March's Birthstone Spotlight: Aquamarine
March marks the transition from winter to spring, a season of renewal, clarity, and light. The cool, calming blue of aquamarine mirrors the melting ice and brightening skies, making it an especially poetic birthstone for those born in this month. Whether fashioned into a delicate pendant or a bold cocktail ring, aquamarine offers timeless beauty with a story that spans centuries.
Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral Beryl and is a part of the same family as emerald. While emerald gleams green, aquamarine spans a spectrum from pale icy blue to deep ocean teal. Throughout history, it has symbolised calm, clarity, and communication, as well as protection for travellers and harmony in marriage. Ancient sailors believed the stone was a gift from mermaids and therefore carried it as a talisman to ensure safe voyages. In medieval times, it was thought to rekindle love between married couples and safeguard them from harm. Even today, aquamarine remains a popular gift for March birthdays and the nineteenth wedding anniversary, celebrated for its enduring association with peace and courage.
Above: 'Hammered Disc & Aquamarine Array Earrings', and 'Single Aquamarine Dewdrop Chain Bracelet'
The story of aquamarine jewellery stretches back more than two millennia. In ancient Rome, the gemstone was carved into intaglios and amulets, believed to absorb the energy of young love and reconcile couples. Roman fishermen often wore aquamarine talismans engraved with Neptune to protect them at sea. During the Middle Ages, the stone was also used in crystal balls for fortune-telling, thought to provide foresight and protection from poison, a real concern in royal courts.
Above: '18k Bespoke Teal Cascade Ring'
Aquamarine rose to particular prominence in European royal circles. One of the most famous modern examples is the Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara, presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 by the President of Brazil. The suite, which includes a matching necklace, features large, vividly blue aquamarines, highlighting the exceptional quality of Brazilian gemstones. Brazil remains a leading source of aquamarine, producing stones of remarkable clarity and size.
The gemstone also enjoyed a renaissance during the 1920s and 1930s, when the Art Deco movement embraced its clean, icy blue hue. Its clarity was ideal for the bold, geometric cuts popular at the time, and aquamarine paired beautifully with platinum and diamonds. Large stones were more affordable than comparably sized diamonds, making aquamarine a glamorous yet attainable choice for statement rings and necklaces.
Above: 'Hammered Disc & Aquamarine Array Earrings', 'Aquamarine Orissa Bracelet', and 'Single Aquamarine Dewdrop Chain Bracelet'
In contemporary jewellery, aquamarine continues to captivate designers and collectors alike. It is durable, with a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and its clarity and size make it suitable for both understated pendants and dramatic cocktail rings. The stone complements both white and yellow metals, and its serene hue adds a touch of elegance to modern, vintage-inspired, and bespoke pieces alike.
Above: 'Luna White Pearl, Chain and Aquamarine Drop Bracelet'
From ancient Roman amulets to royal tiaras and modern engagement rings, aquamarine has endured as one of the world’s most cherished gemstones. For March birthdays, or for anyone drawn to the tranquil power of the sea, Dower & Hall collection of aquamarine treasures is sure to delight.
