March Birthstone: Meaning, Color, and Jewelry Guide

March arrives with two birthstones that couldn't look more different — one clear and ocean-blue, the other deep green with flecks of red. If you are thinking of a gift for someone born in March, or if you just want to know what the March birthstone is, you have come to the right place. This guide covers the meaning, color, and jewelry use of both stones so you can make a choice that actually means something.

What Is March's Birthstone?

Aquamarine is the modern choice for March's birthstone, Bloodstone is the traditional one, and both are officially recognized. Aquamarine is the more widely known of the two, prized for its cool blue tones and durability. 

Bloodstone is older in terms of history and carries a different kind of weight — earthy, grounding, and deeply tied to ancient traditions of protection and strength. What is the gemstone for March really depends on which story you want to wear.

Aquamarine Birthstone Meaning, Color, and Jewelry Guide

Overview

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family — the same mineral group as emerald, though the two look nothing alike. Most of the world's Aquamarine comes from Brazil, with significant deposits also found in Pakistan and several African countries. It has been a valued gemstone for centuries, appearing in royal collections and worn by figures as prominent as Princess Diana and Queen Elizabeth II.

Meaning and Symbolism

Aquamarine's name comes from the Latin aqua marina, meaning "water of the sea," and that connection shaped much of its early symbolism. Sailors used the stone as a protective talisman because they believed it would protect them during their lengthy ocean travels. The term now describes a state of peaceful thought combined with clear communication abilities and dependable calming presence.

Key Features

The March birthstone color in Aquamarine ranges from pale sky blue to a deeper, more saturated oceanic blue — the richer the color, the more valuable the stone. It sits at 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, making it one of the more durable colored gemstones available. Its clarity and color consistency make it one of the easiest stones to cut, which is part of why it works so well across so many jewelry styles.

Jewelry Use

Aquamarine is usually cut in the popular emerald, oval, and pear cuts that best exhibit its alluring color and transparency. It works with nearly every jewelry type — rings and pendants, earrings and bracelets — and complements both white gold and yellow gold. Its hardness also helps make it a good choice for pieces worn frequently, including engagement rings.

Bloodstone Birthstone Meaning, Color, and Jewelry Guide

Overview

Bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony with characteristic bright red and orange splotches from deposits of iron oxide within the stone. Its historical name is heliotrope, from the Greek for “sun turner.” Other major sources include Brazil, Australia and parts of the United States with Indian Bloodstone being some of the most common.

Meaning and Symbolism

Bloodstone has been associated with strength, vitality and physical endurance throughout history. Ancient cultures thought it had healing powers — including the ability to halt bleeding and replenish energy in the body. It was worn by soldiers and athletes for courage, and in tradition it was thought to be lucky for anyone facing a physical challenge.

Key Features

What is the birthstone color for March in Bloodstone is a deep, opaque green with red speckles scattered across the surface — a look that is immediately recognizable and unlike any other gemstone. It sits at 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, which is moderately durable but softer than Aquamarine. Bloodstone is most often cut into smooth, rounded cabochons rather than faceted shapes, which suits its opaque character well.

Jewelry Use

Bloodstone works well in pendants, brooches, and earrings where the pattern of the stone can be appreciated without the risk of daily impact. It's less common in everyday rings than Aquamarine, largely because of its softer surface. For someone who wants a March birthstone piece with a bold, earthy look and a story behind it, Bloodstone makes a striking choice.

The Two March Birthstones at a Glance

March  Birthstone Colors: What Do They Look Like?

The March birthstone color story is one of the most visually contrasting of any birth month. Aquamarine has a transparency and lightness to it — wearing it feels like holding a piece of still water up to the light. The color shifts subtly depending on the angle, which gives it a quiet liveliness that photographs well and catches the eye in person.

Bloodstone is its complete visual opposite. It's opaque, textured, and grounded — the kind of stone that looks like it came from somewhere deep and old, because it did. The red spots against the dark green surface give it a one-of-a-kind pattern that no two stones share exactly. Together, the two birthstone for March cover opposite ends of the color and texture spectrum.

Durability and Wearability Guide

Aquamarine is the more practical of the two for everyday wear. Its hardness means it holds up well in rings, bracelets, and other pieces that take regular contact. It's also relatively easy to maintain and doesn't require any special handling under normal conditions.

Bloodstone needs a bit more care. It can scratch if it comes into contact with harder stones during storage, and it benefits from protective settings in rings. For pieces worn occasionally rather than daily — pendants, earrings, statement jewelry — it performs well and holds its appearance over time.

March  Birthstone Jewelry Guide

The March birthstone jewelry category covers two very different visual identities. Aquamarine suits clean, minimal designs where the color and transparency of the stone can do the work. Bloodstone suits bolder, more textured pieces where the natural patterning of the stone becomes the focal point.

Popular Jewelry Types

Aquamarine works across rings, necklaces, pendants, and earrings — it's one of the most versatile colored stones for jewelry use. Bloodstone is most at home in pendants and drop earrings where its surface can be seen clearly. Bracelets work for both, though Bloodstone benefits from a setting that keeps the stone from taking direct impact. 

Explore birthstone jewelry pieces at BAUTLR to find the right fit.

Gifting Angle

March birthstone jewelry makes a personal and thoughtful gift for anyone born this month. Aquamarine is the more recognizable option and tends to appeal to a wider range of tastes. Bloodstone is the choice for someone who appreciates history and wants something with a look that's genuinely uncommon — it's not a stone you see every day, and that's part of its appeal.

How to Care for March Birthstone Jewelry

Aquamarine

Aquamarine is straightforward to clean — warm soapy water and a soft brush work well for regular maintenance. Most Aquamarine is heat-treated to improve its color, and these stones should be kept away from prolonged heat or direct sunlight. Ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe for untreated stones, but checking with a jeweler first is always a reasonable step.

Bloodstone

Bloodstone should be cleaned with a soft cloth and mild soapy water — nothing abrasive. Store it in a soft pouch or separate compartment to prevent scratching from harder stones. Keep it away from high heat, which can affect both the color and the surface of the stone over time.

Who Should Wear March Birthstones?

Anyone born in March has a personal connection to both stones. Zodiac-wise, March encompasses Pisces (February 19 – March 20) and Aries (March 21 – April 19). Pisces’s serene, intuitive character is in perfect alignment with Aquamarine’s links to clarity and peaceful energy. The vitality and physical energy of Aries harmonize perfectly with Bloodstone, whose ancient associations involve strength and courage.

Beyond birth month and zodiac, both stones suit anyone drawn to what they represent. Aquamarine is for those who want something serene, clear, and wearable every day. Bloodstone is for those who want something grounded, bold, and carrying a history that goes back thousands of years.

In a Nutshell

Two stones, one month, and a contrast that works in your favor. Aquamarine brings clarity, calm, and a blue that sits comfortably in almost any setting. Bloodstone brings depth, history, and a look that stands entirely on its own. The birthstone for March  having two options means there's a genuine fit for two very different kinds of people — and that's not a complication, it's a choice. If you're looking to add something meaningful to your collection, exploring birthstone jewelry at BAUTLR is a good place to start.