March Birthstone 

The March birthstone is aquamarine, a beautiful blue gemstone named for its resemblance to a glistening ocean. The serene color and captivating shimmer of aquamarine has made it popular among jewelry designers, so March babies have no shortage of lovely birthstone jewelry to choose from. But aquamarine is more than just a pretty gem– it’s also particularly rich in meaning and lore. If you’re curious to discover more about the emblem of March birthdays, read on as we go over everything you need to know about aquamarine. 

History and Meaning of Aquamarine Birthstone

Sterling Silver Aquamarine Rhythm of Love Drop Earrings

The name aquamarine combines aqua, the Latin word for “water,” with marina, the Latin word for “of the sea.” The Latin phrase aqua marina can be translated to either “water of the sea” or simply “seawater.” 

As is clear from its name, aquamarine has long been associated with the sea. Some of the earliest records of aquamarine come from the Ancient Romans, who believed carrying aquamarine could protect sailors and travelers as they journeyed across the sea. Ancient Romans further believed aquamarine could protect against poisoning and treat certain medical conditions. Roman author Pliny the Elder wrote the stone also held special powers because it originated as a mermaid's treasure.

Sterling Silver Simulated Aquamarine Stackable Ring 

Throughout history, aquamarine has been given many meanings due to its association with the ocean and the sky, which is reflected by ocean water. Aquamarine has been thought to help calm the temper, unearth hidden things within the soul, and enhance the possibility of having epiphanies. 

In modern culture, aquamarine is best known as the March birthstone and as the traditional anniversary gift for the 19th wedding anniversary. Aquamarine is also still associated with serenity, clarity, harmony, and the sea. Of note, aquamarine remains a popular choice for engagement rings and bridal sets among people who are connected to the sea, like sailors, surfers, and those who live oceanside. 

Aquamarine Birthstone Characteristics 

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Aquamarine is the blue variety of beryl, putting the gemstone in the same family as emerald and morganite. Aquamarine is always blue, but can vary slightly in shade. Aquamarine can be light or dark blue, and can range from true blue to blue-green. 

Like many other beryl gemstones, aquamarine grows in large crystals, so high carat aquamarine gemstones are fairly common. Aquamarine grows in six-sided crystals that are perfect for cutting and polishing into fashioned gems. 

Well cut aquamarine gemstones have a stunning sparkle that looks particularly beautiful alongside other shimmery stones. That’s why aquamarine jewelry often features white sapphire, cubic zirconia, or white diamond accents.

Caring For March Birthstone Jewelry

14k Yellow Gold Aquamarine Solitaire Stud Earrings 

Aquamarine is a durable gem with an impressive hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale. This makes aquamarine a good choice for daily wear in birthstone earrings, birthstone pendant necklaces, and birthstone rings. 

Aquamarine jewelry should be cleaned regularly to ensure its sparkle isn’t dulled by dirt, grime, or oil build up. Luckily, aquamarine is quite easy to clean at home using gentle dish soap, warm water, and a soft toothbrush. Be sure to clean behind your center gemstone, where grime can easily collect. 

Check with your jeweler before attempting to clean aquamarine jewelry with an at-home ultrasonic fine jewelry cleaner. It’s usually safe to clean aquamarine with ultrasonic technology, but your unique gemstones may have a treatment that cannot withstand steam or vibration. 

Modern vs. Traditional March Birthstone

Sterling Silver Simulated Aquamarine Pendant Necklace 

The idea of birthstones is ancient, but the list of stones we currently associate with each month is fairly new. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers released a list of modern birthstones, which are the birthstones we still use today. The updated list was likely a response to the trend of “mother rings,” which featured the birthstones of a mother’s children. The range of traditional birthstones featured both opaque and transparent gemstones, which don’t always look good together in jewelry. All of the modern birthstones, however, are transparent, so they work together much more seamlessly.

March is one of the months that got a new birthstone during the modern update. The modern birthstone for March is the transparent blue aquamarine, while the traditional birthstone for March is the dark and opaque bloodstone. Also known as heliotrope, bloodstone is a mineral aggregate that is made up of multiple minerals. Bloodstone is usually made up of jasper or chalcedony and often has prominent red hematite inclusions. Bloodstone can vary in color, but it’s most often deep green with red, blood-like flecks of hematite.