March
Aquamarine takes its name from seawater, and is the birthstone of March. Learn where it is mined, the famous stones cut from it, and what it is said to do.
The birthstone of the month of March - aquamarine, tarshish
Those born in March love the sea. Aquamarine, the birthstone of the month of March, recalls the color of seawater and comes from mines deep in the earth. The blue aquamarine is a gemstone blessed with various virtues. The Hebrew name of aquamarine is tarshish, and it is one of the breastplate stones of the High Priest.
The origin of the name aquamarine
The name aquamarine originates in the Latin word for "seawater", and its name derives from the azure-green color of the stone.
The aquamarine in Judaism
In Jewish tradition the tarshish stone is one of the breastplate stones of the High Priest. According to Midrash Talpiyot (the book of Rabbi Eliyahu HaKohen of the 17th–18th century who lived in Izmir, Turkey), this stone was blessed with various virtues, among them the healing of shortness of breath and a contribution to understanding.
Rabbeinu Bachya, who lived in the fourteenth century, explains that the aquamarine is assigned to the tribe of Asher, which was a tribe of farmers and settled in the north-west of the Land of Israel, the region from today's city of Haifa as far as the city of Sidon, and was engaged in growing olive trees. The aquamarine stone was therefore attributed to the tribe because its color recalls the blue-green color of olives and oil.
"The virtue of this stone is to digest food, and whoever grinds it and mixes it into his food becomes stout and fat." And this is what is written: "As for Asher, his bread shall be fat" (Genesis 49:20).
Rashi explains: "Food that comes from the portion of (the tribe of) Asher shall be rich, for there shall be abundant olives in his portion, and he draws oil like a spring. And so Moses blessed him: and let him dip his foot in oil."
Properties and healing virtues of the aquamarine
The ancients believed that the aquamarine symbolized the spirit of hope and the promise of a better future, in addition to eternal love and valor. In the Middle Ages it was believed that the aquamarine assisted foresight and the treatment of eye problems. Its color made it a symbol of happiness and youth, and it was even used as an amulet against accidents.
The aquamarine was also known as the "stone of eternal life", and was therefore considered a stone that brings good fortune to its owner. Some held that it improves the power of expression and soothes the area of the throat and the eyes.
Historical background of the aquamarine
In the Roman period, jewelry design also focused on matching the color of the gemstones to the person wearing the piece. Goldsmiths of this period often used aquamarine to depict the sea gods, and used aquamarine because of the gemstone's name and color.
In the Middle Ages the stone was called a "magic mirror", and fortune-tellers used it to foretell the future.
In the official coronation crown of the kings of England, "St Edward's", which is set with 444 gemstones and diamonds, a large aquamarine stone is also set, and this crown is counted among the treasures of the jewels of the kings of England.
Around the year 1600, King Leopold I of Austria acquired a large aquamarine stone weighing 492 carats.
There is also an account of an enormous aquamarine stone weighing 1,650 carats, which belonged to the military order in Portugal when they ruled Brazil.
At Napoleon's coronation ceremony in 1804, the leader of France was dressed in ceremonial garments which included a clasp set with aquamarine stones, holding his cloak.
The aquamarine was especially favored by the queen of Russia, the Empress Catherine the Second.
Legends about the aquamarine
According to Greek mythology, Neptune gave the stone to the daughters of the sea.
The main mining sources: Brazil, which is blessed with aquamarine deposits, Russia, Madagascar, the USA, Afghanistan, Zambia. Alternative stone - blue topaz, blue spinel
Choosing an aquamarine today
Its soft sea-blue makes aquamarine a favorite March birthstone for rings and pendants. Comparing certified stones from a direct supplier helps you judge color and clarity for the price; Israel Diamonds offers loose aquamarine (opens in new tab) to set as you wish.
