The March birthstone is aquamarine — a pale sea-blue member of the beryl family, named for the colour of calm ocean water and carried for centuries as a sailor's talisman. Bloodstone is March's traditional alternate, but aquamarine is the stone the modern lists — and Alya Stone — lead with: ours is set in solid 9k recycled gold across the Aster and Ellis charm lines. Here is what aquamarine is, what it means, and how to wear it well.
What is aquamarine?
Aquamarine is beryl — the same mineral family as emerald — coloured a cool, watery blue by traces of iron. Where emerald is saturated and mossy, aquamarine is clear and pale: think shallow sea over white sand rather than deep jungle. The finest stones, like the celebrated Santa Maria aquamarines of Brazil, hold a slightly deeper blue, but the gem's signature is its limpid clarity. At 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale it is harder than quartz and very well suited to jewellery worn every day.
| Stone |
Aquamarine (blue beryl) |
| Colour |
Pale sea-blue, cool and clear |
| Hardness |
7.5–8 on the Mohs scale |
| Symbolism |
Calm, courage, clear communication |
| Star signs |
Pisces & Aries |
Meaning and symbolism
The name comes straight from the Latin aqua marina — seawater — and so does the meaning. Aquamarine has always been the stone of calm passage: Roman sailors carried it to quiet storms and guarantee a safe voyage home, and from that grew its wider associations with serenity under pressure, courage in uncertain waters, and clear, honest communication. It is a stone often chosen for people navigating a beginning — a new home, a new role, a new chapter.
History and folklore
Beads of aquamarine have been found in Egyptian tombs, and Greek and Roman lapidaries praised it as the treasure of mermaids, washed up from the sea-bed. Mediaeval Europe credited it with rekindling married love and sharpening the mind; oracles polished spheres of it for scrying. The great modern sources are Brazil — home of the legendary metre-long Papamel crystal found in 1910 — along with Mozambique, Madagascar and the high valleys of Pakistan. Its quiet blue has made it a favourite of royal jewellery boxes, including the aquamarine parure famously worn by Queen Elizabeth II.
Aquamarine and the star signs
March opens under Pisces (until around 20 March) and closes under Aries (from 21 March). Tradition pairs aquamarine's tidal calm with the Piscean depth of feeling, and offers it to fiery Aries as a cooling counterweight. As ever, we hold the astrology lightly — the month of birth is reason enough.
How to wear and gift the March birthstone
Aquamarine's pale blue is one of the most flattering stones against warm gold — the contrast reads crisp rather than loud, which suits the Alya Stone palette of quiet, deliberate pieces. Within the Curation Suite:
It makes a particularly graceful gift for a March birthday, a spring wedding anniversary, or the arrival of a March-born baby — a stone whose meaning (safe passage, calm waters) says what the giver means without a word.
March birthstone FAQ
What is the birthstone for March?
Aquamarine — the pale sea-blue beryl — is the modern March birthstone. Bloodstone, a dark green jasper flecked with red, is the traditional alternate.
What does the March birthstone symbolise?
Calm, courage and clear communication. Roman sailors carried aquamarine as a talisman of safe passage, and it remains a stone associated with serenity through change.
Is aquamarine durable enough for everyday wear?
Yes — at 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is harder than quartz and well suited to daily-worn charms. Warm soapy water and a soft brush keep it bright.
What is the difference between aquamarine and blue topaz?
They can look similar, but aquamarine is a beryl with a naturally soft, slightly greenish sea-blue, while blue topaz — December's stone — carries a deeper, steelier blue. See our December birthstone guide for the comparison.
How should I choose between the Aster and Ellis aquamarine charms?
The Aster frames the stone in ribbed gold as a single statement; the Ellis adds pavé detailing and is made to layer. Both are solid 9k recycled gold, made to order.
Read the full story of every month in our Birthstones by Month guide, meet the neighbouring months — February's amethyst and April's diamond — or browse the complete birthstone collection.
March Birthstone: Meaning, Symbolism & How to Wear It
The March birthstone is aquamarine — a pale sea-blue member of the beryl family, named for the colour of calm ocean water and carried for centuries as a sailor's talisman. Bloodstone is March's traditional alternate, but aquamarine is the stone the modern lists — and Alya Stone — lead with: ours is set in solid 9k recycled gold across the Aster and Ellis charm lines. Here is what aquamarine is, what it means, and how to wear it well.
What is aquamarine?
Aquamarine is beryl — the same mineral family as emerald — coloured a cool, watery blue by traces of iron. Where emerald is saturated and mossy, aquamarine is clear and pale: think shallow sea over white sand rather than deep jungle. The finest stones, like the celebrated Santa Maria aquamarines of Brazil, hold a slightly deeper blue, but the gem's signature is its limpid clarity. At 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale it is harder than quartz and very well suited to jewellery worn every day.
Meaning and symbolism
The name comes straight from the Latin aqua marina — seawater — and so does the meaning. Aquamarine has always been the stone of calm passage: Roman sailors carried it to quiet storms and guarantee a safe voyage home, and from that grew its wider associations with serenity under pressure, courage in uncertain waters, and clear, honest communication. It is a stone often chosen for people navigating a beginning — a new home, a new role, a new chapter.
History and folklore
Beads of aquamarine have been found in Egyptian tombs, and Greek and Roman lapidaries praised it as the treasure of mermaids, washed up from the sea-bed. Mediaeval Europe credited it with rekindling married love and sharpening the mind; oracles polished spheres of it for scrying. The great modern sources are Brazil — home of the legendary metre-long Papamel crystal found in 1910 — along with Mozambique, Madagascar and the high valleys of Pakistan. Its quiet blue has made it a favourite of royal jewellery boxes, including the aquamarine parure famously worn by Queen Elizabeth II.
Aquamarine and the star signs
March opens under Pisces (until around 20 March) and closes under Aries (from 21 March). Tradition pairs aquamarine's tidal calm with the Piscean depth of feeling, and offers it to fiery Aries as a cooling counterweight. As ever, we hold the astrology lightly — the month of birth is reason enough.
How to wear and gift the March birthstone
Aquamarine's pale blue is one of the most flattering stones against warm gold — the contrast reads crisp rather than loud, which suits the Alya Stone palette of quiet, deliberate pieces. Within the Curation Suite:
It makes a particularly graceful gift for a March birthday, a spring wedding anniversary, or the arrival of a March-born baby — a stone whose meaning (safe passage, calm waters) says what the giver means without a word.
Aster March Aquamarine Charm
From HK$3,280
SHOP →Ellis March Aquamarine Charm
From HK$2,080
SHOP →March birthstone FAQ
What is the birthstone for March?
Aquamarine — the pale sea-blue beryl — is the modern March birthstone. Bloodstone, a dark green jasper flecked with red, is the traditional alternate.
What does the March birthstone symbolise?
Calm, courage and clear communication. Roman sailors carried aquamarine as a talisman of safe passage, and it remains a stone associated with serenity through change.
Is aquamarine durable enough for everyday wear?
Yes — at 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is harder than quartz and well suited to daily-worn charms. Warm soapy water and a soft brush keep it bright.
What is the difference between aquamarine and blue topaz?
They can look similar, but aquamarine is a beryl with a naturally soft, slightly greenish sea-blue, while blue topaz — December's stone — carries a deeper, steelier blue. See our December birthstone guide for the comparison.
How should I choose between the Aster and Ellis aquamarine charms?
The Aster frames the stone in ribbed gold as a single statement; the Ellis adds pavé detailing and is made to layer. Both are solid 9k recycled gold, made to order.
Read the full story of every month in our Birthstones by Month guide, meet the neighbouring months — February's amethyst and April's diamond — or browse the complete birthstone collection.