March Birthstone: Aquamarine Meaning, Color & Jewelry
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, the sea blue member of the beryl family and a stone that sailors once carried for safe passage and calm water. Its color runs from the palest sky blue to a deeper blue green, always cool and clear. Aquamarine is hard, usually very clean, and easy to wear in almost any setting.
On this page
What aquamarine means, the colors of aquamarine, choosing aquamarine jewelry, caring for aquamarine, and common questions.
| Birth month | March |
| Color | Pale sky blue to blue green |
| Hardness | 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale |
| Symbolism | Courage, calm, and safe passage |
| Treatment | Often gently heated for a purer blue |
The meaning of March's birthstone
The name aquamarine comes from the Latin for water of the sea, and the stone has been tied to the ocean for as long as people have worn it. Roman sailors carried it as a charm for safe passage, trusting that it kept the waters calm and the voyage steady, and it was long thought to bring courage, clear thinking, and lasting affection. Its cool, transparent blue calls to mind clear shallows and open sky, which is part of why it became a stone of renewal and fresh starts. Arriving as the March birthstone at the turn toward spring, aquamarine carries that sense of calm and forward motion into a birthday gift.
The colors of aquamarine
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, the same mineral species as emerald, and takes its blue from traces of iron. Its color runs from a barely there sky blue through to a deeper, greener blue, and the most prized stones show a pure, saturated blue with little green in it. Where emerald is almost always included, aquamarine is usually remarkably clean, so eye clear stones are the norm rather than the exception, and large transparent crystals do occur. That clarity is a big part of its appeal, since cutters can take advantage of it with open, light filled shapes. Gentle heat is commonly used to shift greenish tones toward a cleaner blue, a stable and widely accepted treatment. For a closer look at how color and clarity set one stone apart from another, the guide to evaluating aquamarine quality breaks it down.
Choosing aquamarine jewelry
Start with the blue that appeals to you, whether that is a soft icy pale or a deeper, more saturated tone, and remember that larger stones tend to show their color more fully. Because clean aquamarine is easy to find, hold out for an eye clear stone, and look for a cut that keeps the gem bright and lively rather than flat. Emerald cuts and clean ovals suit aquamarine especially well, since they show off its transparency. The metal sets the mood: white gold, silver, and platinum keep the blue cool and icy, yellow gold warms it, and rose gold offers a gentle contrast against the cool stone. The aquamarine jewelry at Oath runs from a simple bezel necklace to a cushion halo ring.
Caring for aquamarine jewelry
At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is durable enough for everyday rings, earrings, and pendants, a little harder than quartz and well suited to regular wear. Warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush keep it sparkling, and ultrasonic cleaning is usually safe for clean, untreated stones, though it is best avoided for any gem with visible inclusions. Protect a ring from sharp knocks, since even a hard gem can chip on a sharp blow, and store aquamarine apart from harder stones. The fine jewelry care guide covers cleaning and storage for every stone and metal in more detail.
In short
- Aquamarine is March's birthstone, the sea blue beryl tied to courage, calm, and safe passage.
- Its appeal rests on a clear, cool blue, and because the stone is usually very clean, eye clear gems are the norm.
- At 7.5 to 8 it is durable for daily wear, needing only mild soap, warm water, and protection from sharp knocks.
Not sure which birthstone suits the person you are shopping for?
The Oath jewelry guide walks through every birth month, metal, and stone, with practical tips for choosing a piece they will keep.
Read the jewelry guideFrequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for March?
Aquamarine is the birthstone for March, the blue beryl that has marked the month in the modern birthstone list for well over a century.
What color is aquamarine?
Aquamarine ranges from a pale sky blue to a deeper blue green, with the most prized stones showing a pure, saturated blue that carries little green.
Is aquamarine good for everyday jewelry?
Aquamarine rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which makes it durable enough for everyday rings, earrings, and pendants, with sensible care against sharp knocks.
What does aquamarine symbolize?
Aquamarine stands for courage, calm, and safe passage, a meaning rooted in the Roman sailors who carried it as a charm for steady seas and a safe return.
How should I wear aquamarine?
Aquamarine suits both cool and warm metals and looks at home from a simple pendant to a halo ring. The guide to styling aquamarine jewelry shows how to pair its cool blue with the rest of a look.
Keep reading
Aquamarine is a cool, hard wearing way to mark a March birthday, with the calm of the sea behind its color. Every order ships free with a 30-day return policy.
