March Birthstone: Aquamarine

Aquamarine is blue beryl, ranging from pale sky blue to deeper sea blue. March birthstone aquamarines are usually light to medium blue.

Its name means seawater, and its pale blue color has long been linked with calm seas and safe travel.

Deeper blue aquamarines cost more than pale ones, though pale stones suit delicate designs well.

Clean aquamarines with few inclusions are common, since aquamarine often forms cleanly. Visible inclusions lower value when centered face-up.

Aquamarine rates 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, hard enough for daily rings with care, and well suited to pendants and earrings.

Protective settings suit daily aquamarine rings, since even hard stones chip at exposed points.

Choose aquamarine by face-up blue color in natural light, preferring even color without grey or green zones.

Aquamarine suits March birthdays and nineteenth anniversaries traditionally, and pairs well with white gold and platinum.