Aquamarine Jewellery: March's Pale-Blue Stone
Aquamarine is the pale blue stone of March, and it is one of the easiest coloured gems to actually live with. It is hard, usually very clean, and tough enough for everyday wear, which sets it apart from its more fragile cousin the emerald. If you want a soft, watery blue that does not need babying, aquamarine is a genuinely practical choice.
We set aquamarine in rings, pendants, and earrings at our Coquitlam bench, often for March birthdays. Here is what to know about the stone before you buy.
A tough member of the beryl family
Aquamarine and emerald are both varieties of the mineral beryl, so they share the same hardness, 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, according to the GIA. The big difference is what is inside. Emeralds are typically full of inclusions and fractures that make them brittle. Aquamarine usually grows clean and largely free of those flaws, so it is not only hard but reasonably tough, which makes it far better suited to daily wear than emerald. If you have read our piece on whether emeralds are durable enough for a ring, aquamarine is the easygoing opposite.
The colour, and why most are heated
Aquamarine ranges from a barely-there sky blue to a deeper sea blue. In the ground, a lot of rough has a greenish or yellowish tinge, so most aquamarine on the market is gently heated to settle it into a pure blue, a stable and permanent treatment that the GIA notes is standard for the stone. Deeper, more saturated blues are rarer and cost more, but even a strong aquamarine is a fraction of the price of a sapphire, so it is a good way to get real size and colour without a big budget.
| Property | Aquamarine |
|---|---|
| Mineral | Beryl (same family as emerald) |
| Mohs hardness | 7.5 to 8 |
| Toughness | Good, usually clean and not brittle |
| Colour | Pale sky to deeper sea blue |
| Typical treatment | Heat, to settle a pure blue (stable) |
| Birth month | March |
Everyday care
Aquamarine is low maintenance. Warm water with a drop of mild soap and a soft brush keeps it bright, and because most stones are clean, they usually handle an ultrasonic cleaner fine, though we still prefer a gentle hand wash. The one thing to avoid is prolonged high heat, which over a long time can pale the colour, so keep it off in a hot bath or sauna, as the GIA care guidance suggests. Our general jewellery cleaning guide applies here too.
Who aquamarine suits
Aquamarine suits someone who wants an affordable, wearable coloured stone in a calm, cool blue. It is a lovely March birthstone gift, a great pendant or pair of earrings where a larger stone stays affordable, and it can work as an engagement ring for someone drawn to soft blue, though a very active wearer might still prefer a harder sapphire. It pairs beautifully with white gold or platinum, which keep the blue looking cool, and with yellow gold for a warmer, vintage feel.
Key Takeaways
- Aquamarine is blue beryl, Mohs 7.5 to 8, and usually clean, so it is both hard and reasonably tough.
- It is far more wearable than its cousin emerald, which is brittle and heavily included.
- Most aquamarine is gently heated to a stable pure blue; deeper blues cost more but stay affordable.
- Care is easy: mild soap and water, and keep it away from prolonged high heat, which can pale the colour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is aquamarine durable enough for a ring?
Yes, for most people. Aquamarine is 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs hardness scale and usually grows clean, so it is both scratch-resistant and reasonably tough. It handles daily wear well, better than emerald. A very active wearer who is hard on jewellery might still prefer a sapphire at Mohs 9.
What month is aquamarine the birthstone for?
March. Aquamarine is the modern March birthstone, which makes it a popular birthday and gift stone. Its soft blue colour also ties it to water and the sea, which is where the name comes from.
Does aquamarine fade?
The colour is stable in normal wear, but prolonged high heat can pale it over time. Everyday sunlight is not a problem. Just avoid leaving it exposed to strong, sustained heat, such as a sauna or hot bath, and the blue will stay true for years.
Is aquamarine expensive?
It is one of the more affordable coloured stones. Pale blues are inexpensive, and even deep, saturated aquamarine costs a fraction of what a comparable sapphire would. That makes it an easy way to get a large, clean coloured gem without a big budget.
Sources
- GIA — Aquamarine (hardness and properties)
- GIA — Aquamarine Care and Cleaning
- GIA — Birthstones (aquamarine, March)
Data sourced 19 July 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will update the guide.
Visit Vanhess
We are a family-run studio at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam, with an on-site goldsmith. Come see aquamarine in a few blues and settings, or call us at +1 (604) 653-6449. Browse our pendants and rings, or ask about a custom March birthstone piece.
