Quick Answer
March has two birthstones: aquamarine, a blue-green beryl named for its sea-water color, and bloodstone, a dark green chalcedony flecked with red iron oxide. Aquamarine became the modern pick in 1912; bloodstone is the older, traditional stone. Neither is in our catalog, but we style March birthdays in moissanite and 925 sterling silver, and build custom pieces on request.
What Are March's Birthstones, Aquamarine and Bloodstone?
Aquamarine is a blue-to-teal variety of beryl, the same mineral family as emerald, colored by trace iron. It measures Mohs 7.5–8, hard enough for regular wear, and most stones on the market are eye-clean. Bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony in the quartz family, scattered with red iron-oxide flecks, at Mohs 6.5–7.
- Aquamarine mineral: beryl (silicate), same family as emerald and morganite
- Aquamarine hardness: Mohs 7.5–8 — durable for daily wear, though softer than moissanite
- Aquamarine color: pale sky-blue to deeper teal-blue, caused by trace iron
- Bloodstone: dark green chalcedony (a quartz variety) with red iron-oxide spots, Mohs 6.5–7
- Main aquamarine sources: Brazil, Nigeria, Madagascar, and Mozambique
One thing worth knowing before you buy: most aquamarine on the market has been lightly heat-treated to remove a natural yellow or green tinge and bring out its blue color. That treatment is routine, permanent, and considered completely normal in the trade — reputable sellers disclose it rather than hide it, so it's worth asking about if a listing doesn't say either way.
What Do Aquamarine and Bloodstone Mean, and Why Does March Have Two?
March is one of a handful of months with two recognized birthstones: aquamarine, added when US jewelers standardized the modern birthstone list in 1912, and bloodstone, the older stone tied to March for centuries before that. Aquamarine's name comes from the Latin for "seawater," and sailors historically carried it as a talisman believed to calm rough water.
Bloodstone carries an older, different kind of symbolism. Its red flecks against dark green gave rise to a medieval legend that it formed at the crucifixion, earning it the nickname "martyr's stone," and it was historically carved into seals and small devotional objects. Both stories are folklore, not scientific fact, but they're part of why March's birthstone conversation is really about two distinct stones rather than one.
How Do You Care for Aquamarine and Bloodstone Jewelry?
Aquamarine is durable enough for daily wear at Mohs 7.5–8, but bloodstone is softer, at roughly Mohs 6.5–7, and can scratch more easily, so store the two apart from harder gems. Clean both with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush, then pat dry — skip ultrasonic cleaners for stones with visible fractures.
- Take both stones off before swimming, cleaning with household chemicals, or heavy manual work
- Store pieces separately in a soft pouch or lined box, not loose in a drawer with harder stones
- Avoid sudden temperature changes (hot water straight after a cold day), which can stress natural stones
- These are the same everyday habits we recommend for our own sterling silver and moissanite pieces — see our sterling silver and moissanite care guide for more
How to Wear a March Birthday Look in Sterling Silver and Moissanite
Since our catalog doesn't carry loose or set aquamarine or bloodstone, we style March birthdays with near-colorless moissanite and 925 sterling silver instead — an honest, affordable everyday alternative, not a birthstone substitute. A dainty pendant on an adjustable chain layers easily with other necklaces and works for daily wear.
- Keep a birthday pendant short and close to the neck as your "base layer," then add one or two longer chains around it
- A nameplate or initial pendant adds a personal touch that a plain solitaire doesn't
- Choose an adjustable chain so the pendant sits comfortably for both everyday wear and dressier occasions
- If you want a birthstone-specific accent, the custom route below is the honest way to add it
Here are a few everyday pieces from our current necklace lineup that work well for this kind of layered, giftable look:
Browse the full lineup in our necklaces collection, or see more budget-friendly gift ideas in our moissanite gifts under $100 guide.
Want an Actual Aquamarine or Bloodstone Piece? We Can Make One
If you want a genuine aquamarine or bloodstone piece — a birthstone pendant with an accent stone, a personalized initial charm, or a memorial design — we take custom requests. Share your idea through our custom design inquiry page, and we'll work with you on stone, setting, and sterling silver details before anything is made.
This is where the personal side of a birthstone gift comes in. A March birthday piece doesn't have to be a plain solitaire — a small aquamarine accent set beside an initial, a number, or a hand-picked design carries more meaning than a stock item. If you're curious how other months in this series are covered, we've also written guides for February's amethyst and January's garnet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aquamarine a good stone for everyday wear?
Yes. At Mohs 7.5–8, aquamarine is hard enough for daily wear in pendants, earrings, and rings under normal, careful use. It's a bit softer than moissanite, at roughly Mohs 9.25, so avoid harsh knocks and store it apart from harder stones — with reasonable care, it should hold up well for years.
Does MYNSU sell aquamarine or bloodstone jewelry?
Not in our standard catalog — we currently stock moissanite and 925 sterling silver pieces, some with pavé cubic zirconia accents. If aquamarine or bloodstone is specifically what you're after, our custom design process can build a one-off piece around it; reach out through our custom design inquiry page to start that conversation.
What's the difference between aquamarine and bloodstone?
They're unrelated minerals that happen to share a birth month. Aquamarine is a blue-green beryl, the modern March birthstone added in 1912. Bloodstone is a dark green, red-flecked chalcedony from the quartz family, and the older, traditional March stone. Either is a correct answer — modern lists favor aquamarine, but bloodstone remains historically valid.
Why does March have two birthstones instead of one?
When US jewelers standardized the modern birthstone list in 1912, they added aquamarine for March but kept bloodstone, the older traditional stone, alongside it rather than dropping it. Other months have since picked up extra stones of their own through later revisions, but March's pairing dates back to that original 1912 list.
How do I keep aquamarine looking clear and its best blue?
Clean it occasionally with warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush, and avoid harsh chemicals or abrasive cloths. Most aquamarine on the market is already heat-treated for stable color, so normal wear shouldn't change its appearance — just handle it gently and store it away from harder stones when not worn.
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