An Amazing Gem: Aquamarine

Identified with the qualities of beauty honesty and happiness, March's birthstone, the aquamarine, is a joyful gem to work with. It is especially fantastic for the spring because it's lightness lends itself to very airy and delicate designs.

Aquamarine is naturally found in Brazil, Pakistan and the United States. It is a blue green or aqua variety of the mineral beryl, which includes also emeralds, morganite and heliodor. The most desirable color is a deep blue aqua color, although it ranges from colorless pale blue to deep blue-green or teal. It is commonly associated with the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, and is mentioned historically as long ago as the Bible.

The hardness of the aquamarine makes it an ideal gem to work with, and its light blue color is perfect for when the harshness of some other gems (I wont name names LOL) would otherwise distract from the piece that I am designing. It is very much so a delicate, feminine gem, and you can see in the exquisite piece below, I love working with it for high fashion pieces.

Aquamarine is not only the modern birthstone for march. It is also the traditional gift for 16th and 19th wedding anniversaries. Since early times, it was believe that this gem could protect travelers, endow the wearer with foresight, increase intelligence and make one youthful. As a healing stone, it is used in the treatment of anxiety, and was once believed (in the Middle ages; don't try this a home people) to reduce the effect of poisons.

It used to be that sailors wore aquamarines to keep them sane and prevent sea sickness. That's all very well, but like I said, I love working with aquamarine because it does lend itself to very glamorous and traditionally feminine, yet sexy pieces. What do you think of March's birthstone? Are you a March baby yourself?

Love Always

Dani K