Aquamarine is indeed the birthstone for March, and it’s a beautiful gem with a rich history and some cool properties. It’s a variety of the mineral beryl, which gets its signature blue-to-greenish hue from traces of iron. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin aqua marina, meaning “sea water,” and it’s easy to see why—its color often evokes the serene blues of the ocean. This gem typically ranges from a pale, almost icy blue to a deeper teal, depending on the iron content and how it’s been treated. Most aquamarines on the market are heat-treated to enhance that blue shade, removing any yellowish tinges. It’s got a hardness of 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, so it’s pretty durable for jewelry like rings or necklaces, which makes it a popular choice for March babies. Historically, aquamarine has some neat lore. Sailors used to carry it as a talisman for safe voyages, believing it could calm stormy seas—maybe tied to its association with Poseidon or Neptune. It’s also been linked to qualities like tranquility, clarity, and even courage, so it’s got a vibe of peaceful strength. In the Middle Ages, people thought it could counteract poison, which is a wild flex for a gemstone. Today, it’s mined in places like Brazil (the biggest supplier), Madagascar, and even parts of the U.S. like Colorado. The best stones have a clear, vibrant blue with minimal inclusions, but the softer, milky ones have their own charm. Price-wise, it’s usually more affordable than heavy hitters like sapphire, though top-tier specimens can still fetch a decent chunk of change. If you’re into the woo-woo side, some say aquamarine’s tied to the throat chakra, supposedly helping with communication and emotional balance. Whether you buy that or not, it’s a stunner of a stone—perfect for March’s vibe as winter fades into spring.
Santa Maria Aquamarine is a variety of aquamarine gemstone known for its deep, rich blue color, originally named after the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil, where it was first discovered. This specific shade is highly prized in the gem world due to its intensity and rarity, often commanding higher value than lighter or more common aquamarine varieties. From a gemstone enthusiast’s perspective, Santa Maria Aquamarine can be a fantastic addition to a collection. Its vibrant color—ranging from a vivid sky blue to a deeper ocean hue—sets it apart from typical pale aquamarines, and its clarity is often exceptional, with many stones being "eye clean" (free of visible inclusions to the naked eye). The rarity of this color, especially from the original Brazilian source (which is now largely depleted), adds to its allure. Stones with this hue from other regions, like Mozambique (sometimes called "Santa Maria Afrique"), can also qualify if they match the signature deep blue, but purists might argue the Brazilian origin carries extra prestige. Santa Maria Aquamarine tends to fetch a premium. Prices can vary widely based on color depth, clarity, cut, and carat size. Unlike some gems, aquamarine doesn’t see a huge price jump with larger sizes, but the deeper Santa Maria color consistently drives up demand. Historical examples, like the 1,298-carat stone gifted to Eleanor Roosevelt or pieces in Queen Elizabeth II’s collection, highlight its cultural cachet.
Practically, it’s durable (7.5-8 on the Mohs scale), so it’s suitable for jewelry or display without much worry about wear. Just keep in mind that some aquamarines, including Santa Maria types, are heat-treated to enhance their blue, which is standard and accepted but might matter if you’re after untreated stones.
