March’s birthstone for the Pisces zodiac sign is aquamarine. Aquamarine is a light blue-green stone that gets its color from trace amounts of iron. The name “aquamarine” comes from the Latin for “water of the sea,” referring to its beautiful ocean-like color. Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family and ranges in color from light pastel blue to a deeper teal. The stone has long been associated with healing, calmness, and clarity.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Aquamarine
For centuries, aquamarine has been considered the stone of mermaids and sailors, believed to bring good fortune and protection at sea. Ancient Romans believed the aquamarine originated in the treasury of mermaids, and its mystical blue-green hue was thought to cool tempers and allow the wearer to remain calm and levelheaded in stressful situations. The serene blue color of aquamarine evokes the feeling of cool water, washing away anxiety and anger.
The ancient Greeks and Romans believed aquamarine had many positive properties. It was considered a symbol of youth, hope, health, and fidelity. Aquamarine was also thought to bring courage, calm, and clear communication. Some legends claimed it could cure illnesses of the heart, liver, stomach, jaws, and throat when worn as an amulet. During the Middle Ages, aquamarine was thought to counteract the effects of poison and aid in curing laziness.
Aquamarine continued to be a popular gemstone through the Renaissance era, decorated by royalty and nobles who considered it a symbol of calmness and serenity. Even today, aquamarine is regarded as a stone that can provide inner tranquility, instill confidence, and bring mental clarity. It resonates with the energy of the ocean, helping one connect with their inner truth and soothe turbulent emotions.
The March Birthstone Color Range
As the March birthstone, aquamarine displays a light pastel blue-green color. The primary color range of aquamarine spans from a very pale, icy blue to a slightly deeper blue-green tone. While some samples can exhibit a very faint tint of pink or yellow, most aquamarines lean towards a blue-green color akin to the hues of a tropical ocean. The deeper the color, the more valuable the aquamarine.
Here are the key color characteristics of aquamarine:
- Pastel light blue to blue-green hue
- Icy, sky, or ocean-like tones
- Translucent to transparent clarity
- No visible impurities or flaws
While very rare, some aquamarines can display a rich, deeper teal color. However, most exhibit a soft, airy quality and light blue-green color, like sun rays shining through sea foam. The name aquamarine itself references this association with beautiful ocean waters.
What Impacts the Color?
Aquamarine gets its soothing blue-green hues from traces of iron within the mineral beryl. The colors can range from pale, wispy blue to bolder green-blue tones depending on these key factors:
- Chemical composition – Iron content and oxidation state
- Cut style – Step cuts enhance color depth
- Source location – Some regions produce deeper hues
While fairly rare, aquamarine can also display yellow, pink, or red hues depending on additional mineral impurities. The most sought after aquamarine displays a clear sky blue or ocean-like teal with high clarity and brilliance.
Chemical Composition
The chemical composition of aquamarine is what gives it that light blue-green color. Aquamarine’s chemical formula is Be3Al2Si6O18. It belongs to the beryl mineral family along with emerald and morganite. The blue-green color comes from ferrous iron (Fe2+) atoms contained within aquamarine’s crystalline structure. The iron atoms absorb specific wavelengths of light, leading to the characteristic color.
The intensity of the blue and green hues depends on the amount of iron present and its precise chemical state. A very low iron content results in a pale blue color, while higher levels create a more vivid blue-green. Heat treatment and radiation exposure can sometimes alter the iron oxidation state and enhance aquamarine’s color saturation.
Cut Style
The way an aquamarine is cut can accentuate its naturally light blue-green tones. Aquamarine is very transparent, so cutting styles that allow light to pass through will maximize color depth. Step cuts like the emerald cut help highlight aquamarine’s blue and green hues through this light refraction effect. The long, open facets create clear pools of luminous blue-green.
Source Location
Natural variations in mineral content based on geographic source can also impact aquamarine’s coloration. Some deposit locations are renowned for yielding aquamarine with a deeper blue or green color compared to other sources. For example, gem-quality aquamarine is mined in Brazil, Zambia, Nigeria, Madagascar, Mozambique, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.
Brazilian aquamarine tends to have a bolder blue tone while African aquamarine exhibits more green. However, any location can produce pastel to mid-range blue-green hues. Heat treatment is also commonly used to intensify paler shades into a more desirable aqua blue.
Typical March Birthstone Color Chart
This chart summarizes the range of colors associated with aquamarine as the March birthstone:
| Color Family | Hue Range | Color Descriptors |
|---|---|---|
| Blue | Very light sky blue | Icy, airy, pale |
| Light pastel blue | Soothing, soft, wispy | |
| Medium sky blue | Ocean, tropical, bright | |
| Green-Blue | Blue-green | Sea foam, teal, electric |
| Greenish-blue | Mint, sea glass, greenish |
How Does Aquamarine Get Its Color?
In summary, here’s an overview of how the March birthstone aquamarine gets its signature sea-blue coloration:
- Aquamarine is a variety of the mineral beryl
- Trace amounts of iron (Fe2+) are present in the mineral structure
- Iron absorbs certain light wavelengths, resulting in blue-green color
- More iron = deeper blue/green color
- Cutting style enhances color depth and brilliance
- Source impacts exact hue from blue to green-blue
The serene blue-green tones perfectly symbolize the tranquil waters of March, the beginning of spring. Aquamarine provides a sense of relaxation and reflection during the Pisces birth month and serves as a fitting birthstone with its oceanic colors and soothing energies.
Conclusion
Aquamarine displays light pastel blue to blue-green hues that evoke the colors of the sea. Its color comes from trace iron content within the beryl mineral structure. More intense blue or greenish tones depend on iron levels, cut style, and geographic source. But in general, the March birthstone exhibits a pale, icy blue to mid-range ocean blue tone symbolic of soothing, cleansing water. Aquamarine’s sea-like colors represent tranquility and clarity, perfectly resonating with the dreamy, introspective nature of those born in March under the Pisces zodiac sign.
