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Aquamarine’s meaning, styling, and care
The soft blue Aquamarine, March’s birthstone, is said to be calming, soothing, and capable of lifting a person’s spirits when worn. Learn how to style and care for this beautiful blue gemstone.
Since ancient times, humans have associated gemstones with healing properties and spiritual significance.
The pull to attach special significance to gemstones continues in modern times, with the designation in 1912 of birthstones for each month by the American National Association of Jewelers. Whether you choose a stone for its time-honored symbolism, its connection to your birth month, or simply its color, it’s fun to learn about these traditional meanings.
The largest producer of gem-quality Aquamarine is Brazil; the stone is also mined in several other countries, including Nigeria, Zambia, Malawi, Kenya, Madagascar, and Russia. It’s often heat-treated to intensify its blue hue. HAVERHILL proudly uses both sustainably grown Aquamarines and stones that are naturally mined in Brazil; the gems are not heat-treated.
Caring for your Aquamarine jewelry
Aquamarine has a rating of 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale, meaning it’s durable and appropriate for everyday wear, with a little care. In 1822 Friedrich Mohs created this scale to rate gemstones from 1 (softest) to 10 (exceptionally hard), based on their ability to withstand scratches. Aquamarine can be scratched by gemstones that rate higher on the Mohs scale, including Rubies, Emeralds, Sapphires, and Diamonds. Store your Aquamarine jewelry in its jewelry pouch or box to keep the gemstone from being scratched by harder stones.
Styling tips for Aquamarine
The pale blue of Aquamarine plays well with any number of other gemstones. Pairing it with Moonstone and Pink Opal creates a soft pastel moment that enhances any outfit. Aquamarine and Emerald compliment each other, too – the pale blue and deep green shades really pop when they’re together. The stunning contrast between the greenish-yellow glow of Peridot and the refreshing coolness of Aquamarine creates a captivating visual harmony.
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FAQ
Aquamarines can range from pale to medium blue, and can have undertones of green or gray. “True blue” Aquamarines are very popular, and the stone is often heat-treated to intensify the hue. When creating jewelry with multiple stones, HAVERHILL stone selectors choose gems that match as closely as possible. However, because our Aquamarines are naturally mined stones, they may be slightly lighter or darker than they appear online.
Aquamarine and Milky Aquamarine are two types of the same stone. Aquamarine is pale to medium blue in color, sometimes with a green or gray undertone, and appears transparent. Milky Aquamarine is grayish-blue in color, and can appear opaque or translucent; it’s often shaped and polished into cabochons. Both stones rate 7.5-8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making them well suited to jewelry.
People wear gemstones for many reasons, not just because it’s the birthstone for the month they were born. You may choose to wear a stone because you feel a connection to the color, because its traditional meaning resonates with you, or because it reminds you of someone you love, such as a child, friend, or loved one who’s passed away. Jewelry is extremely personal and you should feel free to wear any gemstone that speaks to you.