You’re at the right place if you are a March baby and want to know more about your birthstone. Keep scrolling!
This guide will explore everything you need to know about March birthstones. We’ll also answer a few frequently asked questions about these gemstones including:
- How expensive are bloodstones?
- What is a traditional March birthstone?
- Are aquamarine stones light blue?
Let’s get right into it, shall we?
March Birthstones -Bloodstone and Aquamarine
Birthstones History
Birthstones have been in use since time immemorial, especially during biblical times. It At this time, was said that Aaron found 12 gemstones on his breastplate. Ancient cultures believed that only Israelites wore the breastplate.
The 12 gemstones, on the other hand, represented the 12 different tribes of Israel. Based on the aforementioned story, different religions and cultures incorporated the 12 gemstones into their livelihood and items (e.g, charts) to represent the 12 months of the year.
The jewelry industry acknowledges two birthstones only – traditional birthstones and their modern counterparts. The list of modern birthstones added a few new ones but retained several traditional birthstones.
The following is how birthstones are usually recognized today:
- January – Garnet
- February – Amethyst
- March – Bloodstone and aquamarine
- April – Diamond
- May – Emerald
- June – Alexandrite or Pearl
- July – Ruby
- August – Spinel or Peridot
- September – Sapphire
- October – Tourmaline or Opal
- November – Citrine or Topaz
- December – Blue Zircon or Turquoise
March Birthstones
A majority believe that march has only one birthstone. However, March babies have two different birthstones – Bloodstone and aquamarine. The latter is the modern-day birthstone while bloodstones are traditional birthstones for those born in March.
Initially, bloodstone was the only recognized March birthstone. Bloodstone was the only March stone but things changed as aquamarine gemstones became more popular.
In the 1950s, aquamarine gemstones had already replaced bloodstones as the main March birthstone which had for the longest time been the secondary birthstone. Aquamarine stones were more valuable than bloodstones and this saw the jewelry industry happily switch to the latter.
Modern March Birthstone – Aquamarine
The blue gemstone to greenish blue variation of the beryl mineral family is what is referred to as Aquamarine. Emeralds and morganites are more popular beryl mineral varieties. The Latin words “aqua” and “mare” are translated to come up with the name aquamarine which typically translates to water and sea.
The gemstone’s blue color usually equates to the deep blue hue of the sea. Aquamarine is more valuable than its traditional counterpart that’s why it’s sold as the primary March birthstone jewelry piece. Most fine jewelry retailers always market them as faceted gems aquamarine engagement rings and birthstone jewelry.
Aquamarine Lore and History
Aquamarine was discovered as one of the earliest gemstones in the world. Modern March birthstones have been in use since time immemorial. It’s well-liked in the modern-day world as well.
Aquamarine is said to have healing properties for the stomach, liver, eyes, and throat. Plus, it has the power to safeguard sailors at the sea. At first, people thought that wearing aquamarine gemstones can help drive away evil spirits and shield the wearer from danger.
Popular Aquamarine Gemstones in History
In 1936, Brazil’s government gave Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady, a stunning 1,298-carat aquamarine gemstone. Afterward, she used it to make a flower theme designed platinum brooch and eventually made matching earrings out of it. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library has these jewelry pieces on exhibit.
One of the biggest aquamarines ever cut is the Dom Pedro, standing as a tall obelisk. The Smithsonian Institution Museum in Washington, DC, has this magnificent specimen on display. It weighs more than 10,000 carats.
The almost 10,000-carat Hirsch Aquamarine was formerly a part of the Austrian crown jewels. The Vienna Kunsthistorisches Museum displays this massive oval aquamarine.
Healing and Spiritual Properties of Aquamarine Gemstones
The majority of aquamarine’s gemstone applications as a healing gem are usually derived from historical legends. The holder/wearer of aquamarine March birthstones can receive the following benefits from their healing powers:
- Bring composure and calm
- Promotes speech and communication
- Brings clarity
- Wards of doubt and fear
- Increases self-confidence
- Helps with respiratory and throat issues that are usually associated with the throat chakra
As earlier mentioned, aquamarine is a modern March birthstone that’s thought to benefit those born in March the most.
Where Can You Find Aquamarine Gemstones?
Brazil is the primary source of aquamarine gemstones. However, there are other significant deposits where aquamarines are mined including China, Mozambique, Pakistan, Zambia, Russia, Nigeria, and Madagascar.
Factors to Consider When Looking for Aquamarine Jewelry Pieces
Make sure you get a good deal when buying aquamarine birthstone jewelry pieces. There are a few quality factors that you need to take into account when looking for loose aquamarine gemstones regardless of what you’re going for whether it’s a ring setting or a pendant necklace. Let’s dive in!
Cut
The color of the aquamarine gemstone is more important than its cut. However, these stones have some of the best cuts to ever grace the earth to showcase beautiful hues. The method used to cut aquamarine stones is not standardized. Simply put, the gem cutter tends to maximize the gemstone for color while retaining as much carat weight they possibly can.
Windowing can occur when an aquamarine gemstone is cut improperly. The gemstone usually acts like a window to allow the wearer to see through it as opposed to reflecting light back to them. Not only does windowing cause the color to be pale but also results in dimmer illumination.
Color
The most significant part of an aquamarine gemstone is its color along with personal preference.
Premium-grade aquamarine stones are usually medium-toned blue shades with any color modifications. However, you wouldn’t know how these stones look on display in jewelry stores. If the aquamarine gemstone has a relatively high carat weight, its price can increase rapidly. Average quality aquamarine stones feature fairly blue hues with yellow and green secondary shades.
Clarity
Steer clear of aquamarine gemstones that look opaque. This is because a majority of aquamarine stones are transparent to translucent and the latter are usually more valuable.
In addition, aquamarine stones come with minor inclusions, but the majority are eye-clean. Avoid going for aquamarine gemstones with lots of inclusions.
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Carat Weight
Under normal circumstances, large aquamarine gemstones are always more expensive than their smaller counterparts. However, by now you already know that there are many different factors that determine the price of the gemstone.
A light-colored aquamarine stone, 3 carats or more costs up to $100 per carat. Medium blue aquamarine stones, on the other hand, cost about $600 per carat. Lastly, top-color aquamarine stones of the same size can cost more than $1,000 per carat.
Treatment
You should be aware of different gemstone treatments, whether or not it’s important to you. While certain treatments significantly reduce the value of the gemstone, others are seen as normal and don’t have a significant price difference.
Aquamarine gemstones are usually subjected to heat treatment to improve their clarity and color. You can reverse the results once an aquamarine stone has been heat treated. Most aquamarine gemstones in brick-and-mortar stores and online have undergone heat treatment.
Uncommon procedures like dyeing and fracture filling have been used to improve lower-quality aquamarine stones. They are not regarded as appropriate treatments and significantly reduce an aquamarine’s value. They are also not permanent.
Finding a legit source can be quite challenging especially if you’re looking for an untreated aquamarine. However, you can check out individual vendors, local private jewelers, and other gem dealers.
Origin
Aquamarines can be lab created, natural, or treated and natural. Despite the industry’s surmountable efforts to resolve the confusion around synthetic gemstones, most people still refer to lab-created aquamarine stones as synthetic aquamarines.
The term “synthetic” is a buzz kill and I’ve mentioned it several times now. It’s phony! Lab-created gemstones are real gemstones, they’re not fake. However, not all customers are aware of that. The chemical composition, brilliance, and durability of lab-grown aquamarines are comparable to those of their natural counterparts.
However, lab-grown aquamarine gemstones offer other benefits as well including:
- They have better colors than natural aquamarines
- Most lab-grown aquamarines have eye-clean clarity
- They’re relatively cheaper than their natural counterparts
- They come in large carat weights
The value of colored lab-created gemstone variants is not the same as that of natural ones. However, natural aquamarine stones are extremely pricey, so it’s unlikely that you’ll come across lab-grown aquamarines frequently. But you can find them online.
Lab-grown stones aren’t worthwhile in terms of upgrading, investing, or even reselling them. The price per carat for a lab-created aquamarine, with little to no resale value, can range from $20 to $100.
Best Places to Buy Aquamarine Stones
There are a few websites with a selection of loose semi-precious gemstones like aquamarines. Thankfully, Brilliant Earth does. You can view their gemstone report and a 360-degree video of them to check for any clarity flaws.
After choosing a perfect aquamarine gemstone according to your personal specifications, go through the incredible ring settings and choose one that suits your needs. This will help elevate the center stone.
Traditional Birthstone for March – Bloodstone
Bloodstone March birthstone is the opaque cryptocrystalline quartz material. It’s usually described as a dark green gemstone with vivid red spots that resemble blood stains. Average quality bloodstones with red specks are the majority on the market.
Some people refer to bloodstones as heliotrope. Heliotrope refers to bloodstones that display both red hue and a green spot pattern. Plasma is a basic, green-bodied bloodstone with few or no spots.
The word “heliotrope,” which means “looking away from the sun,” it comes from the Greek term “sun turning.” Some people believe that the name was inspired by the way the diamond turned blood crimson as the sun was setting.
Bloodstone Lore and History
According to biblical times, bloodstone was one of the 12 birthstones that were placed in Aaron’s breastplate. It’s also believed that Jesus Christ during His crucifixion stained the green stones that were under the cross, giving them a blood-stained appearance.
Kind of cool, but also sort of gory. Hmm.
Save for its religious significance, ancient Egyptian cultures valued bloodstones since they believed heliotrope had protective powers. That’s why they were used as a talisman or amulets. Europeans, on the other hand, used bloodstone crystals to treat blood disorders like menstrual cramps and nosebleeds.
Bloodstone was one of the stones utilized during the Renaissance to carve different designs in both artwork and jewelry. During this time, bloodstone was a popular gemstone for signet rings.
Healing and Spiritual Properties of Bloodstones
Bloodstone is not a popular gemstone for fine jewelry, but it is well-known among those who believe in crystal healing and the metaphysical world. In addition to its history, the Greeks and Romans believed that bloodstones had many different properties. Some of these magical qualities and bloodstone meanings include:
- Boosting energy
- Balancing emotions
- Promoting spiritual growth
- Aiding blood issues
- Increasing focus and mental clarity
- Cleansing kidneys and liver
In addition, keeping a heliotrope piece in your pocket also helps reduce stress levels as well as preserve health.
Where Can You Find Bloodstones?
India has been the world’s primary bloodstone mining region for the longest time. However, you can find the green gem in different parts of the world including the Czech Republic, the United States, Scotland, Australia, Russia, China, and Brazil.
Factors to Consider When Looking for Bloodstone Birthstone Jewelry Pieces
The factors to consider when looking for the best bloodstone birthstone jewelry pieces are quite different from that of aquamarine jewelry. Although there aren’t many specifics to take into account, it’s crucial to understand how to select one of these two March birthstones.
Color
The bloodstone birthstone is distinguished by its brilliant crimson streaks and dark green body. The red specks are actually red inclusions of iron oxide, often known as hematite, a different mineral. Mineral hematite is frequently found in chalcedony.
An ideal bloodstone jewelry piece should have a body that is primarily dark green with vivid red specks scattered throughout. Bloodstones of average quality have tiny red specks that may appear orange or brownish. Some of the best bloodstones have sizable, intense crimson dots that stand out against the green hue.
Cut
In order to best display its pattern, bloodstone is always cut and sculpted into relatively large and spherical cabochons. Ensure that the dark green stone’s general shape is uniform and free of any ridges, misshapen sides, and other imperfections.
Clarity
Since bloodstone is a dark green opaque gemstone, it is unlikely to have any visible inclusion, unlike aquamarine stones. When choosing a bloodstone crystal, you should inspect the stone for any fractures, discoloration, or lines instead of looking through it.
Carat Weight
You might also find bloodstones displayed in terms of their size since they aren’t often measured in carats. In either case, large bloodstone crystals with vivid red and dark green patterns are more valuable. The beautiful pattern of a bloodstone is difficult to see in smaller faceted pieces and cabochons.
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Bloodstones of low quality with fuzzier patterns are relatively cheap since they go for as little as $20 per carat. Bigger stones with more distinct patterns and outstanding brilliant red and dark green contrasts can sell for around $50 per carat.
Origin
The quality of a bloodstone crystal is mostly determined by its color pattern. As compared to other different locations, India is thought to produce the best bloodstone materials.
Surprisingly, bloodstones can be lab-created as well. This particular variety is uncommon since bloodstone crystals are more reasonably priced than the other birthstone for March.
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Best Places to Buy Bloodstone Crystals
Your typical bloodstone birthstone is probably not available at any fine jewelry stores. Microcrystalline gemstones aren’t sold at these shops either. Sadly, there aren’t many places to buy bloodstone.
You might want to check out any crystal shop within your locality especially if you’re interested in buying bloodstone crystals or bloodstone birthstone jewelry pieces. If there isn’t one close by, websites like Gem Rock Auctions, Etsy and other gemstone groups and shows will come in handy.
Conclusion
Whether you’re more inclined to bloodstone’s earthy tones or aquamarine’s peaceful blue hues, each one of these March birthstones has its own meaning and significance. Both of them would create lovely, sentimental and beautiful jewelry pieces that you’ll cherish for a lifetime.