The March birthstone is actually two stones. There's aquamarine, the clear sea-blue one, and bloodstone, a dark green stone freckled with red. One looks like a swimming pool in the sun. The other looks like a forest floor after a storm. Most people born in March only know about the first one.
Why March has two birthstones
Birthstone lists have changed a lot over the centuries. In 1912, American jewellers agreed on a standard list so everyone sold the same stone for the same month. March got two: aquamarine and bloodstone.
That list has been updated a few times since, and both stones are still on it. So if you were born in March, you get to pick. Light and clear, or dark and earthy.
Aquamarine: the sea-blue March birthstone
The name comes from Latin for "water of the sea", which is about as accurate as a name gets. Aquamarine ranges from pale ice blue to a deeper teal.
What it actually is
Aquamarine is a type of beryl. That's the same mineral family as emerald. Emerald gets its green from chromium or vanadium, while aquamarine gets its blue from tiny traces of iron.
It's also tough. Aquamarine sits at about 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, so it handles everyday wear in a ring or bracelet better than many softer stones. GIA's aquamarine guide is a good read if you want the full gem-nerd version.
What it's traditionally linked with
Because of its colour and its name, aquamarine is tied to the sea in a lot of folklore. The story goes that sailors carried it for a safe trip. Today, people use it as a reminder to stay calm and speak clearly. It's often linked with the throat chakra and with Pisces.
Plenty of people pick it simply because the colour is so soft and clear. That's a perfectly good reason.
Bloodstone: the other March birthstone
Bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony, which is a form of quartz made of crystals too small to see. The red spots are iron oxide, the same stuff that makes rust red.
Its older name is heliotrope, from the Greek for "turning the sun". It sits around 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it's hard-wearing too.
Bloodstone has a long list of legends. The best known is a medieval Christian story that says the red spots came from drops of blood at the crucifixion. That story is where the name comes from. Today people tend to see it as a grounding, steady stone, and it's traditionally linked with courage. It pairs naturally with Aries, the sign that starts in late March.
March zodiac signs and their stones
March is split between two signs:
- Pisces runs until about March 20. Aquamarine is a classic Pisces stone. Browse more in the Pisces collection.
- Aries starts around March 21. Bloodstone, carnelian and red jasper are common Aries picks.
Not sure where your birthday lands, or curious about your moon and rising signs too? Our free natal chart works it out from your birth time and place.
Is my aquamarine real?
Here's the honest part. A lot of the faceted aquamarine sold in jewellery has been gently heated. Heat pushes a greenish stone toward a purer blue. It's very common, it's stable and it doesn't make the stone fake. It just means the colour had a little help.
Real fakes do exist, mostly blue glass. A few clues that a piece is natural:
- Tiny inclusions. Natural aquamarine often has small threads or specks inside. Glass can have round bubbles instead.
- Colour. Natural stones are usually soft and a little uneven. A very bright, perfectly even blue at a low price is worth a second look.
- Temperature. Stone tends to feel cool in your hand for longer than glass does.
Raw and tumbled aquamarine is usually paler and cloudier than gem-cut pieces. That's normal. Clear, deep blue rough is rare. At The Rock Space, treated, dyed and man-made stones are labelled as such.
Caring for March birthstones
- Rinse and wipe. Both stones are fine with lukewarm water and a soft cloth.
- Skip harsh cleaners. No bleach, and no ultrasonic cleaner for strung or glued jewellery.
- Store them apart. Aquamarine is hard enough to scratch softer stones in a jewellery box.
- Take bracelets off for the gym or the pool. Elastic cord lasts longer that way.
March birthstone gift ideas
A birthstone is an easy gift because the hard part, choosing, is already done. A few ideas from the shelf right now:
- A bead bracelet. The aquamarine bracelet and the bloodstone bracelet are simple, everyday pieces.
- A pendant. An aquamarine sterling silver pendant for someone who wears necklaces.
- Something to hold. Raw and tumbled pieces in the aquamarine collection and carvings in the bloodstone collection.
- Their own design. Pick the stones bead by bead in our Design Your Own Bracelet builder.
Shopping for a February birthday too? Our amethyst guide covers the stone right before March.
Know someone with a March birthday? Make them a free March birthstone card and send it by text or email.
Frequently asked questions
Does March have a birthstone?
Yes, two. Aquamarine is the best-known March birthstone, and bloodstone is the traditional second one. Both have been on the standard birthstone list since 1912.
Which birthstone is the luckiest?
No birthstone is luckier than another. Traditionally, people wear the stone of their own birth month as a personal keepsake, so the luckiest one is simply yours.
What months have more than one birthstone?
Several do on the modern list, including March (aquamarine and bloodstone), June (pearl, moonstone and alexandrite) and August (peridot, spinel and sardonyx).
Is aquamarine a rare birthstone?
Aquamarine itself is fairly common as gems go. Large, clean stones with a deep blue colour are much harder to find, which is why pale and cloudy raw pieces are the norm.
Can aquamarine get wet?
Yes. Aquamarine is a hard stone and a quick rinse with lukewarm water is fine. Dry it with a soft cloth and skip harsh cleaners, especially on strung bracelets.
Come say hi
Aquamarine looks different in every light, so it's worth seeing in person. Visit us at 396 Victoria Street North in Kitchener and hold a few before you choose. Or take the Crystal Quiz and browse the aquamarine collection online.