Aquamarine – Birthstone of March

March’s birthstone is the lovely blue Aquamarine.  Here’s 10 fun facts about this watery gem!

1. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Romans, who named it after seawater.
2. A type of beryl, aquamarines are related to emeralds, May’s birthstone.
3. Roman sailors wore aquamarines to keep them safe and to calm rough seas.
4. Aquamarines were also said to ensure happy marriages.
5. To make a greenish aquamarine more blue, heat-treatments may be used.
6. Aquamarines have a hardness of 7.5 to 8, so they can easily damage soft stones. Still, keep them from away from sapphires, rubies or diamonds, as they can scratch your aquamarines.
   
7. The largest gem-quality aquamarine ever found (so far) weighs around 110 kilos and is almost 19 inches long!
8. Aquamarines usually grow as large crystals and can be very clear. This makes them highly prized by mineral specimen collectors.
9. Because they tend to grow as large, clear crystals, aquamarines are a favorite material of stone carvers, and are often used to make statues and other such works.
10. Aquamarines are also associated with the 19th wedding anniversary.

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