Anna GionetAquamarine is the beautiful March birthstone and our featured gemstone this month. With its healing qualities, rich mythology, and unique color, Shane Co.’s high-quality aquamarine jewelry makes the perfect birthday gift for her. Find out more about this gemstone’s history and mystical properties and start shopping Shane Co.’s exclusive aquamarine collection below.
What is aquamarine?
The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word “aqua marina,” which means “sea water.” This makes it the perfect Pisces birthstone, reminding its wearers of the water-loving fish in which this zodiac is embodied. As a semiprecious member of the beryl family, aquamarine is closely related to emerald and morganite and shares many similarities to golden beryl. Its distinct color and clarity match its name — with shades ranging from seafoam green to teal and light blue, it resembles the ocean in its appearance. Aquamarine is especially prized for its clarity, having little to no inclusions in most stones.
The clear nature of aquamarine makes it a great stone for faceting. With a rating of 7.8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s tough enough to be durable but still soft enough to accommodate a wide variety of gemstone cutting styles and shapes. It’s not unusual to find aquamarine in a variety of hues, making every aquamarine ring, necklace, or other piece unique to the wearer. Most aquamarine is mined in Brazil or Colombia, but it can also be found in Kenya, Zambia, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Russia. It’s even found in the snowy peaks of Mount Antero and White Mountain in the Colorado Rocky Mountain range. In fact, aquamarine was named the official state gemstone of Colorado in 1971! For that reason and many others, it holds a special place in our hearts.
Did you know?
The world’s largest cut aquamarine currently sits in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It was cut from a huge aquamarine stone found in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. Weighing a grand total of 10,363 carats, the stone features wide cuts in the back to create the illusion that the crystal is glowing from within. It was named the Dom Pedro after Brazilian emperors Pedro I and Pedro II.
History and mythology
Aquamarine has been a popular stone in jewelry making for about as long as humans have known about it. Decorative jewelry and protective aquamarine amulets have been found dated as far back as 500 B.C.
The Romans used aquamarine frequently in their jewelry, even giving it as a wedding gift to their brides. They believed it promoted feelings of happiness, youthfulness, wisdom, and stability, promising newlyweds a long-lasting and happy marriage. During the Middle Ages, its relationship-related properties were cited as having the ability to reawaken the love of married couples. It was also believed, like its Neptune-ruled Pisces counterparts, to have mystical properties that helped in developing fortune-telling skills. It was often cut into crystal balls and adopted by psychics and seers.
Notably, it is used to help its wearers get in touch with suppressed emotions, heal emotional trauma, and clear the mind. For this reason, it’s celebrated as a powerful meditation tool, with believers saying that it leads the meditator to his or her “core spirituality.” Just like the body of water it’s named for, this incredible stone calms the heart and encourages clarity.
Aquamarine was also used to protect sailors during their journeys across the ocean. The story goes that Neptune, god of the sea, took hold of the stone when it fell out of a siren’s jewel box and washed up on shore. Seamen would wear the stone throughout their trips to ensure safe passage through the choppy waters.
Did you know?
After Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996, the beloved princess wore an Art Deco-style emerald cut aquamarine and diamond ring on her engagement hand. She had a matching bracelet to go with it and, for many, the ring exemplified Diana’s impeccable taste and independent spirit. The sparkling blue ring matched Diana’s trademark eyes and symbolized her courage as she embarked on a new life journey. The large aquamarine stone is estimated to be worth around £75,000 in today’s market, but its historic appeal and sentimental value is priceless.
The ring was last seen worn by Meghan Markle as she and Prince Harry drove off to the evening reception following their royal wedding. It’s certainly a testament to aquamarine’s durable qualities that the stone remains as polished and flawless as when it was worn by the late princess.
Why aquamarine makes the perfect gift
Besides being a great March birthday gift idea, aquamarine is also the official stone of the 19th wedding anniversary. Whether you’re searching for a traditional anniversary gift like a stunning aquamarine necklace or want to surprise your Pisces girl with a unique birthday gift for her, Shane Co.’s collection of aquamarine jewelry comes in a wide variety of budget-friendly styles.
Unlike many other stones, it comes in a range of sizes, so you can pick from delicate pendants to eye-catching fashion rings and more. It’s also very easy to care for because of its durability. Just gently scrub with a soft brush and soapy water until it’s free of any dirt or grime picked up along the way. Its lower price point makes it a great alternative to traditional diamonds, in both fashion jewelry and even as the center stone of an engagement ring. With its love-enhancing qualities, it’s not unusual to see aquamarine engagement rings, especially with the stone’s trendy color recently coming to light.
Did you know?
An old wives’ tale says that aquamarine receives many of its mystical qualities from the moon and tides — so if your aquamarine ring is showing signs of fading and discoloration, legend has it that placing it under the full moon for a night will renew its energy reserve and restore the stone to its former beauty. While we can’t promise that this is true, aquamarine is durable enough that you probably won’t have to worry about its beauty diminishing much throughout its lifetime.
What makes Shane Co. aquamarine jewelry special?
Shane Co.’s dedication to high-quality jewelry means that all of our aquamarine birthstone gifts are handcrafted by experienced Shane Co. designers. Every stone is hand-picked based on sparkle and beauty. We source only natural stones, not lab-created, so you’ll find a wide variety of colors and hues in our aquamarine collection. With customization options like engraving, you can create a unique birthday or anniversary gift highlighting the inherent beauty of this incredible gemstone.
Whether you choose to shop online or visit your nearest Shane Co. store, our non-commissioned, no-pressure team will be happy to help you pick out the perfect gift. All online orders come with free 2-day shipping, anywhere in the U.S., as well as our 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Of course, we offer a Free Lifetime Warranty on almost all Shane Co. purchases, because we believe in creating jewelry that truly lasts forever. Still looking for gift ideas? Check out these unique aquamarine options.
Necklaces
Choose from vintage-style oval shapes and traditional round or pear-shaped pendants with our extensive collection of aquamarine necklaces. With diamond accents and updated classics like this Aquamarine & Diamond Pendant, we know you’ll find a gorgeous piece to grace any neckline.
Earrings
Aquamarine’s expansive size range makes it easy for the expert designers at Shane Co. to craft distinctive earrings made just for her. Check out these Aquamarine Stud Earrings for a hint of sparkle, or stand out from the crowd with our Infinity Aquamarine Earrings. No matter what you choose, she’ll love her heartfelt birthstone gift.
Rings
In classic 14k white gold and sterling silver, as well as standout yellow gold and Shane Co.’s signature shade of rose gold, find a sparkling ring for any occasion with the help of this versatile gemstone. Make it the star of the show with simple and stunning looks, such as this Aquamarine and Diamond Ring, or enhance its striking qualities with hand-picked gemstone accents.
Bracelets
Give her a meaningful gift with Shane Co.’s selection of bracelets. With plenty of options to choose, from you’re sure to find the perfect gift! Need an idea? This Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond Bracelet is a wearable, sparkling delight.
Rachel Nipp
Anna Gionet