Current:Home > MarketsWhat is the birthstone for March? There's actually 2. Get to know the spring month's gems.-InfoLens
What is the birthstone for March? There's actually 2. Get to know the spring month's gems.
View Date:2025-01-09 08:20:27
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! (232)
Related
- A Pipeline Runs Through It
- Ranking NFL division winners from least to most likely to suffer first-to-worst fall
- CDK cyberattack update: Select dealerships seeing Dealer Management System restored
- Lorde, Charli XCX’s viral moment and the truth about friendship breakups
- Catholic bishops urged to boldly share church teachings — even unpopular ones
- Germany’s game with Denmark resumes at Euro 2024 after thunderstorm
- AEW Forbidden Door 2024 live: Results, match grades, highlights and more
- Nico Ali Walsh says he turned down opportunity to fight Jake Paul
- Diamond Sports Group will offer single-game pricing to stream NBA and NHL games starting next month
- Biden is making appeals to donors as concerns persist over his presidential debate performance
Ranking
- Sofia Richie Reveals 5-Month-Old Daughter Eloise Has a Real Phone
- Louisville Finally Takes Stock of Abandoned Waste Dump Inside a Preserved Forest
- Looking forward and back as the Civil Rights Act turns 60
- Dakota Johnson Joins Chris Martin's Kids Apple and Moses at Coldplay's Glastonbury Set
- NFL playoff picture Week 10: Lions stay out in front of loaded NFC field
- US Olympic gymnastics trials recap: Fred Richard wins; who made team?
- Street medicine teams search for homeless people to deliver lifesaving IV hydration in extreme heat
- Madonna celebrates NYC Pride at queer music fest: 'Most important day of the year'
Recommendation
-
Caitlin Clark's gold Nike golf shoes turn heads at The Annika LPGA pro-am
-
Funny Car legend John Force opens eyes, five days after frightening crash
-
See them while you can: Climate change is reshaping iconic US destinations
-
Taylor Swift dedicates acoustic song to Stevie Nicks in Dublin: ‘She's a hero of mine’
-
Japan to resume V-22 flights after inquiry finds pilot error caused accident
-
Kin, community demand accountability for fatal NY police shooting of 13-year-old boy
-
Pac-12 Networks to go dark Sunday night after 12-year run
-
MLB trade deadline 2024: Another slugger for Dodgers? 4 deals we want to see