telling fortunes and answering questions about the future. It is said that the
Emperor Nero used it as an eyeglass 2,000 years ago. Much later, aquamarines were used as glasses in Germany to correct shortsightedness. In fact, the German name for eyeglasses today is “brille,” derived from the mineral beryl.

Bloodstone
The second birthstone for March is the bloodstone. Bloodstone – also known as heliotrope – is a form of the abundant mineral quartz. This particular form of quartz, known as cryptocrystalline quartz is also called chalcedony. Green chalcedony spotted with flecks of red is known as bloodstone. Found in rocks, or as pebbles in riverbeds, the best sources of bloodstone are India, Brazil, and Australia.

Babylonians used this stone to make seals and amulets because it has been a widely used stone for carving religious artifacts, It was also a favorite with Roman gladiators. In the Middle Ages. Bloodstone was believed to hold healing powers, particularly for stopping nosebleeds. Powdered and mixed with honey and white of egg, it was believed to cure tumors and stop all types of hemorrhage. Alchemists in ancient times also used bloodstone to treat blood disorders, including blood poisoning and to stop the flow of blood from a wound. Bloodstone was also believed to draw out the venom of snakes.

While all of these legends and myths are fascinating to learn of, today, the bloodstone is a unique and beautiful stone in itself.  Personally, I don't find it readily available but would love to use it in jewelry just because of the colors and sturdiness of the stone.

Stay tuned for the next installment of the birthstone series here.  Next month will be about Diamonds!