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

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

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.
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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.
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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.
