Aquamarine: The Birthstone of March

Aquamarine, the birthstone of March, takes its name from the Latin aqua marina, meaning "sea water". Its transparent blue evokes the depths of the ocean, carrying within it centuries of maritime mythology. It belongs to the beryl family, making it a direct cousin of the Emerald, a mineralogical connection that few people know.

A stone of navigators in Antiquity, it is today one of the most sought-after gems for alternative engagement rings, thanks to its hardness (7.5–8 on the Mohs scale) and its unique colour. Aquamarine pairs particularly well with 18K white gold and rose gold. For a bespoke piece, our made-to-measure service allows you to select the perfect shade of blue.

This guide covers everything you need to know: maritime history, properties, a colour guide, a comparison with blue topaz, pricing and care.

The birthstone of March is aquamarine, a blue gem from the beryl family. Its name comes from the Latin aqua marina (sea water), and it has been associated with serenity, courage and fidelity since Antiquity.

Bloodstone is the traditional alternative birthstone for March, but aquamarine is by far the most popular in modern jewellery. The aquamarine-March association appears in the official 1912 list as well as in earlier European traditions.

The Romans believed that aquamarine originated from the treasure chests of mermaids. Sailors wore it as a talisman to ensure safe passage and calm stormy seas. Legend holds that aquamarine is most powerful when immersed in water: sailors would dip their stones into the ocean before setting sail.

In the Middle Ages, aquamarine was used as an antidote to poison. It was believed that the stone would change colour in the presence of toxic substances. European royal collections hold historic aquamarines. Queen Elizabeth II wore an aquamarine parure gifted by Brazil at her coronation in 1953.

In modern symbolism, aquamarine represents serenity, communication and marital fidelity. It is the traditional stone of the 19th wedding anniversary It is increasingly popular as an alternative engagement ring stone to the diamond, thanks to its unique colour, its durability for everyday wear, and its more accessible price point.

Aquamarine is a beryl (beryllium aluminium silicate, Be₃Al₂Si₆O₁₈). It shares this structure with Emerald, morganite (pink), heliodor (yellow), goshenite (colourless), and bixbite (red, exceptionally rare).

The blue colour comes from iron (Fe²⁺). The higher the iron concentration, the more intense the blue. Ferrous iron (Fe²⁺) produces the blue tone, while ferric iron (Fe³⁺) can introduce an unwanted greenish hue.

With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is harder than most coloured gemstones, making it ideal for everyday wear. It is more resilient than Emerald: equal hardness, but without the fragility caused by inclusions.

Hexagonal crystal system. Aquamarine crystals can reach spectacular sizes: the Dom Pedro (10,363 ct, 35 cm) is the largest in the world. Refractive index: 1.577 to 1.583, with low birefringence (0.005 to 0.009).

Aquamarine is generally very clean (eye-clean). Inclusions are far rarer than in Emerald. To explore the properties of this gemstone further, consult the full GIA aquamarine guide.

Santa Maria is the global benchmark for quality: an intense blue with no green undertone, historically sourced from Santa Maria de Itabira (Minas Gerais, Brazil). It represents the worldwide colour standard for aquamarine.

Santa Maria Africana refers to aquamarines from Mozambique displaying a colour comparable to Brazilian Santa Maria. A more recent discovery, with equivalent quality.

Espirito Santo denotes a medium blue, sourced from the state of Espirito Santo in Brazil. Excellent quality at a more accessible price point.

Pale blue / pastel is the most common on the market. A delicate colour, accessible price points, and popular for larger pieces.

The main origins include Brazil (Minas Gerais, the world's leading producer), Pakistan (Skardu, known for very large specimens and intense colour), Madagascar, Nigeria, and Mozambique. Naturally intense colour (without heat treatment) is the rarest and most valuable.

Natural blue topaz is extremely rare. Almost all blue topaz on the market consists of colourless stones that have been irradiated and then heat-treated. Aquamarine, even when heated, undergoes a far less invasive treatment. If natural colour matters to you, aquamarine is the better choice.

Topaz has a perfect cleavage plane, a structural weakness that makes it more vulnerable to impact despite its hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale. Aquamarine has no cleavage, making it more durable for everyday wear.

In crystal healing, aquamarine is associated with the throat chakra (Vishuddha). It is said to promote communication, ease stress, and bring emotional clarity.

In maritime tradition, sailors wore it for protection at sea. It was believed to calm the waves and ensure a safe return to port. It is also used in meditation to encourage inner peace and self-confidence.

In modern symbolism, aquamarine represents serenity, courage, and communication. It is the ideal stone for those born in March, under the sign of Pisces.

Colour (the defining criterion): look for a saturated, even blue tone. A pure blue with no green undertone is the most sought-after. The benchmark for quality is the "Santa Maria" grade.

Clarity: fine jewellery-grade aquamarines should be eye-clean. Unlike emerald, inclusions are not accepted in fine-quality aquamarines.

Cut: the cut has a tremendous influence on colour depth. A cut that is too shallow will lighten the stone. Emerald cut (rectangular with cropped corners), oval, and pear shapes are the most classic.

Weight: aquamarine is available in large sizes at reasonable prices. Stones of 5 to 10 carats are common. The price per carat increases significantly above 10 carats in intense quality.

Treatment: the majority of aquamarines on the market are heat-treated. The result is stable and permanent. A naturally blue colour (without heat treatment) is rarer and more expensive.

• Pale blue / pastel: $12–$35/ct, accessible and popular for larger pieces
• Medium blue (Espirito Santo): $35–$120/ct, a strong balance of quality and value
• Intense blue (Santa Maria): $120–$600/ct, the finest qualities available. Stones over 5 carats in Santa Maria quality easily exceed $350/ct

In fine jewellery (18K gold), aquamarine offers an exceptional size-to-price ratio. A beautiful 3 to 5 carat stone set in 18K white gold remains very accessible, unlike a blue Sapphire of the same size, which would cost five to ten times more.

Prices are indicative and vary according to size, colour, clarity, and certified origin. Aquamarine is an excellent alternative to blue Sapphire for considered budgets, with a refined, elegant result.

With a hardness of 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, aquamarine is exceptionally resilient for everyday wear. Harder than Emerald in practice, it carries no inherent fragility or "garden" inclusions creating structural weak points.

• Cleaning: warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush. Ultrasonic cleaning is generally suitable for aquamarine, provided the stone is clean and free of fractures.
• Sensitivity: aquamarine is generally stable in light (less sensitive than amethyst). Avoid, however, extreme thermal shocks and prolonged exposure to heat
• Storage: an individual jewellery case, kept separately from harder stones (Diamond, Sapphire) that could scratch it

Aquamarine is one of the most low-maintenance coloured gemstones available. Its durability makes it ideal for engagement rings and everyday wear.

Aquamarine and Emerald are both beryls. They share the same crystal structure and the same basic chemical formula. Only the colouring element differs: chrome and vanadium for Emerald, iron for aquamarine.

Aquamarine is more durable for daily wear than Emerald: no "garden" of inclusions, no structural fragility, and no oil treatment required.

If you are drawn to stones from the beryl family, discover Mayuri's signature Canopée gradient (tsavorite, Emerald, tsavorite). Morganite (pink beryl) and heliodor (yellow beryl) complete this exceptional family of gemstones.