Pisces birthstone is traditionally aquamarine, the pale blue-green stone of the sea, with amethyst as the second traditional stone for the Fish's February days. Pisces spans February 19 to March 20, which means it sits across two birthstone months: amethyst, the February birthstone, and aquamarine, the March birthstone. Both stones have long histories, and both suit the Fish's watery nature — aquamarine for the calm surface of the sea, amethyst for its quiet depths. This page explains the two stones, their history and folklore, how to choose and care for them, and what they have traditionally symbolised — for reflection and enjoyment, not as medical or financial advice.
Aquamarine: the stone of the sea
Aquamarine takes its name from the Latin for seawater, and its colour — pale blue to soft blue-green — has reminded people of the sea for centuries. It is a variety of the mineral beryl, the same family as emerald, and its colour comes from traces of iron. In folklore, aquamarine was traditionally carried by sailors as a charm for safe passage, and it was said to calm storms and protect those who travelled by water. That association fits Pisces beautifully: the Fish is a water sign, and a stone named for seawater has an obvious poetry to it. Whether or not you believe in the old stories, the stone itself is lovely — clear, cool and light-catching, and it suits everyday jewellery as well as special pieces.
Aquamarine is a fairly hard stone, which means it wears well in rings, necklaces and earrings, though like any gem it deserves reasonable care. Clean it with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush, and avoid harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners if the stone has visible inclusions. Store it separately from harder stones such as diamond or sapphire so it does not get scratched. When choosing aquamarine, colour matters more than size: a smaller stone with a clear, even sea-blue colour is usually more beautiful than a large, pale one. The birthstone and birth flower finder can show the traditional stones and flowers for any birth month, if you want to compare Pisces with the months around it.
Amethyst: the February stone
Amethyst is the traditional birthstone for February, and it covers the first part of Pisces season, from February 19 to the end of the month. It is a purple variety of quartz, ranging from pale lilac to deep violet, and it has been valued since ancient times — royalty wore it, and it appears in religious objects and crown jewels across many cultures. Its name comes from a Greek word meaning "not drunk", because it was traditionally believed to protect against intoxication, a story that says more about ancient hopes than about the stone itself. In folklore, amethyst is associated with calm, clarity and restful sleep, and it is often kept by the bed or worn as a pendant for that reason. Those associations suit Pisces, a sign that values quiet and dreams deeply.
Amethyst is widely available and relatively affordable, which makes it a good first gemstone and a kind gift. Look for an even purple colour without brown or grey patches, and remember that very dark stones can look almost black in low light while paler stones glow in daylight. Clean it the same way as aquamarine — warm water, mild soap, soft brush — and keep it out of prolonged strong sunlight, which can fade some amethyst over time. A short scenario: a Pisces born on February 25 receives an amethyst ring for a birthday, and a Pisces born on March 10 receives aquamarine. Both are Pisces birthstones in the traditional sense, because the sign spans two months, and neither is more correct than the other. The Pisces sign page gives the sign's dates and traits if you want to check where your birthday falls.
What birthstones have traditionally symbolised
Birthstones carry layers of meaning that have built up over centuries, and it is worth knowing which parts are history and which parts are folklore. The modern list of birthstones was standardised in the early twentieth century by jewellers, drawing on much older traditions — including a list linked to the twelve stones of the high priest's breastplate in the biblical Book of Exodus, and to the signs of the zodiac. Aquamarine has traditionally symbolised calm, clarity and safe travel; amethyst has traditionally symbolised calm, sobriety and clear thinking. These are traditional associations, offered for enjoyment, not claims about what a stone can do. A stone cannot change your health, your luck or your future, and anyone who tells you otherwise is selling something. What a birthstone can do is simpler and real: it can remind you of who you are, mark a birthday, and connect you to a long human habit of finding meaning in beautiful things.
Consider The Star as a companion image for these stones: traditionally it speaks of hope, healing and calm after a difficult stretch, and its imagery — a figure pouring water under a starry sky — has the same quiet, watery feeling as aquamarine. Tarot and birthstones are both old symbolic languages, and they work best the same way: as prompts for reflection, not as predictions. If you are drawn to a stone, notice why — the colour, the memory it carries, the person who gave it to you — because the reason is usually more interesting than the folklore. A stone chosen for a real memory is worth more than a stone chosen from a list.
Choosing a Pisces birthstone gift
A birthstone gift works best when it fits the person, not just the list. For a Pisces who loves the sea, aquamarine is the obvious choice, and a simple pendant or pair of studs suits everyday wear. For a Pisces who loves deep colours, amethyst is the better pick, and a ring or a small carved piece can be beautiful. For a Pisces born near the boundary — around February 19 or March 20 — either stone is traditional, so choose the colour they would actually wear. If you are buying for a child or a young person, a small polished stone or a simple bracelet is often better than an expensive piece; the meaning is in the giving, and a stone that can be carried in a pocket is a stone that will actually be carried. For anything expensive, buy from a reputable jeweller, ask for a certificate for larger stones, and keep the receipt — those are practical steps, not superstitions, and they protect you if anything goes wrong. If a purchase involves significant money, take your time and, if needed, speak to a qualified professional rather than rushing a decision.
You can also pair a birthstone with a birth flower. The traditional birth flowers for February and March are the violet and the daffodil, and the birthstone and birth flower finder shows both together for any month. A small posy of violets with an amethyst gift, or daffodils with aquamarine, makes a thoughtful birthday gesture that costs little and means a lot. The dream dictionary tool is another pleasant companion if you dream about water, the sea or stones — Pisces often dreams vividly, and the old dream books have their own folklore about what such dreams might mean, offered for fun rather than fact.
Caring for your stones
Both aquamarine and amethyst are easy to care for, and a little attention keeps them beautiful for years. Clean them regularly with warm water and mild soap, dry them with a soft cloth, and store each piece separately in a soft pouch or a lined box so stones do not scratch each other. Remove rings before gardening, cleaning or heavy work, and keep jewellery away from perfumes, hairspray and household chemicals. If a piece has sentimental value — a gift from someone loved, a stone from a special place — consider having it checked by a jeweller once a year, especially the setting, so a loose stone is caught before it is lost. These are ordinary, practical habits, and they matter more than any folklore about cleansing or charging. A birthstone kept clean, safe and worn with affection is a birthstone doing its real job: reminding you, quietly, of the sea and the sky, and of the people who love you.
Pisces birthstone is, in the end, a small pleasure — a coloured stone that connects a birthday to an old tradition and to the sea that gives the Fish its name. Whether you wear aquamarine, amethyst, both, or neither, the choice is yours, and the stones will keep their quiet beauty regardless. Choose the one that makes you smile when you see it, wear it when you like, and let the rest be a pleasant story to tell when someone asks about it.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pisces birthstone?
Traditionally aquamarine, the pale blue-green stone of the sea, is the Pisces birthstone. Because Pisces spans February 19 to March 20, amethyst — the February birthstone — is also traditional for Pisces born in February. Both stones are correct, depending on the birth month.
Why does Pisces have two birthstones?
Pisces sits across two birthstone months: February, whose stone is amethyst, and March, whose stone is aquamarine. A Pisces born in February traditionally takes amethyst, and one born in March takes aquamarine. Either is a proper Pisces birthstone.
What does aquamarine symbolise?
Traditionally aquamarine symbolises calm, clarity and safe travel, and in folklore it was carried by sailors as a charm for safe passage. These are traditional associations for enjoyment, not claims about what the stone can do. Its name comes from the Latin for seawater.
What does amethyst symbolise?
Amethyst traditionally symbolises calm, clarity and restful sleep, and its name comes from a Greek word meaning not drunk, because it was once believed to protect against intoxication. It is the February birthstone and covers the first part of Pisces season.
How do I care for aquamarine and amethyst?
Clean both with warm water, mild soap and a soft brush, dry with a soft cloth, and store each piece separately so stones do not scratch each other. Keep amethyst out of prolonged strong sunlight, which can fade it, and remove rings before heavy work or cleaning.
Can a birthstone change my luck or health?
No. Birthstones are beautiful traditional symbols, not medicine or magic. They cannot change your luck, health or future. If you have a health concern, speak to a doctor. What a birthstone can do is mark a birthday and remind you of who you are.