I can’t let March 15th pass without thinking about the famous line from Shakespeare’s Julius Caeser in which the Soothsayer warns Julius Caesar “Beware the Ides of March.” The ides are nothing more than the 15th of March, May, July, and October and the 13th of every other month. It just happens to be the day Julius Caesar was killed and therefore has become somewhat of an ominous day.

What does this have to do with jewelry? you might ask. Well, nothing; but whenever I look at the beautiful styling of Greek designer Konstantino’s jewelry I think of the golden ages of Greece and Rome. Here are some classic Mediterranean designs to enjoy today, the ides of March.

Citrine & Peridot Enhancer

Filigree Sterling Cufflinks by Konstantion

Fleur de Lis Ring by Konstantino

Last night’s trunk show event was a fun and lively affair with good food and fabulous jewelry. The fun continues today with hundreds of beautiful rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces, each handcrafted with intricate patterns by Alex Sepkus.

14K Gold & Aquamarine Necklace circa 1910

Aquamarine is the birthstone for March and the traditional gift for 19th wedding anniversaries.

Aquamarine’s name is derived from the Latin for sea water. Ancient seafarers believed that the beautiful blue stone came from the treasure chests of the mermaids. Ancient peoples believed that the water in which an aquamarine was soaked would cure eye troubles and stop hiccups (never been proven by modern medicine). In medieval times, it was believed to reawaken love between married couples. Soldiers through the ages have called Aquamarine the “Stone of Courage” and believe that it guards against injury and makes them invincible.

Aquamarine belongs to the Beryl family of gemstones. Emeralds and Morganite are also included in the Beryl family. Beryl is comprised of beryllium-aluminum-silicate. Iron is the trace element that creates the lovely blue color in Aquamarine while chromium creates the green in emeralds and manganese gives Morganite its pink color. The beryl family generally originates in granitic pegmatites and found in alluvial deposits. The largest gem quality specimen on record is a 243 pound crystal found in 1910 in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil.

Aquamarine & Sterling Silver Neckalce by Konstantino

Properties

• Hardness: 7.5 – 8.0
• Color – Greenish blue through blue-green
• Stability
• Very good
• Rarities include cat’s-eye
• Clarity – majority is eye-clean
• Enhancements –
• Majority is heat treated to remove yellow and green overtones and is undetectable

Aquamarines are found in Brazil, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Australia, the Ural Mountains of Russia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and the USA.

Care

• Cleaning methods
• Ultrasonic – usually safe
• Steamer – usually safe
• Warm soapy water – safe

79 Ct Aquamarine in custom mounting by Beauchamp Jewelers

79 Ct Aquamarine in Custom Mounting by Beauchamp Jewelers