When it comes to birthstones, March babies have two distinct choices: aquamarine and bloodstone! Let’s dive into what makes these stones unique.
Aquamarine
When you look into aquamarine, it’s like gazing into crystal clear waters–and that’s precisely how it got its name! With hues ranging from deep green-blue to light aqua, it’s easy to see why “aquamarine” was named for the Latin word for seawater.
For this reason, ancient sailors came to believe that it could keep them safe at sea, and aquamarine’s reputation for protection has followed it all the way into the modern era. Not only is it known as a calming charm, it has also come to symbolize purity of spirit and soul.
The two largest sources of aquamarine are Brazil and Pakistan, but this lovely stone is also found throughout Africa, Asia and even in parts of the United States!
When it comes to durability, aquamarine is tough enough for daily wear–coming in at 7.5-8.0 on the Mohs scale–which makes it perfect for gifts meant to last a lifetime and beyond.
Aquamarine is also super easy to clean–just a bit of mild dish soap and warm water will usually do the trick, but ultrasonic cleaners are typically safe too.
Bloodstone
Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is the lesser known birthstone of March, but it has a long and fascinating history of its own. A type of chalcedony, bloodstone is typically dark green with red inclusions of iron, giving it the appearance of being speckled with blood.
Believe it or not, ancient Christians believed this stone held religious significance, as the blood red spots were seen to represent the blood of Christ.
Outside of Christianity, bloodstone was thought to give the wearer strength and youthfulness and is still sometimes used as a lucky charm for modern athletes.
Though bloodstones have been found all across the earth, almost all that is sold today comes from India. Often times it can be found as pebbles in riverbeds!
Unlike aquamarine, bloodstone is quite soft–with a rating of 6.5-7 on the Mohs scale–but this makes it perfect for carving or other unique uses. It can also be cleaned with warm water and bit of mild soap, but extra care should be taken to ensure bloodstone is not exposed to extreme temperatures or scratched.
Though we don’t have bloodstone jewelry on display, we can always order or custom-design a bloodstone piece just for you!
Stop by either of our store locations to see our aquamarine collection or to find the perfect bloodstone piece! We hope to serve you soon!