Today is the official first day of Spring, and we're celebrating with this month's birthstone, AQUAMARINE!   Aquamarines are loved throughout the world because they have a spectacular color, but most people aren't aware of the fantastic history behind these beautiful blue stones! Aquamarines are semi-precious stones, unlike a lot of the jewelry you see in our collection. Most T&H jewelry features precious gemstones, which includes diamonds, sapphires, rubies, and emeralds. Semi-precious stones are typically less expensive, and include aquamarines, amethysts, tourmaline, and citrines. These beautiful colored stones were typically used in war times (especially in the 1940's) because they were less expensive, and bigger stones (like Big Bear, above, which features an 8.66ct aquamarine!) actually exist without being outrageously expensive compared to their precious gemstone counterparts.   The name "Aquamarine" was derived from an old Latin expression meaning "seawater", and rightly so, since these beautiful blue-green stones have an amazing glass-like luster to them. While they are most famous for the breathtaking medium sea blue color we've come to know (and love!) as "aquamarine", the gemstone can range in color anywhere from very light to dark blue with various levels of green.   Did you know? Aquamarines are exactly the same as emeralds in terms of crystal structure, but the only difference is the chemical composition that makes aquamarines blue, and emeralds green! And while most aquamarines are mined in Brazil, they can be found all over the world in various countries like Mozambique, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Russia.   Aquamarines always remind us of 1950's glamour… what do they remind you of?   Photos credits: T&H California Beach Video Shoot, Starfish, Beach windmills, Lifeguard stand, Vintage car, Beach scene