What Is the March Birthstone? Aquamarine & Bloodstone

The Two March Birthstones at a Glance

If you were born in March, you have the rare privilege of two birthstones with very different energies. Aquamarine is light, watery, and calming, the stone of gentle truth-telling. Bloodstone is dense, grounding, and energising, the stone of action and resilience. Together, they balance March's transitional nature, bridging the dreamy depths of Pisces and the fiery beginnings of Aries.

This duality reflects March itself: a month of changing seasons, of the equinox, of moving from winter stillness into spring momentum. Whether you connect more to Aquamarine's calm or Bloodstone's drive, both stones carry centuries of meaning for those born in this transitional month.

Aquamarine: Stone of the Sea

Aquamarine is a blue-green variety of beryl, the same mineral family as Emerald and Morganite. Its colour comes from traces of iron, and its name comes from the Latin aqua marina, meaning "water of the sea." The finest specimens come from Brazil, particularly the state of Minas Gerais, where large crystals of exceptional clarity are found. It also occurs in Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Russia's Ural Mountains.

With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, Aquamarine is durable enough for everyday jewellery, including rings, pendants, and earrings. The most prized colour is a deep, slightly greenish blue called "Santa Maria," named after a mine in Brazil. Lighter, pale-blue stones are abundant and affordable.

Aquamarine Meaning & Symbolism

Aquamarine has been a symbol of clarity, calm, and protection for thousands of years. Ancient Roman sailors carried it for safe passage across rough seas, believing it was the treasure of mermaids that calmed the waters. Medieval physicians prescribed it for ailments of the throat, stomach, and liver. In folklore, it was placed under pillows to bring restful sleep and prophetic dreams.

The stone is most strongly associated with the throat chakra, the energy centre of honest expression, clear communication, and authentic truth. People who feel anxious before public speaking, difficult conversations, or interviews often wear or hold Aquamarine to steady their voice and find the right words.

Aquamarine Healing Properties

• Emotional calm: soothes fears, phobias, and anxiety, particularly around water, travel, or communication.
• Clear communication: helps with public speaking, expressing difficult emotions, and articulating ideas under pressure.
• Stress release: a "cool water" stone that helps wash away overwhelm and mental clutter.
• Travel protection: traditionally carried for safe journeys, especially over water.
• Throat & voice: historically used to support throat health and vocal clarity.

How to Wear & Use Aquamarine

Aquamarine works beautifully as everyday jewellery. A pendant rests close to the throat chakra, which is its strongest energetic match. A simple ring on the dominant hand reminds the wearer to speak with calm and clarity. For specific needs, hold a tumbled stone during meditation, place it on a desk during difficult conversations, or sleep with one under your pillow to invite peaceful dreams.

Bloodstone: Stone of Courage

Bloodstone, also known as Heliotrope, is a dark green chalcedony scattered with red or orange spots of iron oxide. The red flecks, resembling drops of blood against deep green, gave the stone its evocative name. It was highly prized in antiquity. Pliny the Elder described it in his Natural History in 77 AD, and it appears in ancient Egyptian, Babylonian, and Greek texts.

Medieval Christians attributed mystical properties to Bloodstone, believing the spots formed when drops of Christ's blood fell on green jasper at the crucifixion. For this reason, it was widely used in religious carvings, cameos, and seal stones during the Renaissance.

Bloodstone is found in India, Madagascar, Brazil, Australia, and the United States. With a hardness of 6.5-7, it is slightly softer than Aquamarine but still durable enough for jewellery, pendants, and worry stones. Its grounded, earthy energy makes it a favourite "pocket companion". Many wearers carry a small tumbled Bloodstone rather than wear it as a ring.

Bloodstone Meaning & Symbolism

Bloodstone is a stone of courage, vitality, and resilience. Associated with the root chakra and the planet Mars, it strengthens willpower, boosts physical endurance, and clears energetic blocks. Roman soldiers carried it into battle. Ancient healers used it to staunch bleeding and support recovery from illness. In modern crystal practice, it remains a go-to stone for anyone facing physical challenge, burnout, or a season of "showing up" despite resistance.

Bloodstone Healing Properties

• Courage & willpower: strengthens resolve during difficult decisions or challenges.
• Physical vitality: historically associated with circulation, stamina, and recovery.
• Grounding: anchors scattered energy, helpful during anxious or overwhelmed periods.
• Purification: said to clear toxic emotions and stagnant energy.
• Protection: traditionally carried to ward off negative influences.

How to Wear & Use Bloodstone

Bloodstone is often carried rather than worn. Slip a tumbled stone in your pocket on days you need extra resilience. As jewellery, it works well in pendants or grounding bracelets. Place a piece by your front door to "guard the threshold," or keep one on your desk if you work in a high-pressure environment. During meditation, hold it at the base of your spine or the soles of your feet to anchor your energy.

Aquamarine vs Bloodstone: Which Should You Choose?

If you can only choose one March birthstone, let your current life season guide you. Choose Aquamarine if you are entering a phase that asks for calm communication, emotional clarity, or steadiness under pressure: perhaps you are facing difficult conversations, presentations, or transitions. Choose Bloodstone if you need courage, energy, or grounding: perhaps you are pushing through exhaustion, starting something new, or holding firm in your boundaries.

Many people born in March wear both: Aquamarine as everyday jewellery, and Bloodstone as a pocket companion for harder days. The two stones balance each other beautifully: water and earth, voice and body, expression and action.

March Zodiac Signs & Their Stones

March spans two zodiac signs, each with its own affinity. Pisces (February 19 to March 20) resonates deeply with Aquamarine's watery, intuitive, soulful nature: Aquamarine amplifies Pisces' natural empathy while protecting against emotional overwhelm. Aries (March 21 to April 19) aligns with Bloodstone's fiery courage and Mars energy: Bloodstone strengthens Aries' natural drive while keeping them grounded.

If your birthday falls in late March, you may resonate with both at once, depending on the day and your rising sign. Trust your intuition: pick up each stone, hold it in your palm, and notice which feels "right" in this season of your life.

How to Cleanse and Charge March Birthstones

Like all crystals, Aquamarine and Bloodstone benefit from regular cleansing to release absorbed energy. Both stones can be cleansed with:

• Running water: hold under cool running water for 30 to 60 seconds.
• Moonlight: leave on a windowsill overnight during a full moon.
• Dry salt: place on a bed of sea salt for several hours (avoid wet salt as it can damage some stones).
• Sound: use a singing bowl, bell, or tuning fork near the stone.
• Smoke: pass through cleansing smoke from herbs like rosemary or lavender.

Avoid prolonged direct sunlight, especially for Aquamarine. Its delicate blue colour can fade over months of sun exposure. To charge a cleansed stone, hold it in your hands, breathe deeply, and silently set an intention before wearing or carrying it.