The Birthstone for March is Aquamarine which is a Beryl in the same family as an Emerald.  Aquamarine is dichroic, appearing blue or colorless as the stone is viewed from different angles.  The mohs scale puts it at a 7.5 hardness. It is almost as popular as the classics: ruby, sapphire and emerald. In fact it is related to the emerald, both belonging to the beryl family. Much more often than its famous green cousin, aquamarine is almost entirely free of inclusions. Iron is the substance which gives aquamarine its colour, a colour which ranges from an almost indiscernible pale blue to a strong sea-blue. The more intense the colour of an aquamarine, the more value is put on it. Some aquamarines have a light, greenish shimmer; that too is a typical feature. However, it is a pure, clear blue that continues to epitomise the aquamarine, because it brings out so well the immaculate transparency and magnificent shine of this gemstone.