Short answer: March has two birthstones: aquamarine and bloodstone. Aquamarine is a clear, pale sea-blue to blue-green beryl, hard enough for everyday rings. Bloodstone is an opaque dark green chalcedony with red spots of iron oxide. Aquamarine is the modern favorite; bloodstone is the older, traditional March stone.
Why does March have two birthstones?
Bloodstone has the longer history as a March stone. The 1912 list adopted in the United States gave March both bloodstone and aquamarine, and the 1952 update switched which one is primary, making aquamarine the main March birthstone with bloodstone as the alternative. The British list also gives both.
Aquamarine
What is aquamarine?
Aquamarine is the blue to blue-green variety of beryl, a beryllium aluminum silicate, Be3Al2(SiO3)6, and a close relative of emerald and morganite. Iron in the crystal gives it its color. It is hard, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, and often very clean and transparent, so it is usually faceted.
Where does aquamarine come from?
Like most beryl, aquamarine grows in granitic pegmatites, the coarse-grained rocks that also produce tourmaline and large feldspar crystals. The pegmatite guide explains how they grow such large crystals.
The Brazilian state of Minas Gerais has been an important source for two centuries, from pegmatites near the gem center of Teófilo Otoni. Aquamarine described as "water clear" comes from the Karakoram foothills of Pakistan, mined at elevations of 3,000 to more than 4,000 meters. It is also mined in Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, Zambia and Mozambique, and in the United States at Mount Antero in Colorado, where it is the state gem, and in Riverside and San Diego counties in California.
Famous aquamarines
In 1936 the government of Brazil gave Eleanor Roosevelt a dark blue, 1,298 carat step-cut aquamarine, now at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Smithsonian Institution holds the Dom Pedro aquamarine, a 10,363 carat obelisk about 36 centimeters tall, believed to be the largest faceted aquamarine in the world.
What is aquamarine traditionally associated with?
The name comes from the Latin for seawater. Ancient mariners claimed it would calm the waves and keep sailors safe at sea, and it was thought to bring happiness in marriage. Beryl in general was believed to protect the wearer against foes in battle and in lawsuits. Aquamarine is the gem of the nineteenth wedding anniversary.
Bloodstone
What is bloodstone?
Bloodstone, also called heliotrope, is a variety of chalcedony, the microcrystalline form of quartz. It is dark green and semi-translucent to opaque, with red spots of iron oxides, especially hematite. It rates 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale and is usually cut as cabochons, beads and carvings, and sometimes engraved.
Where does bloodstone come from?
Most bloodstone on the market today comes from India. It is also found in Brazil, Australia, China and the United States, filling cracks and cavities in other rocks or as pebbles in riverbeds.
What is bloodstone traditionally associated with?
The name heliotrope comes from the Greek for "to turn the sun"; in ancient times these stones were believed to turn the sun red when placed in water. The name bloodstone comes from the belief that its red spots represent the blood of Christ. It has long been associated with strength and courage, and many treat it as a lucky charm. Roman engraved gems in bloodstone survive in museum collections.
These are traditions and beliefs, not properties of the stones.
Aquamarine or bloodstone: which should you choose?
| Aquamarine | Bloodstone | |
|---|---|---|
| Mineral | Beryl | Chalcedony (quartz) |
| Hardness (Mohs) | 7.5 to 8 | 6.5 to 7 |
| Look | Transparent pale blue to blue-green | Opaque dark green with red spots |
| Usual cut | Faceted | Cabochon, beads, carvings |
| Best for | Rings and everyday jewelry | Men's rings, signets, pendants |
How do you care for March birthstones?
- Aquamarine: durable enough for everyday wear. Clean it with warm water, mild dish soap and a soft toothbrush, scrubbing behind the stone where dirt collects. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are usually safe if the stone has no fractures or liquid inclusions.
- Bloodstone: clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, dry it with a soft cloth, and keep it away from harsh chemicals and very high heat. Store it in soft fabric to protect it from scratches.
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Aquamarine and bloodstone in stock
Frequently asked questions
What is the March birthstone color?
Pale blue to blue-green for aquamarine, and dark green with red spots for bloodstone.
Is aquamarine related to emerald?
Yes. Both are varieties of the mineral beryl. Emerald is the green variety and aquamarine the blue to blue-green one.
Why is bloodstone called bloodstone?
For its red spots of iron oxide on a dark green body. The name comes from the belief that the spots represent the blood of Christ. Its older name, heliotrope, means "to turn the sun" in Greek.
Which March birthstone is more durable?
Aquamarine. At 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale it is harder than bloodstone, which is 6.5 to 7, and it suits rings worn every day.
What zodiac signs are born in March?
People born in March are Pisces or Aries, depending on the date. Zodiac stones are a separate tradition from birthstones.
Sources
- GIA, March Birthstones: https://www.gia.edu/birthstones/march-birthstones
- Wikipedia, Beryl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl
- Wikipedia, Bloodstone (heliotrope): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodstone
- Wikipedia, Birthstone: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Birthstone