March Birthstone Beads

March birthstone beads: aquamarine in pale sea blue, the modern stone of the month, and bloodstone in dark green flecked with red, the traditional one. The two could hardly look less alike, which gives March jewelry a choice between a light, watery blue and a deep forest green. Aquamarine is blue beryl, hard at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and cut here in smooth rounds, faceted rondelles and microfacets; bloodstone is a chalcedony, cut mostly in smooth and matte rounds. In metaphysical belief aquamarine is associated with calm and courage, the sailor's stone, and bloodstone with strength and endurance. The full ranges are on the aquamarine and bloodstone pages.