March Birthstone

The heliotrope mineral or commonly known as the bloodstone was traditionally the birthstone for March. It is in the form of chalcedony and is a cryptocrystalline kind of quartz. The common green jasper having red formations of iron oxide is known as the classic bloodstone. There are times that the yellow or other colors of jasper are also available, however, these multi-colored bloodstones are called fancy jasper.

The presence of the red formations are supposed to resemble spots of blood, this is where the name "bloodstone" was made. Heliotrope came from different ancient beliefs about the manner in which the mineral reflects light.

Bloodstone is commonly found in India. Other sources are found in Brazil, Argentina, China, and the United States.

Originally, the bloodstone was the birthstone for March, however, today, jasper, bloodstone and aquamarine are all known as the gemstones for those people who were born in the month of March. The bloodstone is used to create harmony, balance, and promotes self esteem.

During the Middle Ages, the red inclusions were believed to be the blood of Jesus Christ, and the stone was known to have miraculous and spiritual powers. People in the ancient times wore the bloodstone to make them invisible. Christians during the Medieval Age used bloodstone to carve out pictures of the crucifixion and martyrs. This is how the "Martyr's Stone" was born. Today, the finely powdered bloodstone is useful as a medicine and an aphrodisiac in some countries.

Aquamarine is considered as the modern gemstone for March. This is the birthstone for the Zodiac sign of Scorpio. Aquamarine is known as one of the members of the beryl family and it comes in a wide variety of color from colorless pale blue to blue-green or teal. Most prized color is the deep blue aqua color. Aquamarine has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs Scale. The beautiful name aquamarine came from the Latin words meaning water and sea.

Valuable and the most rare aquamarines are found mostly in Brazil. However, it is also mined in Kenya, Nigeria, Madagascar, Sri Lanka, Russia and Afghanistan. Today, aquamarines in the market are used as a set stone jewelry and they are able to show the cat's eye look known as asterism.

There are some gemstones that when heated to a high temperature can increase the color and clarity of the stone. On the other hand, aquamarines are heated to change from blue green or teal colored stone to a pure blue and this results to a permanent color.

In the early times, aquamarine was believed to provide the owner the power of foresight, courage and happiness. Early civilization also believed that the aquamarine increases intelligence and make one youthful. It is used to treat anxiety this it was believed to be a powerful healing stone. It is also believed that it has the power to stop the effect of the most powerful poisons.

Birthstones are sometimes used as another name for an anniversary gift that is connected to the person's age and year of birth.
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