What are the birthstones for March?

March has two birthstones: aquamarine (the modern stone, recognized since 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association) and bloodstone, also called heliotrope, which is the ancient traditional birthstone for March.

What color is aquamarine?

Aquamarine ranges from pale blue and blue-green to a rich, deep blue. The most prized shade is a pure, medium-deep blue with no green overtones, similar to the color of tropical ocean water. Its name comes from the Latin "aqua marina" meaning "sea water."

What color is bloodstone?

Bloodstone (heliotrope) is a dark green variety of chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) speckled or streaked with red or orange spots caused by iron oxides. The red spots resemble drops of blood, which inspired the stone's name.

How hard is aquamarine on the Mohs scale?

Aquamarine rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it quite durable and suitable for all types of jewelry including everyday rings. It is in the same mineral family (beryl) as emerald and morganite.

How hard is bloodstone on the Mohs scale?

Bloodstone has a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7, making it reasonably durable for pendants, earrings, and brooches. It is slightly softer than aquamarine and should be worn with a bit more care in ring settings.

What does aquamarine symbolize?

Aquamarine has long symbolized courage, clarity, youth, and good health. Sailors carried it as a talisman for safe passage across the sea. It is also associated with happiness in marriage and is a traditional 19th-anniversary gift.

What does bloodstone symbolize?

Bloodstone has been associated with strength, vitality, courage, and healing since ancient times. Medieval Christians connected it to the blood of Christ. It was believed to stop bleeding, increase endurance, and grant invincibility in battle.

How do I care for aquamarine jewelry?

Clean aquamarine with warm soapy water and a soft brush. Avoid prolonged exposure to strong sunlight, which can fade pale stones. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for untreated aquamarine. Store separately to prevent scratches from harder gems.

March Birthstone

Name: March Birthstone
Availability: InStock
Author: Nham Vu

Discover everything about March's two birthstones — aquamarine and bloodstone — their history, meanings, Mohs hardness, care tips, and gift ideas.

Aquamarine

Modern

Variety of Beryl — Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁⇀

Aquamarine is a blue-to-blue-green variety of beryl, colored by trace amounts of iron. The name derives from the Latin aqua marina ("sea water"). It has been prized since antiquity as a stone of courage, clarity, and safe sea voyages. Today it is the primary modern birthstone for March and a popular choice for fine jewelry.

Hardness 7.5 – 8 / 10

Color Blue to blue-green

Bloodstone

Traditional

Variety of Chalcedony (Heliotrope) — SiO₂

Bloodstone, also called heliotrope, is a dark-green chalcedony speckled with red and orange spots from iron oxides. It is one of the oldest known birthstones, mentioned in ancient Babylonian, Greek, and Roman texts. The traditional birthstone for March, it has been associated with courage, healing, and spiritual power for over 3,000 years.

Hardness 6.5 – 7 / 10

Color Dark green + red spots

Aquamarine — Key Facts

Mineral Family

Beryl (Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈)

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, sharing it with emerald (green), morganite (pink), and golden beryl. Iron in the crystal lattice produces its blue hue.

Color Range

Pale blue to deep blue-green

Color ranges from light sky-blue and greenish-blue to a rich, saturated deep blue. The finest grade ("Santa Maria" blue) is a vivid medium-dark blue with no green tinge.

Mohs Hardness

7.5 – 8 / 10

Harder than quartz (7) and most common abrasives. Suitable for all jewelry types including rings. Softer than topaz (8) and corundum (9).

Refractive Index

1.577 – 1.583

Aquamarine's moderate refractive index gives it a clean, glassy brilliance. Its transparency and large crystal sizes allow for spectacular faceted gems.

Primary Sources

Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar

Brazil (Minas Gerais state) produces the most aquamarine globally. Notable deposits also exist in Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Pakistan, and the United States (Colorado).

Birthstone Since

1912 (modern list)

Aquamarine was added as the March birthstone in 1912 by the American National Retail Jewelers Association. It is also a traditional 19th-wedding-anniversary gemstone.

Bloodstone — Key Facts

Mineral Family

Chalcedony (Cryptocrystalline Quartz)

Bloodstone is a form of heliotrope, a dark-green chalcedony. It is a microcrystalline quartz where iron-oxide inclusions (jasper) create the characteristic red spots.

Color

Dark green with red spots

The green matrix ranges from olive to dark forest green. Red or orange-red spots and streaks are caused by iron oxide (hematite or jasper) inclusions distributed throughout the stone.

Mohs Hardness

6.5 – 7 / 10

Bloodstone is durable for pendants, earrings, and brooches. For rings it is best in bezel or protective settings. It can be scratched by quartz dust (Mohs 7) over time.

Luster

Vitreous to waxy

Polished bloodstone displays a smooth, waxy to glassy luster. It is typically cut as a cabochon (domed, uncut top) to showcase its color pattern rather than brilliance.

Primary Sources

India, Australia, Brazil

The finest bloodstones historically came from India (Deccan Plateau). Other notable sources include Australia (Western Australia), Brazil, China, and the United States.

Traditional Use

Seals, signets, amulets

Bloodstone has been carved into seals, signet rings, and religious amulets for millennia. Its hardness and opaque body make it ideal for intaglio engraving. Medieval carvings often depicted Christian scenes.

Mohs Hardness Comparison

How the two March birthstones compare in durability against common gemstones.

Diamond

Corundum (Ruby / Sapphire)

Topaz

Aquamarine (Beryl)

7.75

Quartz / Amethyst

Bloodstone (Chalcedony)

6.75

Feldspar

Glass

5.5

Displayed midpoints (7.75, 6.75) represent the approximate center of each stone's range. Mohs scale is ordinal — steps are not evenly spaced in absolute hardness.

History & Symbolism

Aquamarine

Ancient Seafarers

Sailors of ancient Greece, Rome, and the Middle Ages carried aquamarine amulets to ensure safe passage across the sea. Its ocean-blue color made it a natural talisman against storms, seasickness, and drowning. It was said to calm waves and protect sailors.

Roman & Greek Antiquity

Romans believed aquamarine could absorb the power of young love. It was engraved with Poseidon (Neptune) and given as betrothal gifts. Pliny the Elder wrote of it in Naturalis Historia, describing its resemblance to sea water and its calming properties.

Medieval Europe

Medieval Europeans associated aquamarine with foresight and happiness. Crystal-gazers used polished aquamarine spheres for divination. Alchemists called it the "Stone of Sages" and believed it could reawaken the love of married couples.

Modern Symbolism

Today aquamarine symbolizes clarity of mind, courage, youth, and healthy communication. It is the traditional gift for 19th wedding anniversaries and is associated with the Pisces and Aries zodiac signs. Brazil's Minas Gerais state remains the world's premier producer.

Bloodstone

Babylonian & Ancient Near East

Bloodstone's history stretches back at least 3,000 years. Babylonian warriors wore bloodstone amulets for strength and invincibility. Egyptian and Mesopotamian scribes carved it into signets for official seals, valuing its hardness and striking appearance.

Ancient Greece & Rome

The Greek name "heliotrope" means "sun turner" — ancient writers claimed the stone turned the sun red when placed in water. Athletes and gladiators wore bloodstone to enhance endurance and stop bleeding. Roman soldiers carried it as protection in battle.

Christian Medieval Tradition

Medieval Christians gave bloodstone deep religious significance: legend held that the red spots were drops of Christ's blood that fell on green jasper at the Crucifixion. This made it especially valued for devotional carvings depicting Christ, the martyrs, and scenes of the Passion.

Renaissance & Herbal Medicine

Renaissance physicians prescribed bloodstone to stop hemorrhages, reduce fever, and purify the blood — remedies rooted in sympathetic magic (the red spots resembling blood). It was ground into powder and mixed with egg white or honey as a topical treatment.

Modern Symbolism

Today bloodstone is associated with courage, strength, revitalization, and grounding. It remains a favored stone for signet rings and carved intaglios. It is less commercially prominent than aquamarine but retains a devoted following among collectors and those drawn to ancient gemstone traditions.

Care Tips

Aquamarine

Warm soapy water is safe

Clean with a soft brush, mild dish soap, and warm water. Rinse thoroughly. Aquamarine is stable and not affected by ordinary household cleaning agents.

Avoid prolonged sunlight

Extended UV or sunlight exposure can fade pale aquamarine over time. Store in a pouch or jewelry box away from windows.

Ultrasonic cleaning is fine

Untreated aquamarine without fractures is safe in ultrasonic cleaners. Avoid steam cleaning for heavily included stones.

Protect from hard knocks

Despite its hardness, aquamarine has imperfect cleavage. A sharp blow from the right angle can cause it to chip or cleave. Handle with care.

Bloodstone

Clean gently with water

Warm water and a soft cloth or brush work best. Bloodstone is relatively porous and may absorb harsh chemicals. Mild soap is fine; avoid bleach or acid-based cleaners.

Avoid ultrasonic cleaners

The microcrystalline structure of chalcedony can be affected by ultrasonic vibrations. Hand-cleaning is always the safer option.

Oil occasionally

Some jewelers recommend a light application of mineral oil to enhance the stone's color and sheen. Buff off any excess with a soft cloth.

Store separately

At Mohs 6.5–7, bloodstone can be scratched by harder gems including aquamarine and quartz. Store in individual pouches or compartments.

Gift Ideas for March Birthdays

Aquamarine Solitaire Ring Aquamarine

An oval or emerald-cut aquamarine in white gold or platinum — elegant and wearable every day due to its excellent hardness.

Aquamarine Drop Earrings Aquamarine

Faceted teardrop aquamarines in silver or gold settings. Their clear blue color is flattering for almost any complexion.

Aquamarine Pendant Necklace Aquamarine

A cushion or pear-cut aquamarine on a delicate chain is a timeless, sentimental March birthday gift.

Bloodstone Signet Ring Bloodstone

A classic carved bloodstone set in gold or silver — a nod to the stone's ancient heraldic history. Ideal for collectors and history enthusiasts.

Bloodstone Cabochon Pendant Bloodstone

A polished bloodstone cabochon in a bezel setting showcases the stone's striking green-and-red pattern at its best.

Mixed Birthstone Set Both

A matched set of aquamarine and bloodstone pieces — earrings in one stone, a pendant in the other — honors both March birthstone traditions.

Summary

Discover everything about March's two birthstones — aquamarine and bloodstone — their history, meanings, Mohs hardness, care tips, and gift ideas.

How it works

March has two birthstones: aquamarine (modern, since 1912) and bloodstone (traditional, ancient).
Browse the hero cards to compare the two stones side by side at a glance.
Explore the Key Facts grids for mineral family, color, hardness, and origin details for each stone.
Read the History and Symbolism section to learn the lore behind each gem.
Check the Care Tips to keep either stone in top condition.
Use the Gift Ideas section to choose the right March birthstone piece for a birthday.

Use cases

Find a meaningful birthstone gift for a March birthday.
Learn the difference between aquamarine and bloodstone.
Understand the hardness of each March birthstone before buying jewelry.
Discover the historical and mythological symbolism of aquamarine and bloodstone.
Care for an aquamarine or bloodstone jewelry piece properly.
Plan a March-themed birthstone jewelry collection.
Teach children about birthstone traditions and gemstone science.
Compare the two March birthstones to decide which suits a recipient better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu