What is the March Birthstone? Discover Aquamarine and Bloodstone

March gets double the birthstone luck. While most months claim a single gem, March offers two completely different options: the ocean-blue aquamarine and the distinctive bloodstone with its dark green surface marked by red spots. These stones couldn't look more different, yet both carry centuries of protective symbolism. Ancient sailors trusted aquamarine to calm rough seas, while warriors wore bloodstone, believing it granted strength and courage. 

In this guide, we will explore what makes each gem special, their fascinating histories, and how modern settings make these traditional stones work for your daily life.

Key Takeaways

• March offers two official birthstones (aquamarine and bloodstone) with completely opposite appearances but shared protective symbolism.

• Aquamarine's ocean-blue transparency connected to ancient sailors' beliefs about calming seas and safe passage.

• Bloodstone's dark green surface with red spots convinced warriors it could prevent bleeding and boost endurance.

• Both stones guard well-being through different energies. Aquamarine for emotional calm, bloodstone for physical strength.

• Aquamarine's 7.5-8 hardness makes it suitable for active daily wear, while bloodstone's softer nature requires gentler handling.

• Traditional care requirements often limit when you can actually wear birthstone jewelry.

• Modern settings combine genuine gemstones with flexible materials designed for real-life activities.

What Is March's Birthstone?

March has two official birthstones: aquamarine and bloodstone. You can choose either one, or celebrate both if you're feeling ambitious.

Bloodstone came first, holding the traditional spot for centuries. Then, in 1952, the Jewelry Industry Council of America added aquamarine to give people more options. Smart move, considering how different these gems are:

• Aquamarine: Transparent blue-to-blue-green beryl that ranges from pale sky tones to deep ocean hues.

• Bloodstone: Opaque dark green chalcedony spotted with bright red iron oxide.

Both connect to March's spring renewal energy, just through different lenses. Aquamarine mirrors the season's fresh, clear waters. Bloodstone ties to the traditional spring equinox rebirth symbolism. Your choice depends on which speaks to you—serene blue transparency or bold green-and-red strength.

Why Did Ancient Mariners Trust Aquamarine?

Ancient sailors carried aquamarine because they believed it could literally calm stormy seas and guarantee safe passage. The stone's name tells you everything about this connection—it comes from Latin aqua (water) and marina (of the sea).

Roman fishermen tucked aquamarine talismans into their boats, trusting Neptune's gemstone would protect them from rough waters. Greek sailors did the same, calling on Poseidon through their aquamarine amulets. These weren't just good luck charms. Ancient mariners genuinely believed the stone held power over ocean conditions.

Medieval cultures expanded aquamarine's supposed abilities beyond seafaring:

• Counteracting poison when worn or dissolved in liquid

• Sharpening mental clarity during meditation

• Revealing future events when used as a mirror by seers

• Cooling hot tempers through its calming blue energy

The March birthstone color spans from barely-there sky blue to rich, saturated ocean tones. Deeper blues command higher prices, especially in larger stones. Trace amounts of iron create aquamarine's characteristic color—more iron means more intense blue. The clearest specimens, free from internal marks, showcase that signature watery transparency that made ancient people think they were holding pieces of the sea itself.

What Powers Did Warriors Find in Bloodstone?

Warriors believed bloodstone could prevent bleeding and boost physical endurance during battle. Those red spots resembling blood drops convinced ancient fighters that the stone held literal life force within its dark green surface.

Different civilizations used bloodstone in surprisingly specific ways. Babylonians used it for divination rituals, believing the stone's contrasting colors revealed hidden truths. Egyptian soldiers carried bloodstone into combat, convinced it would help them overpower enemies through transferred strength. These weren't casual superstitions—bloodstone appeared in burial goods and religious ceremonies across multiple ancient cultures.

The religious connection runs deep. Christian legend claims the red spots formed when Christ's blood dripped onto green jasper stones at the foot of the cross, giving bloodstone its alternative name "the martyr's stone." Earlier Greek mythology offered a different explanation, suggesting the stone (called heliotrope, meaning "to turn the sun") could make the sun appear red when placed in water.

Modern believers focus less on literal battle protection and more on:

• Building courage for everyday challenges

• Enhancing physical stamina and vitality

• Grounding scattered energy into focused action

• Protecting against negative influences

Bloodstone's Mohs hardness of 6.5-7 makes it softer than aquamarine, requiring gentler handling despite its warrior associations.

How Do These Contrasting Gems Share Common Ground?

Both stones center on protection, just from opposite angles. Aquamarine guards emotional and spiritual well-being through calming energy, while bloodstone shields physical health and courage. Different methods, same goal—keeping the wearer safe.

The meaning of the March birthstone really depends on which one you're talking about, but protection threads through both traditions. Aquamarine offered sailors protection from drowning and helped them navigate home safely. Bloodstone gave warriors protection from wounds and defeat. The common theme? People facing danger reached for these stones.

Their visual opposition creates balance rather than conflict. Aquamarine's transparent blue suggests clarity, openness, and flow—qualities that calm anxiety and encourage honest communication. Bloodstone's opaque green-red combination grounds you, anchors scattered thoughts, and builds resilience when life gets tough.

Choosing Between Them

Your personality might pull you toward one over the other:

Many people born in March actually wear both stones in different pieces. There's no rule saying you must commit to just one March birthstone option. Stack an aquamarine ring with a bloodstone pendant, or switch between them based on what kind of energy your day requires.

Which March Birthstone Suits Active Lifestyles?

Aquamarine wins for active daily wear. Its Mohs hardness of 7.5-8 puts it just below diamond and sapphire, meaning it resists scratches from normal activities like typing, exercising, or handling tools.

This durability makes aquamarine practical for people who don't want to constantly remove their jewelry. You can wear an aquamarine birthstone ring to the gym, keep it on during yard work, and not worry every time your hand bumps something. The stone's toughness matches its symbolic meaning—that calm, steady energy translates into physical resilience.

Bloodstone requires more consideration. We mentioned its 6.5-7 hardness earlier, which means harder stones and rough surfaces can scratch it over time. That doesn't make bloodstone fragile, just less suited for 24/7 wear in demanding environments. Think of it as the special occasion choice or the weekend piece rather than your constant companion.

Practical Wearing Scenarios

Aquamarine handles:

• Frequent handwashing (healthcare workers, food service)

• Computer work and desk jobs

• Athletic activities and outdoor sports

• Household tasks and DIY projects

Bloodstone works better for:

• Office environments with limited physical impact

• Special events and meaningful occasions

• Rotational wear with other jewelry pieces

• Settings that provide protective bezels

The growing trend toward birthstone rings as personal, everyday jewelry makes durability matter more than ever. People want meaningful stones they can actually wear, not just admire in a jewelry box. That's where thoughtful design comes in—pairing genuine gemstones with settings built for real life.

Browse options that balance traditional symbolism with practical construction at our birthstone collection, where March birthstone choices meet modern lifestyle needs.

Can You Wear March's Gemstones Every Day?

Yes for aquamarine, with reasonable care. Maybe for bloodstone, depending on your routine. The real question isn't whether the stones can handle daily life—it's whether traditional metal settings let you keep them on when life gets messy.

Most people face the same frustrating cycle: put on their birthstone ring in the morning, take it off before the gym, remove it again for gardening, slip it off during meal prep. By the end of the week, that meaningful piece spends more time in a dish than on your finger.

Care Requirements That Actually Matter

The gap between "technically durable" and "practically wearable" is where modern innovation matters. Pairing genuine gemstones with flexible, protective silicone bands solves the removal problem. The silicone absorbs impacts that would damage traditional prongs, while 14K gold settings keep your stone secure.

This March birthstone ring approach (see aquamarine option) lets you maintain that symbolic connection without the constant on-off routine. Your birthstone becomes something you actually wear, not just own.

How Has Birthstone Jewelry Evolved for Modern Life?

Birthstone jewelry shifted from heirloom pieces reserved for special occasions to everyday accessories you can actually wear during normal activities. The change happened because people wanted the symbolic connection without the constant worry.

From Jewelry Box to Daily Rotation

Traditional birthstone rings sat in velvet boxes most of the time. Too delicate for the gym. Too precious for gardening. Too formal for casual Fridays. That precious March birthstone your grandmother gave you? Beautiful, but impractical for someone who works with their hands or hits the weight room regularly.

The practical luxury approach changed this dynamic. Genuine gemstones still matter—you're wearing real aquamarine or authentic bloodstone, not substitutes. But the setting adapts to your actual life instead of forcing you to adapt to the jewelry.

Engineering That Makes Sense

High-grade silicone bands paired with 14K gold bezels create a hybrid that sounds odd until you try it. The gold setting secures your stone with the same reliability as traditional prongs. The silicone band flexes when you move, absorbs shock during impact, and doesn't snag on equipment.

This combination specifically benefits March birthstone wearers:

• Aquamarine's natural toughness shines when the setting protects it from direct hits. Healthcare workers washing hands fifty times per shift, mechanics handling tools, rock climbers gripping rough surfaces—the silicone cushions impact that might chip even durable stones in rigid metal bands.

• Bloodstone gains the protection it desperately needs. That softer 6.5-7 hardness becomes less of a limitation when flexible material surrounds the stone, reducing direct contact with hard surfaces.

Explore how this approach works across all birth months in our birthstone collection philosophy.

Ready to Find Your Perfect March Match?

March's dual birthstone tradition gives you permission to choose based on what resonates, not just what tradition dictates. Aquamarine's ocean blues or bloodstone's warrior greens—both carry protective symbolism earned over thousands of years. Modern settings finally let these meaningful stones work with your actual life instead of sitting unused because they're "too nice" for everyday wear. Your birth month deserves more than jewelry you're afraid to put on. Pick the stone that speaks to you, then actually wear it.