March babies are the lucky ones. They get all the gemstones.

There are, all in all, five or more stones that represent birthstones in March, the third month of the year. Realistically, there are two official March Birthstones which are Aquamarine and Bloodstone. The remaining birthstones are historical and zodiac reference that has gemstone and birthdate overlaps during the month of March.

Official March Birthstones

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is the primary modern birthstone for March, having taken the place of bloodstone in 1952. Aquamarine is also a zodiac stone for Pisces, which falls partly on the month of March. This March birthstone is the blue variety of beryl, which when green is called emerald, and when yellow heliodor. With a moniker derived from the Latin for ‘seawater’, plus a hue and clarity that evoke its tranquil namesake, the aquamarine is the perfect birthstone for March.

Ancient mariners claimed the gem would calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. This March birthstone was also thought to bring happiness in marriage. Beryl was believed to give the wearer protection against foes in battle and litigation. It was also thought to make the wearer unconquerable and amiable, and to quicken the intellect.

Celebrity appearances

Aquamarine is not only the birthstone for March, but the gem is also given as a present on the 19th wedding anniversar. The most famous one was in 1936. The government of Brazil gave First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a dark blue rectangular step cut aquamarine that weighed 1,298 carats (ct). It was the larger of two stones faceted from a piece of aquamarine rough that itself weighed 2.9 pounds (1.3 kilograms). It is now housed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.

Aquamarines are a choice for engagement ring stone for many celebrities. Jessica Biel got the ring set with this March birthstone from Justin Timberlake, Megan Markles wore Princes Diana’s aquamarine at her wedding reception with Prince Harry. Charlize Theron had stunning marquise cut aquamarine earrings at the Golden Globes and Karlie Kloss wore stunning aquamarine gems set into ear drops style earrings at the Cannes Film Festival red carpet.

These days, aquamarines – which range in tones from palest ice and bright turquoise through to deep greenish-blue – would make a beautiful addition to any fashion-forward jewelry box, particularly for those celebrating a birthday this month.

Learn more about Aquamarine at “Aquamarine – The March Birthstone“

Bloodstone

Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is the traditional, as well as alternate modern, birthstone for March. Bloodstone was also the March birthstone in the ancient Roman, Polish, Arabic, Hebrew, and old Hindu calendar. Previous to bloodstone becoming the birthstone of March in these ancient calendars, it was the zodiac stone for Aries and Pisces, both zodiac signs falling partly on the month of March. The ancients seemed to have deeply regarded bloodstone as the gemstone for March.

Interesting lore

A very old legend records that bloodstone originated at the crucifixion when drops of blood caused by Roman soldiers’ spears fell onto green jasper gemstones. From this time onwards this birthstone has been attributed with magical and divine powers.

The gnostics wore bloodstone birthstone amulets to prolong life and make the gem wearer courageous and wealthy. This is what they believed. Greeks and Romans considered bloodstone the gem that brought favors. Egyptians used bloodstone in rings and chose designs displaying rays of the sun – a powerful symbol of worship of the god of the sun. Many European churches have altar vessels inlaid with it.

For those whose birthstone it is, bloodstone was thought to assure good physical and mental health as well as strength. This gemstone was considered emblematic of wisdom, courage and vitality.

Where is it found?

Most bloodstone in the marketplace today is from India. However, the bloodstone birthstone also comes from parts of Brazil, Australia, China, and the United States, among other countries. Bloodstone can be found filling fractures or cavities in other rocks or as pebbles in riverbeds.

Non-Official March Birthstones

Jade

In the old Tibetan calendar, Jade is the birthstone for March. Jade is likewise a zodiac stone for Pisces, which falls partly on the month of March. This March birthstone consists of two chemically unrelated minerals, namely, jadeite and nephrite. Nephrite is more popular for its white variety, which when translucent is called mutton fat jade, and when opaque chicken bone jade. Both nephrite and jadeite occur in green; yet jadeite, which is much rarer and slightly harder, is usually richer in color.

Interesting lore

Several astrologists believe that when signs overlap they share the same virtues hence it may be appropriate for Aries born on March 21, 22 and 23 to have Jade as their astral birthstone as well.

Either stone for March is held to be a symbol of love and virtue

The name jade is derived from the Spanish ‘piedra de hijada’, meaning literally ‘stone of the flank’ , and the same can be said about the word ‘nephrite’.

Centuries before the Christian times, jade had a meaning of the nine accomplishments:

• Charity
• Goodness
• Virtue
• Knowledge
• Skill
• Morality
• Divination
• Rectitude
• Harmony

In the Middle East jade was used as a talisman against injuries. It was believed that jade has mystical powers to help at childbirth. This belief relates to the Babylonian goddess Ishtar who possessed a jade girdle which she took off when entering the 5th gate of the underworld.

Crystal

Aries birthstone – birthdays between March 21 and 31.

Some astrologists believe that when zodiac signs change they share the similar properties hence it may be acceptable for Pisces born on March 18, 19 and 20 to use Rock crystal as their astral birthstone as well.

Rock crystal is a clear and transparent variety of quartz. The name is derived from a Greek word ‘krystallos’ meaning ‘clear ice’. It was considered one of the most magical gemstones. In Japan the birthstone was called ‘sinsho’ and was considered a symbol of patience and was known as the ‘Jewel of Perfection’ and ‘Breath of the White Dragon.’

Crystal was used for making objects of art and crystal balls. Families would gather around the ball in a ceremony of gazing at it in order to seek guidance in path of life.

Some crystals are found with hair-like inclusions. Quartz with this type of inclusions is called Rutile. In France crystals with these effects were called ‘Flèches d’Amour’ meaning ‘Love’s Arrows’. They were also called Pencils of Venus, Cupid’s Arrows, and Cupid’s Net. Rutile crystals were regarded as a charm for beauty, grace, skilled dancing and beautiful hair.

Interesting lore

From ancient times rock crystal was believed to help imagination and opening of the third eye. Charubel, an early 20th-century astrologist, thought that rock crystal ‘is for the pure in heart and those who think of a better life.’

• Australian aboriginals considered rock crystal magical and believed it could help produce rain. In Ireland and Scotland, the gem was used to protect animals. Ancient Egyptians cut hieroglyphs on the purest crystal.
• When Celts found caves filled with crystals, they called those caves ‘fairy houses.’
• Ancient Greeks used the gemstone to light the Olympic flame.
• Crystal is a symbol of the 15th wedding anniversary.
• In China, the gem was highly regarded and symbolized an upright triangle of three suns. It was accepted as a talisman of concentration and perseverance. Chinese emperor Wu highly regarded this gem and built doors and windows out of it to ensure the abundance of light.

Jasper

Jasper is a traditional birthstone for March. Jasper was also the March birthstone in the ancient Russian, Italian and Hebrew calendar. Before the gemstone became the birthstone of March in these ancient calendars, jasper was the planetary stone for Aries, which falls partly on the month of March. This March gemstone is an opaque variety of chalcedony commonly occurring in red, and usually composes the red inclusions found in the main traditional March stone, bloodstone. Jasper is believed to balance positive and negative energy, thereby helping to stabilize one’s personality.

Jasper often falls into or is described in the crystal category.

Gold Siva-linga

Gold Siva-linga is the birthstone for March in the Hindu calendar. This March birthstone refers to a variety of flesh-colored jasper with thick streaks of brown. The March gemstone is a highly sacred gemstone in Hinduism, too sacred that the gemstone is never actually cut to make into jewelry.

You may most likely recognize Gold Siva-ling from Indiana Jones Temple of Doom 🙂

Contact Gittelson Jewelers

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