December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon
December is a month wrapped in the warmth of festivities and joy. It has three birthstones—turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon—each with its unique narrative, color palette, and allure. As the month unfolds, celebrate the magic of your birth month with one of these magical birthstones. Whether you resonate with the calming energies of turquoise, the vibrant elegance of tanzanite, or the sparkling brilliance of zircon, December’s birthstones offer a timeless connection to the beauty and significance of winter.
Learn more about turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon and the best jewelry featuring these precious stones.
Turquoise
With its stunning blue-green hues, turquoise has been admired since ancient times. This gem is associated with the elements of air and water. It is a stone for communication, emotional healing, confidence, and relaxation.
Turquoise is found in Arizona, California, and Colorado, as well as areas in Nepal and Tibet. It has a rich history throughout the world. In ancient Egypt, turquoise held a special place in the hearts and minds of the people. The stone’s vivid blue-green color was associated with the vibrant hues of the Nile River, symbolizing life and prosperity. Egyptians believed that turquoise had protective qualities and regarded it as a stone of good luck.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a gemstone renowned for its enchanting blue-violet shades. Mined exclusively in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, this rare jewel is celebrated for its rarity and striking beauty.
Tanzanite is believed to be a transformative gemstone that represents spiritual wisdom, facilitates inner calm, and stimulates psychic abilities. It also possesses a unique characteristic known as pleochroism. This intriguing phenomenon allows the gemstone to exhibit a spectrum of colors when viewed from different angles.
Zircon
Often mistaken for cubic zirconia, zircon is a spectacular gemstone that comes in a variety of colors spanning red, yellow, blue, orange, and brown.
During the Middle Ages, this gemstone was believed to scare off evil spirits and promote a deep, rejuvenating sleep. Zircon is often associated with clarity and purity due to its transparent nature and the ability to showcase a spectrum of colors. It symbolizes a clear vision and a pure heart, encouraging individuals to see through illusions and embrace truth.
Zircon is found in Australia, as well as Canada, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and the United States.
Best December Birthstone Jewelry
Treat yourself or a loved one this month to one of these dazzling December birthstones.
David Yurman
Petite Chatelaine Pavé Bezel Ring
Got a taste for turquoise? This 18kt yellow gold ring glows with a large turquoise center stone surrounded by pavé-set diamonds.
Tiffany & Co.
Hexagon Pendant
Soak up the spiritual wisdom of tanzanite with this bold and contemporary Hexagon-shaped pendant in 18kt gold.
Blue Nile
Blue Zircon and Diamond Drop Earrings
Embrace your truth with these 18kt white gold earrings set with sparkling zircons and twinkling diamonds.
About The Author
Debbie Azar is the Co-Founder and President of Gemological Science International (GSI), one of the largest gemological organizations in the world, and a distinguished leader in the global diamond and jewelry industry. As an executive with extensive knowledge of the jewelry and gem lab industries, her entrepreneurial skills and vision have helped GSI achieve rapid and continuous growth worldwide, establishing 13 leading-edge gemological facilities on four continents. She currently serves on the boards of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, Responsible Jewellery Council, and Jewelers for Children, and is a member of the 24 Karat Club of New York. She has been featured in Forbes, Daily Mail, Good Morning America, Bloomberg, Bloomberg Businessweek, Fox Business, Fox5, CBS2, BOLDTV, Varney&Co, The Street, and NASDAQ, among others.
