December Birthstone Guide - Jewellery for December Birthdays
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Birthstone Guides
December Birthstones
Tanzanite, Turquoise & Zircon — A Triumvirate of Cool Blues & Radiant Energies
December is unique in celebrating three distinct blue gemstones: Tanzanite, Turquoise and Zircon. Ranging from deep velvet violet-blue to ancient robin's-egg turquoise and brilliant icy blue, these stones offer a rich array of optical beauty, ancient heritage and metaphysical protection.
Tanzanite
Velvet Blue & Exotic Pleochroism
Discovered in 1967 near Mount Kilimanjaro, tanzanite is a rare blue-violet variety of zoisite. It exhibits intense pleochroism, showing blue, violet and burgundy hues from different angles.
Historical Significance
Named by Tiffany & Co., it is found exclusively in a tiny 4km strip of land in Merelani, Tanzania, making it 1,000 times rarer than diamonds.
Key Properties
- Hardness: 6.5–7.0
- Rarity: Extremely high
- Symbolism: Transformation, intuition
Turquoise
The Ancient Talisman of Peace
Turquoise is an opaque hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminium, cherished for over 5,000 years for its iconic sky-blue to green-blue colour, often webbed with dark matrix lines.
Historical Significance
Worn by Egyptian pharaohs, Persian kings and Native American warriors as a sacred talisman of protection, good fortune and leadership.
Key Properties
- Hardness: 5.0–6.0
- Rarity: High for untreated stones
- Symbolism: Protection, healing, peace
Zircon
Brilliant Fire & Ancient Starlight
Zircon is a natural zirconium silicate gemstone famed for its intense fire and lustre. Blue zircon, the most popular December variety, produces a brilliant electric-blue sparkle.
Historical Significance
Zircon crystals found in Australia are the oldest known materials on Earth, dated to over 4.4 billion years old — pre-dating dinosaurs and early life.
Key Properties
- Hardness: 7.5
- Rarity: Moderate to high
- Symbolism: Wisdom, prosperity, honour
Direct Comparison
| Attribute | Tanzanite | Turquoise | Zircon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mineral Class | Zoisite (soro-silicate) | Phosphate mineral | Zirconium silicate |
| Mohs Hardness | 6.5–7.0 (moderate) | 5.0–6.0 (relatively soft/porous) | 7.5 (hard & durable) |
| Refractive Index | 1.691–1.700 | 1.610–1.650 (opaque) | 1.925–1.984 (very high fire) |
| Transparency | Transparent (vitreous) | Opaque to sub-translucent | Transparent (adamantine) |
| Primary Sources | Merelani Hills, Tanzania (only) | USA (Arizona), Iran, China, Egypt | Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar |
| Anniversary | 24th wedding anniversary | 11th wedding anniversary | December traditional birthstone |
Lore & Metaphysical Qualities
Tanzanite: Higher Consciousness & Spiritual Awakening
Maasai tribal elders give tanzanite to mothers upon childbirth as a gift of good fortune and new beginnings. Metaphysically, it is revered as a stone of elevated perspective, calming stress while encouraging deep insight and mental clarity.
Turquoise: Protection, Balance & Communication
Revered across ancient civilisations from Apache legends to Tibetan folklore, turquoise is believed to absorb negative vibrations and change colour to warn the wearer of impending danger or illness. It stimulates honest, heartfelt communication.
Zircon: Grounding, Clarity & Rejuvenation
Not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia, natural zircon has been valued since the Middle Ages to promote deep sleep, ward off evil spirits, and bring financial success and honour to those who wear it.
Care & Maintenance
- Turquoise care: extremely porous. Keep away from perfumes, soaps, oils and harsh chemicals, which can cause colour shifting. Clean gently with a soft dry or damp cloth only.
- Tanzanite care: sensitive to rapid thermal changes and ultrasonic cleaners, which can cause fracturing. Clean with warm soapy water and a soft brush only.
- Zircon care: harder (7.5), but prone to edge-chipping if knocked against hard surfaces. Store separately from other jewellery to avoid abrasion.
Have a birthday to shop for this December? Browse our hand-curated gemstone jewellery collection.
Shop Gemstone JewelleryDecember Gemstone Collector's Guide • Tanzanite, Turquoise & Zircon • Visual & Gemological Reference
