March Birthstones: Aquamarine & Bloodstone Meaning

March has two birthstones with very different personalities: aquamarine and bloodstone. One brings a clear, sea-inspired blue; the other offers earthy green with distinctive red markings. Understanding both makes it easier to choose a birthday gift that feels personal, rather than selecting a colour simply because it appears on a birthstone chart.

What are the March birthstones?

Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family and ranges from pale blue to greenish blue. Bloodstone is a form of chalcedony, typically dark green with red iron-oxide inclusions. Both represent March, so there is no need to regard one as the only correct choice.

Aquamarine and bloodstone meaning

Aquamarine’s name refers to seawater. Its history includes sailors’ beliefs about protection at sea and associations with happiness in marriage. Bloodstone has traditionally been linked with strength and protection. These are cultural stories, not evidence that wearing a stone changes health, safety or fortune.

You can give those traditions your own interpretation. A sea-blue detail might recall a shared coastal holiday; a darker green might simply be the colour the recipient wears most. The most convincing meaning is one connected to a real person or memory.

Choosing a March colour for everyday jewellery

For a light, understated look, try an aquamarine-inspired accent with cream, white, denim or navy. Warm gold tones give the blue a gentle contrast. A small pendant can sit neatly above an open shirt collar, while a bracelet offers a quieter detail alongside a watch.

If the wearer prefers richer colours, use bloodstone’s green-and-red palette as inspiration. You do not have to match an entire outfit to the birthstone. Repeating one colour in a scarf, bag or another small accessory can make the jewellery feel intentional without looking over-coordinated.

A meaningful March birthday gift

Start with the jewellery the recipient already enjoys: pendant or bracelet, delicate or bold, warm or cool metal tones. Then choose March to represent their birthday, a child, a partner or a memorable date. Include a short note explaining the connection; that detail often matters more than a complicated account of gemstone folklore.

Explore the Birthstone Cross Necklace if a cross is meaningful to the wearer. This design uses cubic zirconia in month-inspired colours with an 18K gold-plated finish; it is not a natural aquamarine or bloodstone necklace. Check the selected month, dimensions and materials before ordering.

Care depends on the actual materials

Aquamarine measures 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale; bloodstone is around 6.5–7. Gentle cleaning with warm soapy water and a soft brush is suitable for many examples, but treatments and settings can change the advice. Protect bloodstone from harsh chemicals and excessive heat.

Those gemstone notes are not instructions for every birthstone-inspired piece. For the gold-plated cross necklace, follow its product guidance: keep it dry, avoid perfume and lotions, store separately and wipe gently with a soft cloth.

Explore your birthstone story

Compare other months in our birthstone jewellery guide by month, or browse the birthstone jewellery collection to find a shape that suits the person you are celebrating.

Gemstone reference: GIA’s March birthstone guide.