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The serenely colored aquamarine invokes the tranquility of its namesake, the sea. In fact, the name aquamarine is derived from the Latin word aqua, meaning water, and marina, meaning the sea.听
The second birthstone for March is bloodstone, a dark-green gemstone flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide. Generally found embedded in rocks or in riverbeds as pebbles, primary sources for this gemstone are India, Brazil, and Australia.
Aquamarine has been linked to water and the seas throughout history, thanks, in part, to听its dazzling range of blue colors.听
Roman听fishermen听called the gemstone 鈥渨ater of the sea鈥� and used it as protection, for safe travel by boat, and for luck in catching fish. Aquamarine was linked to the apostle St. Thomas who听frequently听traveled by boat. Roman physicians also used it to treat overeating and bloating.听
The Sumerians, Egyptians, Hebrews, and Greeks all admired aquamarine gemstones. Beads were discovered with Egyptian mummies. And it was believed that the High Priest of the Second Temple wore aquamarine stones engraved with the six tribes of Israel. Two thousand years ago, people in Greece engraved designs into aquamarine stones, turning them into intaglios.听
Fans of aquamarine like it for its cool and tranquil color.听It鈥檚听the perfect complement to any skin tone or setting.听Aquamarine has little to no yellow in it. This allows it to look great in many听settings with different colored metals and gemstones.听Wondering how aquamarine would look best on you?鈥�Find an 黑料老司机 jeweler near you.听
Aquamarine is a beautiful gemstone to听purchase听for any occasion, especially for someone with a March birthday or who is celebrating or re-kindling romantic love.听In addition听to one of the March birthstones, aquamarine is also used to celebrate 19th听wedding听anniversaries.听The color ranges from听nearly clear听to听a strong听dark blue.听
Like diamonds, aquamarine gemstones can be judged听along the lines of听cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.听
First, look at the听gemstone鈥檚听cut. Since aquamarine can be very lightly colored (and sometimes appear almost colorless), cut is听very important听to the overall appearance of the gemstone and how even or saturated the color appears.听
While you鈥檙e welcome to choose the color gem that most appeals to you,听it鈥檚听generally accepted听that lighter colored aquamarines are less valuable than the stronger, deeper hues of blue or blue green.听
Next, look at the gemstone鈥檚 clarity. Most cut gems do not have inclusions that are visible, and some rarer or more expensive aquamarines are available without visible inclusions, as well.听
Since aquamarine crystals can grow to be quite large, larger cut gemstones are possible to听purchase听if听you鈥檙e听looking to make a statement. Princess Diana had a famous aquamarine ring and bracelet set, and Queen Elizabeth II of England has a breathtaking set of aquamarine jewels that include a large tiara, necklace, earrings, and bracelet.听
While you may not be looking to buy in the 鈥渃rown jewels鈥� range, even smaller aquamarines听make for听lovely solitaires or companion jewels in larger pieces. And, of course, the symbolism or sentiment behind the purchase can make aquamarine jewelry priceless to the wearer.听
