Aquamarine is beryl, the same mineral family as emerald, with iron standing in for chromium and turning the crystal the blue of shallow water. The Romans named it for the sea. Because the crystals grow large and clean, aquamarine became a favorite of Art Deco jewelers, who cut it into long geometric steps and let the clarity speak. Our March birthstone guide covers the stone from color to its best eras.
You will find that Deco affinity in this collection, alongside vintage and estate pieces from other decades and modern rings, earrings, and pendants. The most prized tone is the saturated blue the trade calls Santa Maria, but a paler aquamarine in a well-judged setting is its own argument. Our Art Deco jewelry collection is the natural next stop if the geometry is what draws you.
Beryl runs 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, which makes aquamarine one of the easier colored stones to live with: daily rings, everyday earrings, no special handling beyond mild soap and a soft brush. Details in our jewelry care guide.
Matching a stone to a different month? Our birthstone jewelry guide maps the year.
