The March birthstone is aquamarine, a pale blue to greenish blue variety of the mineral beryl that ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale. March also has a traditional birthstone, bloodstone, a dark green chalcedony with red spots. Both are official, so a March birthday can be celebrated with either stone.
Aquamarine stands for calm, clarity and safe travel, while bloodstone stands for courage and strength. Compare every month in the birthstone chart by month.
What Is the March Birthstone?
March has two birthstones: aquamarine, the modern lead stone, and bloodstone, the traditional stone. GIA lists both on its March page, and the British list also names both, with aquamarine first.
| Quick fact | Aquamarine | Bloodstone |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral | Beryl | Chalcedony (cryptocrystalline quartz) |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 to 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Color | Light greenish blue to deep green blue | Dark green with red spots of iron oxide |
| Transparency | Transparent, often eye clean | Semi translucent to opaque |
| Traditional meaning | Calm, clarity, purity of spirit, safe passage at sea | Courage, strength, health, vitality |
| Notable sources | Brazil, Pakistan, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia, Mozambique, Colorado | India, Brazil, Australia, China, United States |
| Zodiac signs in March | Pisces and Aries | |
All facts above come from the GIA March birthstone guide.
Aquamarine: Color, Meaning and Lore
Aquamarine is the blue member of the beryl family, and its name comes from the Latin for seawater. GIA describes faceted aquamarines as often free of inclusions and as clear as water, in colors that run from light, slightly greenish blue to deep green blue.
Aquamarine ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, according to GIA, which makes the March birthstone hard enough for rings, earrings and necklaces worn every day. The Dom Pedro aquamarine in the Smithsonian Institution weighs 10,363 carats and stands about 14 inches tall, which shows how large and clean aquamarine crystals can grow (GIA, accessed October 2026).
Sailors once carried aquamarine as a talisman, believing it calmed waves and kept them safe at sea. GIA notes the stone was also thought to bring happiness in marriage and protection in battle, and it symbolizes purity of spirit and soul.
Aquamarine has a famous American moment, too. In 1936 Brazil gave Eleanor Roosevelt a 1,298 carat step cut aquamarine, now held at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library. Aquamarine is also the traditional gift for a 19th wedding anniversary.
Bloodstone: The Traditional March Birthstone
Bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony, traditionally an opaque dark green jasper with red inclusions of iron oxides, especially hematite. GIA rates bloodstone 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, slightly softer than aquamarine.
The red spots gave the stone its name and its legends. Ancient people believed bloodstone placed in water would turn the sun red, and the stone was linked to strength, health and youth. Today bloodstone is still treated as a lucky charm, and GIA notes it is prized by athletes.
India is the main source of bloodstone. Because it is opaque and earthy, bloodstone suits signet rings, carved pendants and beads, while aquamarine suits faceted, sparkling settings.
Why March Has Two Birthstones
March has two birthstones because bloodstone led the original 1912 US list, with aquamarine as its alternate, and a 1952 update swapped them. In 1912 the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, released the first modern list, as the International Gem Society notes.
The 1912 US birthstone list named bloodstone first for March, with aquamarine as the alternate, and the 1952 revision by the Jewelry Industry Council of America switched the primary and alternate stones. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths also lists aquamarine and bloodstone for March, so both stones remain correct for March birthdays (Wikipedia, Birthstone).
Read the full list history on the Wikipedia birthstone page. The International Gem Society adds that the modern list favored transparent gems, which made mother's rings easier to design. That shift explains why clear, faceted aquamarine moved ahead of opaque bloodstone. March is not the only month with two stones; June, August, October, November and December also have more than one.
March Birthstone Alternatives Compared
Aquamarine is the best everyday choice for most March buyers, but other stones make sense for a deeper blue, a lower budget or an earthy look. The table compares the stones shoppers most often consider.
| Stone | Mohs hardness | Color range | Relative price tier | Everyday wear |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aquamarine | 7.5 to 8 | Pale to medium blue, greenish blue | Moderate to high for deep blue | Very good, including rings |
| Bloodstone | 6.5 to 7 | Dark green with red spots | Low | Good, best in protective settings |
| Blue topaz | 8 | Sky to deep blue, usually from treatment | Low | Good, but avoid hard knocks |
| Blue spinel | 8 | Blue, plus many other colors | Moderate to high | Very good |
Topaz rates 8 on the Mohs scale per the GIA November birthstone guide, and GIA's topaz description explains that blue topaz color is almost always the result of treatment. Spinel ranks 8 with good toughness, per GIA spinel care guidance. Neither is an official March stone, so label them as look alikes when gifting.
How to Care for Aquamarine and Bloodstone
Clean aquamarine with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush. GIA says ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe for aquamarine, unless the stone has fractures or liquid inclusions.
- Clean bloodstone only with warm soapy water and a soft brush, then dry with a soft cloth.
- Keep bloodstone away from harsh chemicals and extreme heat.
- Store each piece in soft fabric, apart from harder gems that could scratch it.
- Care for the setting too. For plated metals, follow the gold plated jewelry care guide, and for sterling, the silver cleaning guide.
How to Wear and Gift a March Birthstone
A March birthstone necklace is the easiest way to wear aquamarine's soft blue daily. A small pendant sits close to the collarbone and layers well, and the necklace length guide helps you pick where it falls.
Start with birthstone styles such as the Noa Birthstone Necklace, Kali Birthstone Necklace, Faye Birthstone Necklace and Celeste Birthstone Necklace. Check each product page for the stone used for March and current availability.
A March birthstone ring works well in a stack with plain bands; see how to stack rings for ideas, and browse gemstone rings and gemstone earrings. March birthdays fall under Pisces and Aries, so a piece from the zodiac collection pairs nicely.
Frequently Asked Questions About the March Birthstone
What is the real birthstone for March?
Both aquamarine and bloodstone are real March birthstones. Aquamarine is the modern lead stone and the one most jewelers show, while bloodstone is the traditional stone that topped the original 1912 US list. GIA lists both on its March page. Aquamarine ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale and bloodstone 6.5 to 7, so pick aquamarine for sparkle and everyday rings, and bloodstone for an earthy, opaque look.
Why does March have two birthstones?
March has two birthstones because the US list changed. In 1912 the National Association of Jewelers named bloodstone first and aquamarine as the alternate. In 1952 the Jewelry Industry Council of America switched the two, making aquamarine the lead stone. The modern list favored transparent gems, which suited faceted jewelry and mother's rings. Neither stone was dropped, so both remain correct for March birthdays today.
Is March the only month with two birthstones?
No. March is one of six months on the modern US list with more than one birthstone. June has pearl, moonstone and alexandrite; August has peridot, spinel and sardonyx; October has opal and tourmaline; November has topaz and citrine; and December has turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. Extra stones give buyers more colors, hardness levels and price points without breaking tradition.
What color is the March birthstone?
The March birthstone color is light blue to greenish blue, the classic aquamarine shade. GIA describes aquamarine colors from light, slightly greenish blue to deep green blue. Bloodstone, March's traditional stone, is dark green with red spots of iron oxide. Together the two stones give March a cool sea blue and a deep forest green to choose from.
Is aquamarine good for an everyday ring?
Yes. Aquamarine ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, harder than quartz at 7, so it resists everyday scratches well. GIA calls it suitable for everyday jewelry. Choose a setting that protects the edges, such as a bezel, and remove the ring for heavy work or the gym. Clean it with warm soapy water and a soft brush to keep its clear blue bright.
Find a March piece to celebrate the month in the EVRY gemstone necklaces collection.
