Close your eyes and imagine the feeling of crystal-clear ocean water rolling over your hands - cool, calm, and endlessly beautiful. Now picture the deep, shadowed green of an ancient forest floor, punctuated by vivid flecks of crimson that seem to pulse with life. These two sensory worlds are exactly what March's birthstones evoke, and together they tell a remarkably rich story.
March holds a distinction that few months can claim: not one, but two official birthstones. Aquamarine, with its serene palette of sky and sea blues, speaks to clarity, calm, and courage. Bloodstone, with its bold, earthy green and striking red speckles, carries an entirely different energy - one of strength, vitality, and ancient power. They are a study in contrast, yet both are deeply connected to the spirit of March, a month caught between winter's final grip and the first, tentative stirrings of spring.
In today's post we'll explore everything that makes these two gemstones so extraordinary including their histories, their symbolism, their unique physical properties, and why they remain so desirable in today's fine jewelry marketplace. We'll also be highlighting some of the exclusive aquamarine jewelry designs you'll only find at The Bradford Exchange, so keep reading for our suggestions.
What Is a Birthstone?
The tradition of wearing a stone linked to one's birth month is far older than most people realize. Its roots stretch back to ancient times, with early connections to the twelve stones described in the biblical Book of Exodus, and later to the twelve signs of the zodiac. But the modern system of birthstones as we know it today was largely standardized in 1912, when the American National Retail Jewelers Association (now known as Jewelers of America) established an official list to bring consistency to the tradition. The list has been updated a handful of times since, most recently in the past few decades to add a few alternative stones (like bloodstone, for example).
Today, birthstone jewelry remains one of the most popular and meaningful gift categories in the world. Whether set into a beautiful ring, pendant necklace, bracelet, or pair of earrings, a birthstone design is instantly personal - a wearable symbol of identity, a celebration of life, and a connection to the people we love when given as a gift. Now let's dive a little deeper into March's two birthstones.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Aquamarine
The very name aquamarine tells you almost everything you need to know. Derived from the Latin aqua marina, meaning "sea water," this gem was named for the color it so perfectly captures - the luminous, shifting blues and greens of a sun-lit ocean. And for centuries, that oceanic connection was taken quite literally.
Ancient Roman and Greek sailors carried aquamarine as a talisman, believing it was the sacred stone of Neptune, god of the sea, and that it could protect them from storms and ensure a safe return home. This association with calm, safe passage made aquamarine a stone deeply linked to protection and courage, qualities needed not just on the open water, but in life's more turbulent sections as well. Beyond its protective qualities, aquamarine has long been associated with mental clarity, inner peace, and youthful energy, making it a stone that feels as relevant today as it did in antiquity.
Aquamarine: Color, Clarity, and Gemstone Properties
Aquamarine belongs to the beryl mineral family, placing it in distinguished company - emerald is its closest gemstone relative. What sets aquamarine apart within this family is its remarkable clarity. Unlike many gemstones that frequently contain visible inclusions, aquamarine is prized for its exceptional transparency, which allows light to pass through it in a way that genuinely resembles looking into clear water.
Its color ranges from the palest, almost ethereal sky blue to rich blue-green tones, with the most sought-after specimens displaying a deep, saturated blue. That color comes from trace amounts of iron within the crystal structure - the same elegant geological process that gives amethyst its purple hue.
Aquamarine is also a notably durable stone, rating 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it well-suited for all types of fine jewelry, including designs intended for everyday wear.
Aquamarine: History and Cultural Significance
Beyond its maritime mythology, aquamarine has accumulated a rich cultural history across the ages.
In ancient Rome, it was believed to restore youth and vitality and was frequently carved into amulets.
During the Renaissance, it was associated with happiness in marriage and was sometimes exchanged between partners as a symbol of lasting affection.
In medieval Europe, it was believed to be a remedy for laziness and a promoter of quick thinking. A stone for the alert and youthful at heart.
In more modern times, aquamarine is still a favorite, even making its way into royal collections. Most famously, Queen Elizabeth II received a spectacular matched set of an aquamarine necklace, earrings, and brooch as a gift from the Brazilian government in 1953, cementing the stone's association with prestige.
It has since become a popular choice in contemporary engagement rings and fine jewelry, valued for its cool, sophisticated color and the quiet confidence it projects.
Why Aquamarine Is Perfect for Jewelry
Part of aquamarine's enduring jewelry appeal lies in its remarkable versatility. Its soft, watery color palette - cool and serene without being cold - flatters a wide range of skin tones and complexions. It pairs beautifully with both white metals like sterling silver and white gold, and warm tones like yellow gold, giving designers and wearers tremendous flexibility.
The stone's excellent clarity and natural brilliance make it particularly stunning in aquamarine rings or aquamarine bracelets where light can move through the stone and reveal its full depth. It also works wonderfully in aquamarine earrings, where its cool tones complement the face in a way that feels polished without being overpowering. For March birthdays especially, aquamarine jewelry makes an ideal gift because besides being beautiful, its rich history, laden with symbolism, can be deeply personal for people who wear it.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Bloodstone
If aquamarine is the gentle whisper of a calm sea, bloodstone is the steady beat of a warrior's heart. This ancient, enigmatic stone looks unlike anything else in the gemstone world - a deep, opaque green, almost forest-dark, interrupted by vibrant specks and streaks of red that seem to glow from within. Those striking crimson markings are caused by iron oxide deposits within the stone's structure, and it is precisely this dramatic appearance that gave bloodstone its evocative name and fueled centuries of powerful mythology.
Throughout history, bloodstone has been regarded as a stone of extraordinary strength. Ancient traditions across cultures associated it with vitality, physical endurance, and the kind of courage that carries a person through hardship. Warriors carried it into battle believing it would protect them from harm and sustain their strength when it mattered most. Healers believed it could stop bleeding and fortify the blood. Whether worn as a talisman or carried as a charm, bloodstone was understood to be a stone for those who needed to be resilient. Those who needed not only to survive difficult moments, but to rise through them.
Bloodstone: Color, Clarity, and Gemstone Properties
Bloodstone belongs to the chalcedony family, a microcrystalline variety of quartz that also includes carnelian and agate. Unlike most gemstones that are prized for their transparency and sparkle, bloodstone is entirely opaque, and that is precisely part of its appeal.
Its beauty is not about brilliance in the conventional sense. Instead, it draws the eye through texture, depth, and the endlessly varied patterns created by nature across its surface.
Because no two bloodstones share the same arrangement of green and red, every single stone is genuinely one of a kind. The distribution of the red flecks, its particular shade of green, the way light falls across its smooth, polished surface - all of it is unique to that individual stone. This gives bloodstone jewelry an inherently artisan quality that more uniform gemstones simply cannot replicate. It is a stone that feels handmade by the earth itself.
Bloodstone: History and Cultural Significance
Bloodstone's history stretches back thousands of years, and in many ancient civilizations it was considered one of the most powerful and sacred stones available.
The ancient Babylonians used it to carve seals and amulets, believing it concentrated the power of the sun and could overcome enemies.
Ancient Egyptians valued it for its perceived ability to provide strength and protection.
In ancient Rome and Greece, bloodstone was carved into signet rings and used to stamp important documents and correspondence - a mark of authority and endurance literally pressed into history.
Perhaps the most enduring mythology surrounding bloodstone emerged in the medieval period, when Christian tradition held that the stone had formed at the foot of the cross during the crucifixion. Some believed that drops of blood fell upon green jasper and created the stone. This legend elevated bloodstone to a position of deep spiritual significance in medieval Europe, and it was frequently carved into religious objects and worn as a symbol of sacrifice, courage, and divine protection.
Medieval physicians also attributed remarkable healing properties to bloodstone, prescribing it for ailments related to the blood and heart, and believing it could be used to draw out illness and restore vitality.
The themes that run through all these traditions - endurance, bravery, protection, and the strength to persevere - are not coincidental. They reflect something that human beings across vastly different cultures intuited about this stone: that its appearance speaks to something primal and powerful, a reminder that beauty and strength are not opposites but can coexist in a single extraordinary object.
Aquamarine vs. Bloodstone: What's the Difference?
In today's post we've already dug into a wealth of fascinating facts about March's two birthstones, but we thought this handy infographic might help you identify which gemstone you or a fellow March birthday holder connects to more deeply.
Aquamarine Jewelry from The Bradford Exchange: Top Quality, Exclusive Designs and Exceptional Value
The Bradford Exchange has a long-standing reputation in the marketplace for our fine jewelry and watches, unique collectibles, artistic apparel and unprecedented home decor - all that tell meaningful stories. We are proud to bring the same commitment of artistry, quality and storytelling to our exclusive aquamarine jewelry collection. Each design is painstakingly handcrafted with premium materials to ensure the highest quality and offered at an incredible value. Plus, they are only available from us, so you know you're getting something special. In honor of today's post, we have selected some of our favorite aquamarine jewelry designs for you to consider.
Our Aquamarine Jewelry Picks
Heavenly Romance Personalized Bridal Ring Set
When romance feels born of heaven, it deserves a special stone to express all the happiness, hope and harmony that is to come. This personalized bridal set puts all that meaning front and center with a checkerboard, cushion-cut aquamarine center stone, framed by a double halo of white topaz, for over 1.5 carats of genuine gemstones - 110 in all. And that's only the first reason why this 2-band set is so significant! Showcasing a sculpted heart motif, both rings are handcrafted of solid sterling silver, and both can also be engraved with your names, wedding or anniversary date or a special message to make them personal to you or the love of your life. Includes a deluxe gift box.
Royal Aqua Diamonesk® Bracelet
When attending VIP events, the beloved Princess Diana often wore a breathtaking aquamarine ring that made people say, "Wow" - it was just that stunning. Now you can shine just like the "Lady in Blue", complement of this 13.5-carat bracelet. Inspired by Diana's famed ring, this exquisitely handcrafted bracelet showcases an over 5-carat emerald cut simulated aquamarine in the center, surrounded by 120 brilliant Diamonesk® simulated diamonds (totaling over 8.4 carats). It closes confidently with a push clasp featuring a safety lock and is lavishly plated in platinum for extra shimmer. With such a grand look, the value of this royal-inspired jewelry is quite remarkable. Includes a velvet pouch and custom presentation case.
March is a month of contrasts - the last breath of winter giving way to the first promise of spring - and its two birthstones reflect that duality perfectly. Together they make March one of the richest and meaningful months of the year. Thank you so much for reading and joining us on this journey through the history, symbolism, and beauty of aquamarine and bloodstone. We hope it deepened your appreciation for these remarkable stones and perhaps even sparked an idea or two for your next purchase. Maybe a meaningful gift for a loved one? Something special for yourself?
If today's post has inspired you, we warmly invite you to explore everything The Bradford Exchange has to offer on our website. Our collections go far beyond birthstone jewelry - from collectible coins, personalized jewelry and heirloom-quality gifts to apparel, home decor and so much more. Plus, we add new exclusive designs all the time so check back often! We are so grateful for your time and your readership, and we look forward to seeing you again soon. Have a great March!
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