What is the December Birthstone?
December is one of the few months with multiple birthstones, giving people born in December several beautiful gemstones to choose from. The official December birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, while blue topaz is also commonly associated with the month.
Each December birthstone has its own unique color, symbolism, and history. Turquoise is known for protection and good fortune, tanzanite represents transformation and personal growth, and zircon is associated with wisdom, prosperity, and clarity. Whether you're looking for a meaningful gift, a birthstone ring, or a gemstone with spiritual significance, December offers a variety of options.
Note: Explore different natural crystals on our website.
December Birthstones at a Glance
| Birthstone | Color | Meaning | Hardness (Mohs) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turquoise | Blue-Green | Protection & Healing | 5–6 | Traditional Jewelry |
| Tanzanite | Blue-Violet | Transformation & Growth | 6.5–7 | Luxury Gifts |
| Zircon | Bright Blue | Wisdom & Prosperity | 6–7.5 | Everyday Jewelry |
| Blue Topaz* | Light to Deep Blue | Calmness & Clarity | 8 | Alternative Birthstone |
*Blue topaz is commonly associated with December and is often used as an alternative December birthstone.
Why Does December Have Three Birthstones?
December has three birthstones:turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite because modern lists were expanded to include both traditional and newly found gems.
This change gave people more options and reflected market trends and demand.
Turquoise is the traditional stone with long historical importance, zircon was added as a more affordable choice, and tanzanite, introduced in the late 20th century, became popular for its dark blue-purple color.
Evolution of Birthstone Lists
- Ancient origin: Linked to the Breastplate of Judgment in the Bible.
- 1800s: Tiffany & Co. promoted birthstones through a Gregorian poem
- 1912: National Association of Jewelers created a standard list, later updated
Reasons for Multiple Stones
- Mix of traditional and modern choices
- Marketing added more affordable options
- New discoveries, like tanzanite in 1967, expanded the list.
Why Does December have 3 birthstones?
Tanzanite Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism
Tanzanite is a rare blue-violet gemstone first found in Tanzania in 1967. As a December birthstone, it stands for transformation, knowledge, and new beginnings.
December Tanzanite Stone Meanings:
- Transformation & Growth: Sign of change and fresh starts.
- Spiritual Awakening: It is used to strengthens knowledge and awareness.
- Emotional Healing: It brings calm, peace, and release you from past pain.
- Clarity & Wisdom: It supports clear thinking and self-control.
Tanzanite Birthstone Associations
- Birthstone Month: December
- Zodiac Connection: Sagittarius, Capricorn
- Anniversary Gift: 24th Anniversary Gemstone
- Symbolism & Meaning: Transformation, intuition, calmness, spiritual awareness
- Colors: Blue to violet-blue, sometimes with red or purple flashes
- Popular Jewelry: You can use loose cut Gemstone and raw crystals in Rings, Pendants, Earrings, Bracelets
- Lore: Known as the “Stone of Transformation”
Varieties and Unique Features of Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite, best known for its deep blue-purple color. This mineral is found in Tanzania, it is one of the rarest gemstones in the world.
Varieties Of Tanzanite By Color
- Blue & Purple: The classic and most valuable type, ranging from sapphire-like blue to deep purple.
- Fancy Colors: Rare green, pink, yellow, or orange varieties, prized by collectors.
- Peacock/Chameleon: A greenish-yellow type with shifting tones.
- Color-Change: Rare gems that shift from blue in daylight to purple in warm light.
- Unheated: Naturally blue-purple stones, extremely rare since most are heat-treated.
Unique Features
- Trichroism: Shows blue, purple, and brown/yellow tones from different angles. Skilled cutting highlights the best color.
- Rarity: Found only in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro, Tanzania.
- Color Treatments: Most stones are heat-treated to achieve their vivid hues.
- Hardness: it has the hardness of 6.5–7 on the Mohs scale, softer than sapphire, making it better for occasional wear.
- Lighting Effect: Looks bluer in daylight and more purple in warm light.
Healing and Metaphysical Benefits of Tanzanite Crystals
Tanzanite crystal is known as a stone of transformation, inner peace, and spiritual growth. It is believed to calm the mind, support emotional healing, and awaken higher knowledge.
Metaphysical Properties
- Spiritual Awakening: It supports meditation, higher consciousness, and spiritual purpose.
- Intuition: Strengthens inner guidance and psychic abilities.
- Chakra Activation: Connects with the Third Eye and Crown chakras for insight and awareness.
- New Beginnings: Helps with life changes and personal growth.
Emotional & Mental Benefits
- Inner Peace: It brings calm, balance, and mental clarity.
- Emotional Healing: It aids in releasing past trauma and negative patterns.
- Self-Expression: Builds confidence and clear communication.
Physical Benefits
- It relief your stress, reduce tension and anxiety.
- Immune Support: It linked to strengthening the immune system.
- Detoxification: It Believed to aid overall cleansing and vitality.
December Birthstone: Turquoise Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism
- Healing & Balance: It is belived to calm the mind, reduce stress, and support emotional healing.
- Protection: In many traditions, it is believed to guard against the evil eye and provide safety.
- Hope & Creativity: Inspires ambition, creativity, forgiveness, and kindness.
-
Friendship & Love: In Europe, turquoise rings symbolize “forget me not” and are often given as tokens of love or friendship.
Turquoise Birthstone Associations
- Birthstone Month: December
- Zodiac Connection: Sagittarius, Pisces
- Anniversary Gift: 11th Anniversary Gemstone
- Symbolism & Meaning: Protection, wisdom, healing, friendship
- Colors: Sky Blue, Greenish Blue, Teal
- Popular Jewelry: Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Cuff Jewelry
- Lore: One of the oldest known gemstones, symbol of luck and protection
Varieties and Origins of Turquoise
Turquoise forms in dry, desert regions around the world, with major sources in the Southwestern U.S., Iran, and Mexico.
Notable Varieties
- Sleeping Beauty (Arizona): It is known for its clear, pure sky-blue color.
- Persian (Iran): It is highly valued for its bright blue tones and historical importance.
- Carico Lake (Nevada): Noted for green shades, sometimes with golden shades.
- Royston (Nevada/Arizona): Shows blue-green mixes with fine “spiderweb” patterns.
Healing and Metaphysical Benefits of Turquoise
Healing Properties ( Emotional and Mental)
- Brings emotional balance and calm
- Supports mental clarity and focus
- Helps release stress and encourages forgiveness
Metaphysical Benefits
- Protects against negative energies
- Connected to the Throat chakra for clear communication
- Strengthens self-expression and creativity
December Birthstone: Zircon Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism
Symbolism of Zircon
- Wisdom & Prosperity: Brings wealth, success, and knowledge.
- Spiritual Growth: Deepens insight and supports the spiritual path.
- Confidence & Clarity: Builds courage and clear thinking.
- Protection: Keeps away negativity and misfortune.
- Honesty & Purity: Stands for truth and sincerity.
Zircon Birthstone Associations
- Birthstone Month: December
- Zodiac Connection: Sagittarius
- Anniversary Gift: 10th Anniversary Gemstone
- Symbolism & Meaning: Wisdom, prosperity, confidence, spiritual grounding
- Colors: Blue (most popular for December), Yellow, Green, Red, Clear
- Popular Jewelry: Earrings, Rings, Pendants
- Lore: Known for brilliance and fire, often mistaken for diamond
Types and Varieties of Zircon
Zircon Types by Color
- Blue: It is the most popular color of zircon, which is oftenly made by heating brown stones.Most popular, often made by heating brown stones.
- Colorless: this is very bright and you can also used it instead of diamond (Matura Diamond)
-
Brown: This is the common color of zircon crystal, it available in very low cost and it is often heated to change its color.
-
Yellow & Orange: The orange and yellow color of zircon are more affordable
-
Red & Pink: These are very rare and higly valuable gemstone.
- Green: There are also rare sometimes their color comes natural, sometimes heated.
Zircon Types by Structure
- High-Type These type of zircon are strong and clear crystal, these are used in most jewelry.
- Intermediate-Type These are partly changed by radiation, with mixed traits.
- Low-Type (Metamict) these are Heavily changed by radiation, weak or broken crystal form.
Healing and Metaphysical Benefits of Zircon
- Healing (Emotional, Mental & Physical)
- Brings calm and emotional balance
- Clears the mind and improves focus
- Helps reduce stress and negative vibes.
- Believed to support sleep and ease pain in some traditions.
Metaphysical (Spiritual & Energetic)
- It is linked with knowledge, truth, and spiritual growth
- It strengthens confidence and self-expression
- It will protects against negativity and misfortune
- Connected to purity, honesty, and clear communication
Ready to find your perfect December birthstone?
Browse Folkmarket's exclusive collection of rare tanzanite, authentic turquoise, brilliant zircon, and handcrafted birthstone jewelry.
Shop December Birthstones ➔Best December Birthstone Jewelry Gift Ideas
- Tanzanite pendant: You can wear it casually
- Turquoise cuff bracelet: Best to wear on weddings and in parties
- Blue zircon stud earrings: These looks very bright and suits on all types of skin color
- Stackable birthstone ring: Best for December birthstone
- Halo ring: These rings are surrounded by smaller stones.
- Turquoise bead necklace: Colorful statement piece.
- Zircon drop earrings: It has a classic evening style.
Discover Your Perfect December Birthstone
Whether you love the timeless beauty of turquoise, the rare brilliance of tanzanite, or the sparkling charm of zircon, explore Folkmarket's collection of authentic gemstones, handcrafted jewelry, and natural crystals designed to celebrate December birthdays.
Tips:
- Tanzanite and turquoise are softer, best in pendants or earrings.
- Match the metal (gold, silver, platinum) to their style.
- Deeper colors = higher value.
- Turquoise is budget-friendly; tanzanite & zircon are pricier.
Shop December Birthstone Collection with Folkmarket
How to Order:
- Browse our December Collection__Discover Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Blue Zircon jewelry and loose stones.
- Pick your favorite piece – Add it to your cart.
- Checkout securely – Enter your shipping details.
- Choose payment method – Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Bank Transfer, or PayPal (on request).
- Receive with care – Get your gem safely shipped with tracking.
- Celebrate December with a gift of authentic beauty and timeless meaning from Folkmarket.
Conclusion
Each December birthstone is special. Tanzanite is rare and dark in color, turquoise is historic and known for its sky-blue shades, and zircon is bright and shiny. Your choice depends on whether you want rarity, tradition, or brilliance, these all are perfect picks for December.
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