March Birthstones: Aquamarine, Bloodstone

Aquamarine

Meaning: The Aquamarine symbolizes youth, health and hope. Because the gemstone is the stunning color of both the crystal blue ocean and the clear pastel blue sky, some cultures believe it embodies eternal life.

Name Origin: The Aquamarine name originates from Latin, translated “sea-water,” and ancient mariners claimed that the stone would calm the waters and protect sailors from the devastating storms at sea. Some lore even said that the stone was a treasure of the mermaids and they bestowed it on worthy sailors to protect them against all sea-faring harm!

History: The Romans believed that the aquamarine was a stone sacred to the god of the sea, Neptune. Similarly, archeologists found Grecian stones from 380 BC carved with the image of Poseidon, their sea god, riding on a chariot. Though the earliest reference we have for the stone’s use comes from the Greeks, Egyptians and Sumerians also wore the stone as an amulet in battle because they believed it would ensure victory. In 1936, the Brazilian government gifted Eleanor Roosevelt a large, dark blue, rectangular cut aquamarine that weighed 1298 carats. It is now housed in the Franklin D. Roosevelt museum in Hyde Park, NY. Likewise, at Queen Elizabeth the II’s coronation in 1953 the President of Brazil gave her a set of a necklace and earrings for the occasion. Today, I even heard that ‘millenials’ are substituting the aquamarine for the diamond in engagement rings. As a millennial myself, I cannot vouch for this, (haha) though during my research into this stone I read that Justin Timberlake used two aquamarines for his engagement ring to Jessica Biel. Sooo…maybe?

Sources: The aquamarine can be found in a range of blues, most commonly, as noted above, the color of the sky (or Caribbean/Mediterranean ocean, take your pick!), but there are teal greens and, rarest and most expensive of all, deep blues. Today it is mined mainly in Brazil, but is also found in the dangerously perilous foothills of the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan. The Pakistanis call it the “water-clear” stone. For my Colorado readers, the aquamarine is also mined in Colorado, making it the Colorado State Gemstone!

Fun Facts:

· For a long time, the aquamarine was thought to have a soothing influence on married couples, so it was often given as an anniversary gift. (somehow this makes me laugh…not sure why!)

· It is the gift for the 19th wedding anniversary

· As noted above, the Aquamarine is the state gemstone of Colorado!

· During WWII, a US Navy patrol yacht was named the USS Aquamarine. Some people say this was intentionally symbolic, intentionally invoking protection over the boat in enemy territory.

· The single, largest aquamarine clocks in at 4.6 lbs and is housed at the Smithsonian museum.

Bloodstone

Meaning: Once this stone was thought to give invisibility powers and extra strength.

Name Origin: The other name for the bloodstone is the “heliotrope,” which comes from the Greek meaning, “to turn the sun.” But the term ‘bloodstone,’ is coined by the belief that pattern of the sprinkles of red on the stone represents Christ’s blood from his wounds shed at his crucifixion.

History: In ancient times, the Greeks believed that if you submerged the bloodstone in water, it would turn the sun red. (hence, its name ‘heliotrope’) in 1525, Matteo del Nassaro carved a statue called, “Descent from the Cross” hewn out of bloodstone, and I heard that he carved it so well that he fashioned it to manipulate the eye into seeing the red specks of the bloodstone as blood seeping from Christ’s wounds. During the Medieval Ages, Europeans would sometimes mix honey and egg whites with bloodstone (maybe they crushed it? Not sure…) to cure blood-borne diseases. During its history it was also used for healing wounds and treating anemia. (sense a pattern?) Roman Gladiators wore it into battle. (Hmm… more patterns emerging here…)

Sources: The bloodstone can be found filling fractures or cavities of other rocks or even as pebbles in steadily flowing streams. India is the main source for bloodstones, but the United States, Brazil, and China are sources for the stone as well.

Fun Facts:

· In India, the bloodstone is crushed into a powder and used as an aphrodisiac

· Some athletes believe the bloodstone is a lucky charm and wear it to gain extra strength in their respective sports.