March Birthstone: Aquamarine

Latin for seawater, the Aquamarine gemstone was used as a talisman among ancient mariners for safety at sea. Mined primarily in Brazil and Pakistan, the Aquamarine has a hardness of 7.5-8 on the Mohs Scale and is generally well-suited for everyday wear. March babies find themselves in esteemed company with Eleanor Roosevelt, who was gifted one of the largest Aquamarine stones on record.

During a trip to Rio de Janeiro in 1936, the First Lady received a gorgeous 1,298 carat Aquamarine from Brazilian President Getúlio Vargas. The gem was one of two cut from a stone weighing almost three pounds-- the other 865 carat gem sold to the Maharaja of Kapurthala. Although thicker, the Roosevelt gem is just under the size of an iPhone, and now resides in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.