March Birthstone
The Aquamarine
Laid Bare
The March birthstone is aquamarine, the sailor's gem of calm seas, clear sight, and quiet courage. Below: its meaning, Neptune mythology, the beryl family it belongs to, and honest jewelry with every cost disclosed.
Explore TrueSanity’s aquamarine jewelry collection, including aquamarine rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with every cost disclosed.
What Is the March Birthstone?
The birthstone for March is aquamarine, a blue to blue-green variety of the mineral beryl, the same family that includes emerald.
The name comes from the Latin aqua (water) and marina (of the sea), and for over two thousand years, aquamarine has been the gem most deeply associated with the ocean, sailors, and safe passage across open water.
Aquamarine's color ranges from pale sky blue to deep oceanic tones, produced by iron impurities (Fe2+) within the beryl crystal structure.
It ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, as hard as its famous cousin emerald, making it exceptionally durable for everyday jewelry.
Unlike emerald, which is prized for its inclusions, aquamarine is typically eye-clean: transparent, brilliant, and as clear as the water it's named for.
This clarity and durability make aquamarine a popular choice for March birthstone jewelry, including aquamarine rings and aquamarine engagement rings.
March actually has two birthstones: aquamarine (modern) and bloodstone (traditional), a dark-green jasper flecked with vivid red spots of iron oxide.
While bloodstone carries its own rich history of symbolism around health and strength, aquamarine has become the dominant March birthstone gemstone in modern jewelry.
The modern birthstone list, standardized in 1912, designated aquamarine as the primary March birthstone.
March Birthstone Meaning & Symbolism
The Sailor's Gem: Calm Seas and Safe Passage
Aquamarine's most ancient and enduring association is with the sea and those who cross it.
Greek and Roman sailors carried aquamarine amulets, often engraved with the image of Poseidon on a chariot, believing the gem was carved from the treasure chests of mermaids and blessed by Neptune himself.
Mariners trusted that aquamarine could calm storms, prevent drowning, and ensure safe return to shore.
"The lovely aquamarine, which seems to have come from some mermaid's treasure house, in the depths of a summer sea, has charms not to be denied."
— Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 79 CERomans believed that Neptune acquired the first aquamarines when they fell from a siren's jewel box and washed ashore.
A sailor would sometimes toss his aquamarine into rough seas as an offering to calm an angry Neptune.
During World War II, U.S. naval personnel continued the tradition, carrying aquamarine as a good-luck talisman.
At TrueSanity, a gem associated with clarity through turbulence and courage under pressure belongs in a house built on radical transparency.
Today, aquamarine jewelry continues to represent calm, clarity, and protection, making it a meaningful choice for those looking for a gemstone with personal symbolism.
Clarity, Purification, and the Antidote to Poison
In the Middle Ages, aquamarine's reputation shifted from sailor's talisman to purifying agent.
It was widely believed to remove impurities from drinking water when submerged, making it especially valued at royal courts where poisoning was a genuine occupational hazard.
The Crown of St. Wenceslas (1346), one of the Bohemian Crown Jewels, features aquamarine alongside diamonds and emeralds.
Legend holds that only the rightful Bohemian king may wear it during the coronation. Usurpers are fated to die within a year.
Love, Marriage, and the Stone of Aphrodite
In Greek mythology, Aphrodite, goddess of love, was born from the sea foam, and her throne was said to be "inlaid with beryls and aquamarines."
The ancient Romans believed aquamarine could absorb the energy of young love and reflect that passion back.
In India, gifting aquamarine jewelry to new brides became a custom symbolizing hope, fidelity, and a marriage as clear and deep as the ocean.
Because of its connection with love and new beginnings, aquamarine remains a popular gemstone choice for anniversary gifts, bridal jewelry, and meaningful March birthstone jewelry.
The 19th Wedding Anniversary Stone
Aquamarine is the traditional gemstone for the 19th wedding anniversary.
It also makes a meaningful gift for March birthdays, new beginnings, and anyone navigating a season that demands clarity, calm, and the courage to keep moving forward.
The History of the March Birthstone
Aquamarine beads have been found in Egyptian tombs dating to approximately 500 BCE, where they served as both decorative jewelry and spiritual talismans for safe passage into the afterlife.
The Hebrews revered aquamarine as one of the stones on the breastplate of the High Priests, and the Sumerians considered it a sacred stone of divine favor.
The ancient Greeks first documented aquamarine's use between 480–300 BCE, wearing talismans engraved with Poseidon on a chariot.
Emperor Nero reportedly used thin slices of aquamarine to correct his poor vision, an early form of spectacles.
This practice was so well-known that the German word for eyeglasses, Brille, derives from beryl.
Among the most famous aquamarines in the world: in 1936, the government of Brazil gifted First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a 1,298-carat aquamarine, the largest cut stone of its kind at the time, now housed at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library.
The Dom Pedro aquamarine, weighing 10,363 carats, approximately 4.6 pounds, is the largest faceted aquamarine in the world, cut by legendary German gem artist Bernd Munsteiner and displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
These remarkable stones helped establish aquamarine as one of the most recognized gemstones associated with the March birthstone, inspiring interest in rare aquamarine jewelry and collectible pieces.
The largest gem-quality aquamarine crystal ever found was unearthed in Marambia, Brazil, weighing nearly 244 pounds and measuring 19 inches long.
The famous Martha Rocha aquamarine, also from Brazil, weighed 134 pounds and yielded over 300,000 carats of gem-quality blue stones.
March Birthstone Color
Aquamarine's color ranges from pale, nearly colorless blue to deep, saturated oceanic tones.
The blue March birthstone is recognized for its refreshing sea-inspired shades, making aquamarine one of the most recognizable blue gemstones used in fine jewelry.
The blue comes from ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) within the beryl crystal lattice, with deeper blues produced by higher iron concentration.
The most valued color grade is known as "Santa Maria", a medium-dark, highly saturated pure blue named after the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
A similar deep blue from Mozambique is traded as "Santa Maria Africana", while lighter Brazilian material is sometimes labeled "Espirito Santo."
Color names in the aquamarine trade refer to color quality, not necessarily geographic origin, so always ask for documentation if provenance matters to you.
Most commercial aquamarine undergoes heat treatment to remove greenish or yellowish tints and produce a purer blue.
This common enhancement process helps improve the appearance of many aquamarine gemstones and is widely accepted within the jewelry industry.
This treatment is stable, permanent, and universally accepted in the industry.
Deeper colors are rarer and more valuable, especially in larger stones. Small aquamarines with intense saturation are uncommon.
The Family
Aquamarine & the Beryl Family
One mineral species. Five extraordinary gemstones. Same crystal structure, wildly different personalities.
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl gemstone family, making it closely related to emerald and other rare varieties of beryl. Understanding this connection helps explain why the March birthstone is valued for its unique color, clarity, and durability.
Aquamarine
March Birthstone · Blue
Blue to blue-green beryl colored by Fe²⁺ iron. The sailor's gem. Typically eye-clean with exceptional clarity.
As the official March birthstone, aquamarine is especially admired for its transparent blue color, ocean-inspired appearance, and symbolism of calm, courage, and clarity.
The "Santa Maria" deep blue is the most valued color grade.
Emerald
May Birthstone · Green
Green beryl colored by chromium/vanadium. Aquamarine's most famous cousin.
Valued for color over clarity. Inclusions (jardin) are expected and accepted.
Morganite
Pink Beryl · Romantic
Pink to peach beryl colored by manganese.
Named after financier J.P. Morgan in 1911. Increasingly popular in engagement rings for its soft, romantic hue.
Heliodor
Golden Beryl · Solar
Yellow to golden beryl colored by Fe³⁺ iron.
Named from Greek helios (sun) + doron (gift). Bright, sunny, and significantly rarer than aquamarine.
Red Beryl
Bixbite · Ultra Rare
Red beryl colored by manganese.
Found in only one location worldwide (Utah, USA). One red beryl crystal for every 150,000 gem-quality diamonds. The rarest beryl by far.
March Birthstone Jewelry
Four Ways to Wear Aquamarine
Each piece ships with a Transparency Manifest. No hidden markups. Just the stone, the craft, and the truth.
Whether you are searching for March birthstone jewelry, an aquamarine birthday gift, or a timeless gemstone piece, aquamarine offers a versatile option for everyday wear and meaningful occasions.
How to Care for Your March Birthstone Aquamarine
Aquamarine is one of the most durable colored gemstones, at 7.5–8 Mohs. It is as hard as emerald but typically far more transparent and inclusion-free.
Because of its durability, aquamarine is an excellent choice for everyday jewelry, including rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.
Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.
Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for aquamarine unless it has been fracture-filled, which is rare.
Most aquamarine is heat-treated, a stable, permanent, industry-accepted enhancement, and this treatment is unaffected by cleaning.
Store separately from harder stones (diamonds,sapphires) to prevent scratching, and remove before exposure to harsh chemicals.
Proper aquamarine care helps preserve the gemstone's clarity, color, and brilliance for generations.
Aquamarine's color is stable under normal light and heat conditions. Unlike amethyst, it won't fade in sunlight.
With reasonable care, aquamarine is a genuinely low-maintenance gemstone.
Nocturnal Luxury, Radical Transparency
Most jewelers mark up aquamarine and call the result "luxury."
We think luxury lives in the stone and the craft, not in opaque pricing.
Every TrueSanity aquamarine piece ships with a Transparency Manifest that itemizes your materials cost, artisan labor, logistics, and our honest protocol fee.
You see exactly what you're paying for, and why.
For customers purchasing March birthstone jewelry, this transparency provides confidence by showing the craftsmanship, materials, and value behind every aquamarine piece.
Illustrative example. Actual manifests vary by piece and are included with every order.
Easy Cleaning
Warm soapy water and a soft brush, or ultrasonic and steam cleaners, both generally safe.
Aquamarine's durability makes this March birthstone relatively easy to maintain compared with many other colored gemstones.
Aquamarine is one of the most low-maintenance colored gemstones in fine jewelry.
Color Stable
Unlike amethyst, aquamarine won't fade in sunlight.
Its color is stable under normal light and heat.
Heat treatment, if present, is permanent and unaffected by cleaning or wear.
Smart Storage
Store separately from harder stones.
At 7.5–8 Mohs, aquamarine is very durable, but diamonds can still scratch it.
A soft pouch or individual compartment keeps pieces pristine.
Find Your Date
What Is the Birthstone for Your March Birthday?
The birthstone for every day in March is aquamarine. Your zodiac sign changes — Pisces (Mar 1–20) or Aries (Mar 21–31). Select your date.
The March birthstone remains aquamarine throughout the entire month, making it the gemstone associated with every March birthday.
Select a date above to see your birthstone details
No matter your exact March birthday, aquamarine remains the official March birthstone and a meaningful gemstone choice for birthday jewelry.
Birthstone for Every Day in March
Whether you're born on March 1st, March 14th, or March 31st, the birthstone for your date is aquamarine.
The March birthstone by date does not change, as traditional birthstones are assigned by month rather than individual calendar days.
Birthstones are assigned by month, not by individual day.
What does change is your zodiac sign: March 1–20 is Pisces, March 21–31 is Aries.
♓ Mar 1–20 · Pisces
Water sign. Ruled by Neptune.
Aquamarine deepens Pisces' natural connection to intuition, emotional depth, and the healing power of the sea.
For those born under Pisces, the March birthstone aquamarine is often associated with emotional balance, inner calm, and a deeper connection to water-inspired symbolism.
♈ Mar 21–31 · Aries
Fire sign. Ruled by Mars.
Aquamarine tempers Aries' bold energy with clarity and calm, providing the clear-sightedness that turns courage into wisdom.
As the March birthstone for Aries birthdays, aquamarine represents the balance between confidence, focus, and thoughtful decision-making.
March Birthstone by Date: Quick Reference
March 1st–5th: Aquamarine (Pisces ♓)
March 6th–10th: Aquamarine (Pisces ♓)
March 11th–15th: Aquamarine (Pisces ♓)
March 16th–20th: Aquamarine (Pisces ♓)
March 21st–25th: Aquamarine (Aries ♈)
March 26th–31st: Aquamarine (Aries ♈)
The March 1st birthstone is aquamarine. The March 2nd birthstone is aquamarine. The March 3rd birthstone is aquamarine. The March 4th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 5th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 6th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 7th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 8th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 9th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 10th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 11th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 12th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 13th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 14th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 15th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 16th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 17th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 18th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 19th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 20th birthstone is aquamarine (last Pisces date). The March 21st birthstone is aquamarine (Aries begins). The March 22nd birthstone is aquamarine. The March 23rd birthstone is aquamarine. The March 24th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 25th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 26th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 27th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 28th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 29th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 30th birthstone is aquamarine. The March 31st birthstone is aquamarine.
Questions
March Birthstone FAQs
The March birthstone is aquamarine, a blue to blue-green gemstone from the beryl mineral family. Known for its ocean-inspired color and exceptional clarity, aquamarine has long been associated with calm, courage, protection, and clear communication. It is the modern birthstone for March and is a popular choice for birthday jewelery, meaningful gifts, and fine gemstone pieces.
The March birthstone aquamarine symbolizes calm, clarity, courage, and protection. Throughout history, sailors carried aquamarine as a protective talisman, believing it could bring safe journeys and peaceful waters. Today, many people choose aquamarine jewelry because of its connection with emotional balance, confidence, and new beginnings.
Yes, aquamarine is a durable gemstone that is suitable for everyday jewelry when properly cared for. It ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it strong enough for rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets. Regular cleaning with mild soap and warm water helps maintain its brilliance, while storing it separately from harder gemstones helps prevent scratches.
Santa Maria aquamarine is one of the most valuable and sought-after varieties of aquamarine because of its intense, saturated blue color. The name originally comes from the Santa Maria de Itabira mine in Brazil, where some of the finest examples were discovered. Today, the term is used to describe aquamarines with exceptional deep blue tones, regardless of their exact origin.
Yes, aquamarine and emerald are both members of the beryl gemstone family. Their colors come from different trace elements within the crystal structure, with aquamarine receiving its blue tones from iron and emerald getting its green color from chromium or vanadium. While emerald is prized for its rich green color and characteristic inclusions, aquamarine is valued for its transparency and clarity.
The Dom Pedro aquamarine is considered the largest faceted aquamarine in the world, weighing approximately 10,363 carats. This extraordinary gemstone was cut by German gem artist Bernd Munsteiner and is displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Large aquamarines like the Dom Pedro showcase the impressive size and beauty this gemstone can achieve.
TrueSanity's Transparency Manifest provides a detailed breakdown of the materials, craftsmanship, logistics, and pricing behind each aquamarine jewelry piece. Instead of hiding costs behind traditional jewelry markups, it gives customers a clearer understanding of what they are paying for. This approach reflects TrueSanity's commitment to transparency, trust, and responsible luxury.
No, the birthstone for every date in March is aquamarine. Unlike zodiac signs, which can change depending on your exact birthday, traditional birthstones are assigned by month. Whether someone is born on March 1st or March 31st, aquamarine remains their official March birthstone.
Aquamarine became associated with March because of its historical connection with the sea, sailors, and safe voyages. The gemstone's name comes from the Latin words "aqua" meaning water and "marina" meaning sea, reflecting its ocean-like color. Over time, aquamarine became the recognized modern March birthstone and a symbol of calm, clarity, and courage.
The March birthstone aquamarine ranges from very pale blue to deeper ocean-blue shades. The most valuable aquamarines typically display strong, saturated blue colors, including the highly prized Santa Maria variety. Unlike many colored gemstones, aquamarine is often valued for its clean transparency and bright, glass-like appearance.
When choosing an aquamarine gemstone, the most important factors are color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Deeper blue tones with excellent transparency are generally more desirable, while well-cut stones display better brilliance and sparkle. Understanding these quality factors can help you select a March birthstone jewelry piece that matches your style and preferences.
Most commercial aquamarine gemstones undergo heat treatment to enhance their blue color by reducing greenish or yellow tones. This treatment is permanent, stable, and widely accepted within the jewelry industry. A reputable jeweler should always disclose any treatments so you can make an informed purchase decision.