Discover everything you need to know about the March Birthstone, the aquamarine. This article was written by Afshin Shaddaie, author, lecturer and jewelry celebrity.
What is the March Birthstone?
The official birthstone for March is aquamarine. This stunning gemstone, with its cool blue hues, has been cherished for centuries as a symbol of serenity, clarity, and protection. Its name comes from the Latin words aqua (water) and marina (sea), perfectly capturing its resemblance to the tranquil ocean. Aquamarine has long been associated with calming energy and was historically believed to bring safe passage to sailors navigating rough waters.
In recent years, some have pushed to recognize bloodstone as a March birthstone. Bloodstone is a dark green variety of chalcedony with red flecks, historically linked to strength and courage. However, most experts—including ourselves—strongly reject this claim. Bloodstone does not meet the same historical and gemological standards as aquamarine, and it remains an unofficial alternative at best.
Gift Inspiration Ideas for March Birthstones
Looking for the perfect gift featuring aquamarine? Here are some great ideas, each with its own advantages and considerations:
- Aquamarine Pendant Necklace. An elegant and timeless option, a pendant necklace keeps the birthstone close to the heart. It suits various styles and makes for a meaningful, everyday piece. However, depending on the size and setting, it can be pricey.
- Aquamarine Stud Earrings. Simple yet sophisticated, stud earrings are a versatile choice for daily wear. They never go out of style and can complement any outfit. However, smaller stones may not showcase the deep blue color as vividly.
- Aquamarine Cocktail Ring. A bold and eye-catching statement piece, a cocktail ring highlights the brilliance of aquamarine. Larger stones enhance the gemstone’s natural beauty, but they require extra care to avoid damage due to aquamarine’s relative softness.
- Aquamarine Tennis Bracelet. A luxurious and sophisticated gift, an aquamarine tennis bracelet pairs well with both casual and formal attire. However, since multiple stones are used, the cost can be quite high.
- Aquamarine Engagement or Promise Ring. A unique alternative to traditional diamond rings, an aquamarine engagement or promise ring symbolizes love, peace, and clarity.
- Aquamarine Home Décor (Crystal Display, Paperweight, or Carved Figurine). For those who appreciate the natural beauty of gemstones, an aquamarine display piece can be a calming addition to a home or office. While visually striking, it lacks the personal connection of wearable jewelry.
Each of these aquamarine gifts can be tailored to match the recipient’s personality and lifestyle, making for a meaningful and memorable present.
Aquamarine vs. Other Blue Gemstones
When shopping for a blue gemstone, aquamarine is often compared to other popular choices like blue topaz, sapphire, and tanzanite. While all of these gems offer stunning shades of blue, they vary in terms of color, durability, rarity, and price. Understanding these differences will help you choose the best gemstone for your needs.
| Feature | Aquamarine | Blue Topaz | Sapphire | Tanzanite |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Color | Light to deep blue, often with a slightly greenish tint | Typically bright sky blue or deep Swiss/London blue | Deep royal blue to cornflower blue, often with hints of violet | Vivid blue to purplish-blue, with strong color shifts in lighting |
| Brilliance & Sparkle | Moderate brilliance, subtle glow | High brilliance, often more sparkly than aquamarine | Very high brilliance and strong luster | High brilliance with a velvety appearance |
| Hardness (Mohs Scale) | 7.5–8 (durable for daily wear) | 8 (slightly harder than aquamarine) | 9 (extremely durable, ideal for rings) | 6–7 (softer, needs more care) |
| Durability | Good, resistant to scratches but can chip | Good, but prone to cleavage (can split under impact) | Excellent, extremely scratch-resistant | Fair, softer and more prone to damage |
| Affordability | Moderately priced, varies by color depth | Most affordable blue gemstone, widely available | Expensive, especially for deep blue stones | Mid to high range, but rising in value due to rarity |
| Treatment | Often heat-treated to enhance color | Usually irradiated and heat-treated to achieve deep blues | May be heat-treated, but untreated sapphires are highly valued | Almost always heat-treated to deepen color |
| Symbolism & Meaning | Represents serenity, clarity, and protection | Symbolizes wisdom and strength | Associated with royalty, wisdom, and loyalty | Represents transformation, spirituality, and mystery |
How to Picking the Best Aquamarine?
Because of the range of shades that aquamarine can come in, there is a lot of flexibility when choosing jewelry. Aquamarine can appear in slightly different colors from different angles. We recommend moving the stone around to see any possible unwanted effects. It can also take on a green hue in certain lights, so be aware of that.
In general, there are a few most common colors that Aquamarines will come in:
- Santa Maria Blue (usually the most expensive). Will typically look similar in color to topaz. It will have deep saturation. Most of our rings are within this category.
- Light blue.
- Greenish blue.
- Blueish green.
The various colors can be used in all sorts of settings and with all types of metal. Yellow gold can be quite unforgiving for many gemstones but works really well with the paler blue. White gold and platinum work well with all shades, but especially the rich blue of high-quality stones.
Mining Locations of Aquamarine
Aquamarine is mined in several regions around the world, with each location producing gemstones of unique characteristics in terms of color, clarity, and size. The most notable sources of high-quality aquamarine include:
- Brazil – The largest and most significant producer of aquamarine, Brazil is known for yielding exceptionally clear, vibrant blue gemstones. The state of Minas Gerais, in particular, produces some of the most sought-after aquamarines.
- Madagascar – Aquamarine from Madagascar is highly prized for its deep blue saturation and excellent transparency. This island nation has become an increasingly important player in the gemstone market.
- Pakistan – The Shigar Valley in Pakistan is famous for producing aquamarines with striking icy-blue hues. These gemstones are often found in high-altitude pegmatite deposits.
- Mozambique – Mozambique’s aquamarine deposits have gained attention for producing stones with intense blue color, sometimes rivaling Brazilian specimens.
- Nigeria – Nigerian aquamarine is known for its bright, sky-blue tones and is often heat-treated to enhance its color.
- Russia – The Ural Mountains have historically been a source of aquamarine, though production is limited today. Russian aquamarines tend to have a slightly greenish-blue tint.
- United States – Small deposits of aquamarine are found in Colorado, particularly in Mount Antero, which is known for producing gem-quality specimens.
These global mining locations ensure a steady supply of aquamarine, making it an accessible yet highly prized gemstone for jewelry lovers worldwide.
Aquamarine’s Physical Properties
In common with many crystals, aquamarine grows on a host rock. Here the host is a particular type of granite.
Like many other gemstones, the pure version of aquamarine is clear. It is the inclusion of impurities which creates a variety of colors across the variously related stones.
Aquamarine is composed of the mineral Beryl. This is the same mineral that makes up emerald, morganite and a number of other recognized gemstones.
The blue of aquamarine is caused by iron deposits being present when the crystal is growing. Similarly, the rich green of the emerald is created by deposits of chromium in the crystal.
Aquamarine also appears in green color, but the March Birthstone is most desirable when in blue. The richer and deeper the blue color, the more expensive the stone usually is.
Beryl crystals can be huge. One such crystal found in Maine was 18ft long and 4ft wide and weighed 18 metric tons.
Aquamarine crystals measuring a foot or more in length are common. All beryl crystals are hexagonal in shape and therefore cater easily to the emerald cut or other similar cut shapes.
How strong is the March Birthstone?
Aquamarine measures between 7.8-8 on the Mohs jewelry hardness scale. While considerably softer than a diamond, aquamarine is perfectly durable for everyday wear.
The biggest issue with aquamarine, or any beryl crystal, is the tendency to fracture. Because all beryl is heavily included, this causes weak spots in the stone structure. If hit or knocked with enough force, the stone can easily split. Although aquamarine isn’t as included as emerald, it can still be a problem for some polished stones.
March Birthstone Jewelry
Although not of the same value of its close relation emerald, aquamarine is exquisite in any setting. Although it most favors the emerald cut, due to its natural rough shape, it can be cut into any shape and is very popular for “fantasy” cuts.
Because the stone is available in all sizes, it can really suit almost all budgets. Anything from a single carat to stones weighing dozens of carats is readily available. Although the weight does have an impact on price, of course, the deeper the blue, the more expensive the polished stone.
Aquamarine works really well in ring settings, but are also very popular as the center stone for pendants and earrings.
Caring and Cleaning For Aquamarine
Aquamarine, like many examples of Beryl and gemstones generally, doesn’t cope well with very hot water. It also doesn’t like harsh cleaning chemicals or abrasives. A soft, baby, toothbrush and warm soapy water should be all you need.
Use the brush to gently loosen and remove any dirt or grease, and rinse under hand-warm water. If you haven’t cleaned your jewelry in a while, you may need to repeat the process. Click here to read our complete guide to cleaning your engagement ring.
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