March Birthstone - Aquamarine
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Aquamarine fact file
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Crystal Structure: hexagonal
Chemical Composition: Beryl - Beryllium Aluminum Silicate ( Be3Al2(Si16O18) )
Hardness: 7.2 to 8 MOHS
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Refractive Index: 1.57-1.59
Colors: Pale blues, light blues, yellowish blues, green, greenish-blue
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Aquamarine and Bloodstone are the March birthstones.Aquamarine, the friendly
charm of mariners and mermaids, comes in as many shades of blue as you get to see
on the seas.
Sometimes, just like at sea, there are flashes of green too.
Aquamarine is believed to have a soothing effect and is a favorite anniversary
gift.Bloodstone, or Green Jasper, has for long been the birthstone of March.
Its rarity these days in suitable sizes led to its being replaced by Aquamarine
on the birthstone list. Chemically a chalcedony quartz, the presence of iron
oxide causes appearance of bright red spots. Finely powdered bloodstone is used
as a medicine and aphrodisiac
Name
The Romans gave this march birthstone its name - aqua for water and marine for sea.
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