When your birthday is in March, you already know that your birthday month comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. But are you aware that your birth month has not one but two distinct yet equally beautiful birthstones?
Suppose you’re one of the many people born in March. You can choose either the brilliant aquamarine or the mysterious bloodstone as the birthstone to call your own. Both have their own unique charm and attractive characteristics. Regardless of your selection, aquamarine and bloodstone will make you cherish your March birthright.
Aquamarine: The Spirit of the Sea
Without knowing anything about aquamarine, anyone who looks at it will probably relate it to one image above all else—the beauty and majesty of the ocean near a white sand beach. This gem has a serene, oceanic blue coloration. It’s fitting that its name is derived from the Latin terms for “water” (aqua) and “the sea” (marina).
The gem’s beautiful coloration is so evocative of the sea; the ancient Romans believed that the aquamarine would be a good luck charm for sailors during long sea voyages.
Later, Western cultures came to see aquamarine as symbolizing healing, calm, happiness, and tranquility, especially between married couples—this may explain why it has become a popular choice for an engagement ring.
Aquamarine Comes in Several Color Choices
Aquamarine hails from the mineral family of beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate mineral made from the chemical elements beryllium and aluminum, and iron is mainly responsible for aquamarine’s color compared to its beryl cousins emerald and morganite.
Most aquamarine gems are a peaceful light blue, reminiscent of a tranquil ocean or lake. Nonetheless, their color can range from a darker blue to bluish-green.
Generally, the darker the coloration of aquamarine gems, the more valuable they are. Also, larger aquamarine gemstones usually have a deeper, more intense coloration.
Aquamarine Comes in Several Color Choices
Aquamarine is found worldwide. However, most aquamarine gemstones are mined in Brazil, where the largest mineral deposits of beryl are located. Other countries that produce large supplies of aquamarine are Pakistan, Madagascar, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, India, Russia, China, and the United States.
Natural aquamarine deposits grow rather large — up to six feet in length. Because of the large deposits, gemstones are often fashioned into larger carats that stand out if used in jewelry or timepieces.
This characteristic, combined with its eye-catching blue coloration, makes it an ideal birthstone for March babies.
Bloodstone: Turning the Sun
The serene beauty of aquamarine certainly makes it a desirable choice of gemstone. Still, many people who have March birthdays may want something darker and more mysterious for their jewelry of choice. Fortunately, all of you March babies out there have another birthstone to choose from — the deep, powerful, nocturnal beauty: bloodstone.
Mysterious Coloration of Bloodstone
Contrary to aquamarine’s passive, serene blue, bloodstone has a very dark greenish-blue coloration, speckled with dots of a deep red color reminiscent of blood. These “blood” specks are comprised of iron oxide. However, when contrasted with the greenish black of the surrounding stone, the red coloration evokes a haunting, mysterious effect upon the viewer.
Bloodstone is a cryptocrystalline quartz, a form of silicon dioxide with a minute crystalline structure. Consequently, bloodstone is sometimes called “blood jasper,” as it often naturally occurs as a form of jasper, an “opaque” variety of silicon dioxide.
Bloodstone and the Sun
Bloodstone is regarded as a heliotrope—an ancient Greek term for “to turn the sun”—because of the ancient belief that it has magical properties on the sun itself, affecting the sun’s motion if put into water. This belief likely came from the gem’s reflective effects when exposed to sunlight.
This belief shows how impressive bloodstone’s physical characteristics are to the unaided eye.
Where Does Bloodstone Come From?
Bloodstone is commonly found in Brazil, Australia, India, the United States, Canada, and Europe.
It’s often found as pebbles or in rocks, usually within streams or riverbeds. Due to its natural shape, it can be crafted into various designs, including traditional oval or cushion shapes and more novel ones, to suit multiple tastes and preferences in terms of jewelry.
Quality Standards for March Birthstones
Though aquamarine and bloodstone both have distinct qualities that appeal to different tastes, you need to look at a few key factors. When shopping for the perfect March birthstone for yourself or a loved one, you should pay attention to these “four C’s”:
- Color: For aquamarine, a darker, deeper blue color tends to indicate a higher value. For bloodstone, look for a very dark green — almost black — color marked with deep but distinct red markings.
- Cut: Gemstones can be cut into various shapes, but the most common cuts are oval or cushion.
- Clarity: While aquamarine should generally be clearer, proper bloodstone is more opaque than other gems.
- Carat: Aquamarine of over 25 carats tends to be less valuable per carat than smaller aquamarine of similar quality. Bloodstone’s value is often determined by the richness of body color and prevalence of red on the surface rather than by its carat weight.
Choose Your March Birthstone Today
If you’re a March baby, you already have your choice of Winter or Spring. Now you know you can choose the beautiful aquamarine or the mysterious bloodstone.
Whether you prefer the serene, oceanic tranquility of aquamarine or the profound, magical alchemy of bloodstone, Brinker’s Jewelers has the best variety of jewelry, watches, and other accessories. So, if you or your loved one has a birthday in March, browse our March birthstone jewelry selection on our website to start your aquamarine or bloodstone shopping now! Most designs featuring aquamarine or other colored gemstones can typically also be created using bloodstone, so don’t hesitate to reach out and request your perfect piece today.
