Birthstone Series: Aquamarine

Imagine cool and calming blue tones that remind you of the sea. That is the color range of March’s birthstone, Aquamarine. This member of the Beryl mineral family shares similar properties as emeralds and morganites, such as 7.5-8 hardness on the Mohs scale and large six-sided crystal growth. Once faceted, aquamarines are often very transparent with a vitreous luster.

When comparing aquamarines, the deeper the blue color, generally the higher the value. Most gem-quality aquamarines are in the light bluish-green range with inclusions that are not noticeable to the untrained eye. Heating is a regular and acceptable treatment to improve the color of aquamarines.

Lore states that aquamarines were once thought to calm ocean waves. They were therefore given to sailors as protection during their long journeys at sea.

Aquamarines are one of the few gemstones that look wonderful set in white, yellow, or rose tone metals, allowing for endless design options! Here at Jae’s Jewelers, we recently set a round aquamarine in a rose gold setting for a specially requested engagement ring.