3月の誕生石(アクアマリン&珊瑚(サンゴ))

March birthstone (aquamarine & coral)


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Transparent marine blue aquamarine /
Coral, a gift from the sea with a beautiful unique luster

アクアマリン珊瑚
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Gemstone Name Aquamarine Coral
Mineral Name Beryl -
Japanese name Indigo stone, indigo ball, beryl Coral
Origin of the name The name is derived from the combination of "water = aqua" and "sea = marine" due to the clear blue color of the sea. The name coral comes from the Greek word "kolarion" (little jewel).
color Blue to light blue Red, orange, pink, white
Mohs hardness 7.5-8 3.5
Origin Madagascar, Brazil, etc. Japan, Italy and other Mediterranean countries
Stone meaning Intelligent, calm, courageous Wisdom, longevity, happiness
effect Peace of mind, stress relief, happy marriage Red: safe delivery, good health
Pink: Improved love and relationships
White: Peace of mind
Maintenance Add mild detergent to lukewarm water and gently clean with a soft brush / Ultrasonic cleaning After washing with baking soda or water, dry in the shade/store separately away from direct sunlight.
others The highest quality is Santa Maria aquamarine, which is a deep light blue color. The deep, beautiful coral found in Japan is called "blood red coral." It is also popular as a gift for the 35th wedding anniversary.

Have you ever heard of aquamarine? It is a clear, pale blue color with high transparency.The most popular coloured gemstoneIt is the birthstone for March, as well as the zodiac stone for Gemini and Capricorn.
Another March birthstone is coral, a beautiful gift from the sea. Most corals live in shallow waters,Coral used in jewelry lives in the deep seaIt is rare and valuable because it takes a long time to grow. In addition to being the birthstone for March, it is also designated as the zodiac stone for Taurus and the jade-coral wedding stone for the 35th wedding anniversary.
Both of the birthstones for March are gemstones related to the sea. We have summarized the details for you to refer to.

▼If you want to know more about other birthstones, click here

1.Aquamarine

Aquamarine characteristics

アクアマリンThe mineral that makes up aquamarine is called beryl, the same mineral as emerald (green) and morganite (pink).
It is found in large quantities in Brazil and Africa, and is known as the deepest, darkest blue aquamarine.Santa Maria Color Aquamarine" and is traded at high prices.
Recently, Japanese appraisal agencies have also begun to state "Santa Maria color" in their appraisal certificates.




Origin of Aquamarine

The name comes from the combination of "aqua" (water) and "marine" (sea), due to its clear blue color like the ocean. For this reason, it was highly valued as a talisman for sailors in Europe.
The beautiful deep blue color of Santa Maria is so named because it was mined in the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil. Nowadays, it is rarely mined in Brazil, and most of it is sourced in Africa. For this reason, it is also called Santa Maria Africana.


The effects of aquamarine

The stone's word is "Intelligent, calm, courageous"
Aquamarine has been treasured by sailors.A stone that shows the way" It has been highly valued as a
The clear blue color calms the mind and relieves stress. It is also said to be a stone that will lead you to a happy married life because it maintains the balance of the mind and body and smooths human relationships.
It is recommended for those who want to find mental stability or those who work with water.


Caring for Your Aquamarine

Although aquamarine is relatively hard, it may be scratched if two hard stones rub against each other. Therefore, it is best to store it away from other jewelry.
In addition, the jewelry is usually heated and may fade due to the effects of ultraviolet rays if exposed to direct sunlight for a long period of time, so please wipe it with a soft cloth after use and store it in a jewelry box.
If you feel that the shine is starting to dull, it's time to take care of it.
Fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent (dishwashing detergent). Then, dip a soft brush (a toothbrush with soft bristles) in the detergent and gently scrub the aquamarine. If you scrub the aquamarine, the prongs that hold it in place may come loose, so it's important to scrub it in a scrubbing motion. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the aquamarine off with lukewarm water.
We also recommend using an ultrasonic cleaner to remove fine dirt. However, some gemstones, such as emeralds and pearls, are not suitable for ultrasonic cleaning. If there is an emerald next to the aquamarine, you should never use ultrasonic cleaning.


Houjudo also has a wide selection of aquamarine jewelry. Please check out their website.
▼Aquamarine jewelry is here



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have about 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored stones, which you can touch and look at. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, we offer reasonable prices, less than half the market price. We do not pressure you to buy anything, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation >
First, ask by email
Contact Us >




2.Coral

Characteristics of coral

珊瑚(サンゴ)The corals we know commonly live in shallow waters, but the corals used for jewelry live in the deep sea and take many years to grow. For this reason, the rare, bright red blood-red corals are traded at very high prices. The kanji character "sango" can only be used for those used for jewelry.
It is mainly produced in Kochi Prefecture and the Mediterranean Sea. However, the famous bright red "Blood Red Coral" is the name only used for Japanese coral, and Mediterranean coral cannot be named that way. Even famous appraisal institutions such as the Central Gemological Institute have begun to refer to it as "blood red coral," which shows its popularity.
In addition to red, soft pink peach coral is also popular, and white coral is also available.


The origin of coral

Coral also appears in Greek mythology. It is said that when Perseus cut off Medusa's head, her blood fell into the Mediterranean Sea, forming coral. The English word coral is derived from the Greek word coralion, which means "small jewel."
Did you know that "coral" is an animal called a coral flea? It is a member of the same family as sea anemones. Precious coral fleas live in the deep sea and it is said that it takes 100 years for them to grow 1cm.


The effects of coral

The stone's word is "Wisdom, longevity, happiness"
Coral is said to protect its owner from disaster.Different colors have different effects.

Red coral: It improves blood circulation and has long been valued as a talisman for safe childbirth and good health.
Pink coral: The soft color improves your relationships, including your love luck.
White coral: Found only in limited areas of the ocean, it is believed to bring peace of mind and activate your energy.


Caring for Coral

Coral is a soft and delicate gemstone.
It is sensitive to acids such as sweat and may discolor, so please wipe it with a soft cloth after use.
It is also sensitive to heat and ultraviolet rays, so it should be stored away from heaters and out of direct sunlight.
Also, since it is soft, please store it separately so that it does not come into contact with other jewelry.
Ultrasonic cleaning is also not recommended. Even ultrasonic cleaning can damage coral, so if you do clean it, you should basically use baking soda and water, and dry it in the shade out of direct sunlight.
It is a delicate gemstone, so if you are concerned about fading or dullness, consult a specialist store. There is a way to bring out the original luster by slightly scraping off the surface.


Houjudo also has a wide selection of coral jewelry. Please check out their website.
▼Coral jewelry is here



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have about 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored stones, which you can touch and look at. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, we offer reasonable prices, less than half the market price. We do not pressure you to buy anything, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation >
First, ask by email
Contact Us >