Aquamarine is the March birthstone, a blue to greenish-blue gem from the beryl family whose name comes from the Latin word for “seawater.”
March splits its birthstone duty between two gems: aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine gets the spotlight as the modern stone, while bloodstone, a dark green chalcedony flecked with red, serves as the traditional alternative. The gem also marks the 19th wedding anniversary, so it carries weight well beyond one month on the calendar. This covers what aquamarine actually is, why it’s paired with March, and what to know before you buy.
What Is Aquamarine, Exactly?
Aquamarine is a variety of beryl, the same mineral family that produces emeralds and morganite. Its color runs from pale sky blue to deeper blue-green, and the gem is known for clean, transparent stones. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) describes top-quality aquamarines as combining high clarity with limpidity — meaning the stone looks clear and glass-like — alongside blue to slightly greenish blue hues.
That color range is the key detail. Unlike emerald’s saturated green, aquamarine favors light, cool tones. Deeper blues command higher prices, while very pale stones are the most common and affordable. Most aquamarine on the market today is heat-treated to remove a greenish tint and push the color toward pure blue, a standard and accepted practice in the trade.
Why Is Aquamarine the March Birthstone?
The modern birthstone list ties aquamarine to March, a pairing formalized in the U.S. by the jewelry industry in the early 20th century. Some sources also name bloodstone as a March option, which is why you’ll see two stones listed for the month depending on where you look.
The stone’s name traces to the Latin for “seawater,” and that maritime connection shaped its older folklore. Aquamarine was said to calm rough waves and protect sailors at sea — a fitting story for a gem the color of ocean water. That history is lore, not science, but it explains why aquamarine has long been marketed as a calming, protective stone.
Aquamarine vs. Bloodstone: How the Two March Stones Compare
If you’re picking a March gift, aquamarine and bloodstone land at very different price points and looks. Aquamarine ranges from light blue to blue-green and is far more common in fine jewelry; bloodstone is opaque green with red speckles and usually appears in men’s rings, signets, or beaded pieces.
| Feature | Aquamarine | Bloodstone |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Pale to deep blue, often blue-green | Dark green with red flecks |
| Mineral family | Beryl | Chalcedony (quartz) |
| Typical clarity | Transparent, often eye-clean | Opaque to semi-translucent |
| Common use | Rings, earrings, pendants | Signets, beaded bracelets |
| Designation | Modern March stone | Traditional March stone |
| Color range | Sky blue to blue-green | Forest green with red spots |
| Anniversary tie | 19th wedding anniversary | Not standard |
Aquamarine wins on versatility, and GIA’s own guidance notes the finest stones balance clarity with those blue tones. If you’re weighing options for a gift, a tested roundup of aquamarine birthstone jewelry picks can narrow the field fast.
Buying Aquamarine: What Actually Matters
The single biggest factor in aquamarine value is color depth. Pale, nearly colorless stones are abundant and cheap; deep blue examples are rarer and priced accordingly. Clarity comes next, and aquamarine is generally clean — visible inclusions on a large stone are a red flag. GIA’s encyclopedia lists aquamarine as a beryl variety, which matters because that family identity drives its hardness and how it wears.
Because aquamarine sits at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it handles daily wear in rings well, though it can chip with a hard enough knock. Heat treatment is normal and permanent, so it doesn’t change care instructions. Skip ultrasonic cleaners for heavily included stones, and store aquamarine away from harder gems that could scratch it.
On price: a modest light-blue stone can start in the low hundreds of dollars, while a large, deeply colored, eye-clean aquamarine can run into the thousands. Always ask whether a stone has been treated and whether the color is natural or enhanced before you commit.
FAQs
Is aquamarine always blue?
No. Aquamarine ranges from pale sky blue to blue-green, and some stones lean greenish straight out of the ground. Heat treatment is commonly used to shift that green tint toward pure blue, which is why most aquamarine in stores looks more blue than green.
Can I wear aquamarine every day?
Yes, with care. Aquamarine rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, hard enough for regular wear in rings and pendants. It can still chip from a sharp impact, so remove aquamarine jewelry before heavy lifting, sports, or any task that risks a hard knock.
What is bloodstone’s role as a March stone?
Bloodstone is the traditional alternate March birthstone, a dark green chalcedony flecked with red. It’s opaque, far less common in fine jewelry than aquamarine, and typically shows up in men’s rings, signets, and beaded designs rather than faceted stones.
References & Sources
- GIA. “March Birthstones | Aquamarine & Bloodstone Meaning.” Confirms aquamarine and bloodstone as March birthstones.
- GIA. “Aquamarine Gemstone – GIA.” Details aquamarine’s beryl family, color range, and quality factors.
- GIA. “Aquamarine – Gem Encyclopedia Overview.” Covers aquamarine clarity, limpidity, and hue.