Aquamarine
Birthstone for March
Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin for 'sea water,' and its pale blue-green color has long been associated with the ocean, sailors, and safe passage. It is a variety of beryl, the same mineral family as emerald, though aquamarine is far more common and typically more transparent. The largest gem-quality aquamarines come from Brazil, where individual crystals can weigh several pounds. Its color is caused by trace amounts of iron, and the most prized specimens show a deep, clear blue without green overtones. Aquamarine has been used in jewelry for at least two thousand years and was considered a treasure of mermaids in ancient folklore.
Why Aquamarine for March?
Aquamarine became March's stone because March marks the transition to spring and the thawing of waterways. Sailors considered aquamarine a talisman for safe sea travel, and March — the beginning of sailing season in the Northern Hemisphere — was when they would acquire their protective stones before setting out.