| If you're still young enough to remember your | | | | Neptune retrieved it after it fell from the |
| birthday, you probably also remember the | | | | jewel boxes of sirens and washed onto shore. |
| special birthstone assigned to it. But at | | | | Early sailors wore aquamarine talismans, |
| your age, we bet you don't really know the | | | | engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as |
| SIGNIFICANCE of your birthstone and what | | | | protection against dangers at sea. |
| power the ancients felt would be bestowed | | | | |
| about you by wearing it. | | | | The association with water led to the belief |
| | | | that the Aquamarine was particularly powerful |
| March Birthstone: Aquamarine Birthstone | | | | when immersed. Water in which this gemstone |
| Properties: Bestows courage, insight, and | | | | had been submerged was used in ancient times |
| victory Alternative Birthstone: Bloodstone | | | | to heal a variety of illnesses of the heart, |
| | | | liver, stomach, mouth and throat. Aquamarines |
| Aquamarine is the traditional birthstones for | | | | were also used to reverse poisoning and to |
| March. It is also the accepted anniversary | | | | aid in fortune telling. |
| gem for the 19th year of marriage. Aquamarine | | | | |
| is mined primarily in Brazil, Nigeria and | | | | Heal Me |
| Zambia. | | | | |
| | | | Many believe that aquamarine helps dependence |
| Water Baby | | | | on drugs, is an aid in digestion, and can be |
| | | | used as remedy for swollen glands and to |
| Created by combining Latin words for water | | | | maintain the health of the jaws and teeth. |
| (aqua) and sea (mare), aquamarine does indeed | | | | |
| resemble the bottomless blue of seawater. | | | | On the non-physical plain, aquamarine is |
| Like Emerald, aquamarine is a variety of | | | | believed to release anger and negativity |
| beryl (a mineral that crystallizes within | | | | replacing them with mental peace and clarity, |
| large rocks on the earth's crust). | | | | providing emotional and mental balance. It |
| | | | has been used as an aid in meditation and to |
| Aquamarine varies in color from blue-green to | | | | assist in self-expression. |
| a light sky blue, and for generations, those | | | | |
| stones containing green are often | | | | A Gift of Love |
| heat-treated to remove this less desirable | | | | |
| color. Surprisingly, unlike other coveted | | | | To dream of aquamarine signifies the making |
| gemstones, the majority of aquamarines are | | | | of new friends. To wear aquamarine brings |
| flawless. As a gift, aquamarine is | | | | love and affection. To give aquamarine is to |
| unsurpassed in its legendary abilities to | | | | offer the gift of knowledge, foresight and |
| preserve and enhance mutual love, to ensure | | | | individual inspiration. It is a universal |
| truth in relationships and to maintain a good | | | | symbol of youth, fidelity, hope and health. |
| marriage | | | | |
| | | | Ideal for carving into cameos and beads, the |
| When In Rome... | | | | "blue sea" stone is said to aid seafarers so |
| | | | it is a wonderful gift for sailors, |
| Ancient Romans believed the magnificent | | | | fishermen, and everyone who spends time at |
| gemstone was sacred to Neptune, the god of | | | | sea. A a gift of aquamarine symbolizes safety |
| the sea. Some legends say that it was gift | | | | and security, especially within long standing |
| from mermaids, while others suggest that | | | | relationships. |