MARCH BIRTHSTONE: AQUAMARINE.

The modern birthstone for March is aquamarine. Famous for its pure and even blue  colour, and sparkling clarity, the aquamarine has been a valued gem in many cultures throughout history. It belongs to the gem species beryl and thus is closely related to the emerald. The word "aquamarine" derives from Latin and means water of the sea – a reflection on its colour and mystery.

Aquamarine is famed for its stunning clear blue colour, which may display some green tints. The striking blue shade characteristic of aquamarine comes from iron within the crystal lattice. In nature, it grows as long six-sided columns whose colour varies depending on the angle the column is viewed from. Lapidaries cut and facet the crystal to enhance the colour and brilliance of the finished gems.

Apart from its beauty and clarity Aquamarine is said to calm the nerves and soothe anxiety.

The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, displays the famous Dom Pedro gem, credited as being the world's largest faceted aquamarine. It was mined in Pedra Azul, Brazil in the 1980s. It was fashioned by Bernd Munsteiner into an obelisk weighing 10,363 carats and christened “Dom Pedro” after the first two emperors of Brazil.

Aquamarine jewels feature in royal collections including the late Queen Elizabeth II Aquamarine Parure and Princess Diana’s spectacular cocktail ring gifted to Meghan Markle by Prince Harry at their wedding.

If you are lucky enough to have a March birthday celebrate with an aquamarine piece of your choice. You could consider having a unique item designed and custom made for you by Master Jeweller Wade Lavery at https://tcityjewelers.com/