Current:Home > ContactWhat is the birthstone for March? There's actually 2. Get to know the spring month's gems. -Elevate Money Guide
What is the birthstone for March? There's actually 2. Get to know the spring month's gems.
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:31:38
From St. Patrick's Day to Easter to the first day of spring, March hosts many celebrations throughout its 31 days.
March babies can bear one of two astrological signs: Pisces (born between March 1-20) or Aries (March 21-31). Two varieties of daffodil flowers also represent those born in March.
Each month has at least one gemstone. So, what about March's birthstone? It has two. Here's what to know about March birthstones, including their colors and symbolism.
March birthstone
Aquamarine and bloodstone are the two birthstones for March.
Aquamarine is a variety of beryl that ranges from pale blue to light green. The stone's name derives from the Latin "aqua" and "marina," meaning "seawater," according to the American Gem Society. Some faceted, or cut, aquamarines can be as clear as water.
This is not the only connection the gem has to the sea. Mariners once believed aquamarine could calm waves and protect sailors during their aquatic voyages, the Geological Institute of America reports.
The world's largest faceted aquamarine can be found at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The Dom Pedro aquamarine weighs approximately 4.6 pounds and was cut from a 100-pound stone in the late 1980s, Smithsonian Magazine reports.
The second largest cut of aquamarine belonged to former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. She was gifted the 1,298-carat, 2.86-pound gem by Brazilian president Getúlio Vargas in 1936, according to the International Gem Society. It is currently on display at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York.
Minas Gerais in Brazil has been a major producer of aquamarine for the last two centuries, the Geological Institute of America reports. Other mining spots include Pakistan, Madagascar, Myanmar, Ukraine, Colorado and California.
Aquamarine is believed to symbolize "purity of spirit and soul." It is said to bring happiness in marriage, according to the Geological Institute of America, and is a traditional gift for the nineteenth wedding anniversary.
Bloodstone is a variety of chalcedony, usually dark green with splotches of red hematite. The stone comes in two forms: transparent or opaque.
The name "bloodstone" has religious origins, with some believing the gem's pattern represents the blood of Jesus Christ, the Geological Institute of America reports. Its alternate name "heliotrope" derives from the ancient Greek for "to turn the sun." It was believed the stone, when placed in water, could turn the sun red, according to the American Gem Society.
Throughout history, bloodstone was associated with the Roman god of war, Mars. So, it is natural that the stone came to represent March, the month named after the god, the International Gem Society reports.
It was also believed that bloodstone would bring strength and health to those who wear it. Some see the birthstone as a good luck charm, according to the Geological Institute of America.
India is a prime source of bloodstone, but it can also be found in Brazil, Australia, China and the U.S., the Geological Institute of America reports.
What color is my birthstone?Learn which gemstone represents each month and what it means.
Want to learn more about other month's birthstones?
January | February | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Just Curious for more? We've got you covered
USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What are angel numbers?" to "What is my Zodiac sign?" to "How common is my birthday?"− we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.
veryGood! (15592)
Related
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Nick Saban cracks up College GameDay crew with profanity: 'Broke the internet'
- Paralympic table tennis player finds his confidence with help of his family
- Caitlin Clark is now clear ROY favorite over Angel Reese. Why? She's helping Fever win.
- The company planning a successor to Concorde makes its first supersonic test
- Tire failure suspected in deadly Mississippi bus crash, NTSB says
- Suspect, 15, arrested in shooting near Ohio high school that killed 1 teen, wounded 4
- Tyrese opens up about '1992' and Ray Liotta's final role: 'He blessed me'
- Jorge Ramos reveals his final day with 'Noticiero Univision': 'It's been quite a ride'
- College football schedule today: Games, scores for Saturday's Week 1 top 25 teams
Ranking
- Tree trimmer dead after getting caught in wood chipper at Florida town hall
- Suspect, 15, arrested in shooting near Ohio high school that killed 1 teen, wounded 4
- Are college football games on today? Time, TV, streaming for Week 1 Sunday schedule
- California lawmakers seek more time to consider energy proposals backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- California lawmakers seek more time to consider energy proposals backed by Gov. Gavin Newsom
- Clemson smacked by Georgia, showing Dabo Swinney's glory days are over
- Harris calls Trump’s appearance at Arlington a ‘political stunt’ that ‘disrespected sacred ground’
Recommendation
Most popular books of the week: See what topped USA TODAY's bestselling books list
Don't Speed Past Keanu Reeves and Alexandra Grant's Excellent Love Story
Pitt RB Rodney Hammond Jr. declared ineligible for season ahead of opener
Paralympic table tennis player finds his confidence with help of his family
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Venice Film Festival welcomes Pitt and Clooney, and their new film ‘Wolfs’
Remembering the Volkswagen Beetle: When we said bye-bye to the VW Bug for the last time
Jennifer Lopez Proves She's Unbothered Amid Ben Affleck Divorce