Pisces Birthstone: Amethyst, Aquamarine or Bloodstone? How to Find Yours

on Sep 30 2026
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    Search for the Pisces birthstone, and one site tells you it's aquamarine, with total confidence. The next says amethyst. A third adds bloodstone, and somewhere a fourth mentions moonstone and yellow sapphire like nothing happened. Nobody explains why the answers don't match. So, which one is the real Pisces birthstone? Let’s find out.

    The Pisces Birthstone at a Glance

    pisces calendar birthstones are amethyst, aquamarine and bloodstone. Pisces zodaic birthstones are moonstone and fluorite. Pisces vedic astrology birthstone is yellow sapphire

    The Pisces birthstone is amethyst if you were born in late February and aquamarine if you were born in March. Bloodstone is March's older, traditional stone. Aquamarine is the one most sites name for the sign as a whole.

    Birth dates

    Stone

    Which list it comes from

    Color

    Feb 19 to end of February

    Amethyst

    February birthstone

    Lilac to deep purple

    Mar 1 to Mar 20

    Aquamarine

    Modern March birthstone

    Light blue to green-blue

    Mar 1 to Mar 20

    Bloodstone

    Traditional March birthstone

    Dark green with red flecks

    Pisces runs roughly February 19 to March 20. Sources move those dates by a day depending on the year, so if your birthday sits right on the edge, it's worth checking your birth year's exact cutoff.

    Why There Are Multiple Pisces Birthstones 

    You might think a birthstone has always been a stone linked to the month you were born. It hasn’t. The idea goes back to the breastplate of Aaron, a ceremonial garment described in the Book of Exodus. It had twelve stones, representing the twelve tribes of Israel.

    In the first century, historian Josephus connected those twelve stones with the twelve zodiac signs and the twelve months. St. Jerome made a similar connection in the fifth century. But people didn’t originally wear just one stone based on their birth month. The tradition was to own all twelve stones and wear a different one each month.

    Wearing only the stone connected to your own birth month became popular much later. Historians don’t agree on exactly when it started, although Poland often comes up in the story. Even then, there was no single agreed-upon list of twelve birthstones. Different lists were used for centuries.

    In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers, now known as Jewelers of America, adopted a standard birthstone list in the United States. British goldsmiths created their own list in the 1930s.

    That 1912 list is one reason Pisces can have more than one birthstone. Pisces falls partly in February and mostly in March, while modern birthstones are assigned by calendar month. So Pisces can be connected with February’s amethyst as well as March’s birthstones.

    The older zodiac-based tradition also continued. Today, these are often called zodiac stones, but there’s no single official list. That’s why you may see stones such as moonstone and fluorite associated with Pisces. Vedic astrology has its own tradition too, which connects Pisces with yellow sapphire.

    So when you see a website name “the” Pisces birthstone, it’s really choosing which birthstone tradition to follow.

    Calendar Birthstones For Pisces

    Amethyst, Aquamarine and Bloodstone Demonstrated Against Plain Beige Background

    Aquamarine: The March Birthstone Associated With Pisces

    The name says a lot about aquamarine. It comes from the Latin words for “seawater.” Ancient sailors believed the gem could calm the waves and protect them while at sea. It was also believed to bring happiness to marriages, which is why aquamarine is the traditional gemstone for a 19th wedding anniversary.

    Aquamarine belongs to the beryl family, the same family that emerald belongs to. Its color ranges from very pale, slightly greenish blue to a deeper blue-green. It can also grow quite large while staying clear. In 1936, Brazil gave First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt a 1,298-carat step-cut aquamarine. Today, that gemstone is kept at the FDR Presidential Library in Hyde Park, New York.

    When choosing an aquamarine, two things matter most: color and clarity. Color is mostly about what you like. Pale aquamarines look light and icy, while deeper blue stones look richer and usually cost more. Clarity is easier to judge. Faceted aquamarines are often very clear, so a stone that looks cloudy or has visible cracks is worth a closer look.

    Many aquamarines are also heat-treated to improve their color. This is a common treatment and isn't necessarily a problem, but your jeweler should tell you whether the stone has been treated.

    Aquamarine ranks 7.5 to 8 on the Mohs scale, so it's hard enough for everyday jewelry. It's softer than sapphire and diamond, though, which means a ring worn for many years can develop small scratches. Still, it's a durable choice if you want a gemstone you can wear regularly.

    Amethyst: The February Stone Pisces Shares With Aquarius

    An amethyst is also listed as an Aquarius birthstone. Aquarius covers the beginning of February, while Pisces begins on February 19. Since both zodiac signs fall in February, they share the same monthly birthstone.

    The name amethyst comes from a Greek word meaning “not intoxicated.” For centuries, people believed the stone could protect them from drunkenness. Amethyst is a purple variety of quartz. Its color can range from soft lilac to deep violet, and it ranks 7 on the Mohs scale, making it durable enough for everyday jewelry.

    There are two things to keep in mind when wearing amethyst: heat and light. Some amethyst can turn yellow when heated. Too much heat can also remove the purple color. Long exposure to strong light can cause some amethyst to fade, so it’s not the best choice for constant beach or outdoor wear.

    Amethyst can also be scratched by harder gemstones, such as sapphire and diamond. If you’re not wearing it, keep it in a separate pouch rather than letting it rub against other jewelry. When choosing an amethyst, look for an even, rich purple color. Stones with obvious patches of lighter and darker purple, called color zoning, or noticeable brown tones, are generally worth less.

    Bloodstone: March’s Older Birthstone

    Bloodstone was associated with March before aquamarine became the better-known choice. Older birthstone lists included bloodstone as the main stone and aquamarine as the alternative for March birthstone. Today, both British and American lists include the two stones as March birthstones, with aquamarine usually listed first.

    Bloodstone is a dark green chalcedony with small red spots caused by iron oxide. Its other name, heliotrope, comes from Greek words meaning “to turn the sun.” Ancient people believed that putting the bloodstone in water could make the sun appear red.

    The name “bloodstone” also comes from an old belief that the red spots represented the blood of Christ. Most bloodstone is cut into a smooth, rounded shape called a cabochon, rather than a faceted gemstone. Much of the bloodstone sold today comes from India.

    It ranks 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it a little softer than aquamarine and amethyst. Because it can scratch more easily, a protective setting such as a bezel setting is a good choice for a ring. If you’re a March Pisces and want something darker and less common than the usual pale blue aquamarine, bloodstone offers a very different look.

    Zodiac Stones Linked to Pisces

    These stones are determined by the zodiac tradition, not the birthday calendar. They're popular, but two of them need gentle handling.

    Stone

    Why it's linked to Pisces

    Ring-friendly?

    Moonstone

    Its soft look suits the watery side of the Pisces sign

    With care; better in pendants and earrings

    Fluorite

    Common on zodiac and crystal lists for Pisces

    No, it's soft. Pendants only

    Blue lace agate

    Pale banded blue that echoes water

    Yes, in a protected setting

    Yellow sapphire

    The Pisces stone in Vedic astrology

    Yes, sapphire is very hard

    How to Choose Between Them

    Your birth date tells you which stone is linked to your birth month. But how you plan to wear the stone can help you choose the right one.

    • Buying a gift and don't know the exact birthday? Choose aquamarine. It's the birthstone most commonly associated with Pisces; it's the hardest of the three, and its cool blue color works well with most jewelry.

    • Want an everyday piece? Aquamarine is the safest choice, followed by amethyst. Bloodstone is better in a protective bezel setting or as a pendant.

    • Born in March and want something different? Bloodstone gives you a darker, less common option.

    • Born close to the February–March change or can't choose? You can wear both. 

    • Love a stone that's not officially linked to your birth month? Wear it anyway. Historically, people owned all twelve birthstones and changed them throughout the year. So there's no rule saying you have to stick to one.

    A Date and a Decision

    Your Pisces birthstone may start with your birth date, but the final choice is yours. Your birth month can point you toward a stone, while your lifestyle, style, and how you plan to wear it can help you decide.

    And you don't have to choose just one. Birthstones were originally meant to be worn throughout the year, so wearing different stones in different months is true to the tradition. You might wear an amethyst ring in winter and switch to an aquamarine pendant in spring. There’s no reason your jewelry box can't have room for both.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    No. They’re different gemstones. Aquamarine is a type of beryl, while blue topaz is topaz. Most blue topaz gets its blue color through treatment. They can look similar in jewelry, but aquamarine is usually a softer, slightly greenish blue, while blue topaz often has a stronger, and even blue color.

    Because of zodiac stones instead of monthly birthstones. Zodiac stones are linked to the zodiac sign rather than the month you were born. Moonstone is associated with Pisces because of its soft, watery-looking glow. It isn't connected to Pisces because March is its birth month, so a March-born Pisces doesn't have to choose moonstone.

    Start by asking the seller a few simple questions. What exactly is the stone? Is it natural or lab-created? Has it been treated, such as with heat? For an expensive gemstone, ask for a report from a recognized gem laboratory such as GIA. And if a large, deeply colored stone is being sold for a low price, ask more questions before buying.

    Yes. Aquamarine is the better choice for everyday wear, while amethyst can also work but is more likely to scratch. A protective setting, such as a bezel or halo, can help protect the gemstone. Bloodstone and moonstone are softer choices, so they're often better suited to pendants or rings that aren't worn constantly.

    Birthstones aren't limited by gender, so it mostly comes down to your style and how much wear the piece will get. A bezel-set bloodstone ring or signet ring can be a suitable choice. Aquamarine works well in a low-profile ring or pendant, while deep purple amethyst can make a striking pendant.

    The stone's color, clarity, size, origin, and whether it's natural or lab-created all influence the final price combined. The metal also makes a big difference. Silver, gold and platinum have very different prices, and a more complicated setting will usually cost more too.

    It's better not to wear it in the shower or pool. A quick rinse usually won't hurt aquamarine or amethyst, but heat, chlorine, and cleaning chemicals can cause problems. Hot tubs and saunas are especially hard on amethyst, while chlorine and household cleaners can affect jewelry more generally. Soap and lotion can also leave a film on the stone and make it look dull.

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