All about December Birthstones: turquoise, zircon, tanzanite

Introduction to December Birthstones

What are the December Birthstones?

December is a month that offers a wide variety of birthstones, as it is the only month that contains three different gemstones—tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. Each of these three jewels has its own unique history, symbolic significance, and stunning color that makes them extremely valuable.  

What is the color of the December Birthstones?

The color of the December Birthstones depends on the birthstone type. The colors of tanzanite can exhibit a range of vibrancy, depending on the angle and the light source. This stone exhibits a spectrum of colors, from a deep, rich blue to a lighter, more periwinkle color, and occasionally appears to contain violet. Zircon is most often associated with a dazzling blue color, although it may also be found in green, yellow, brown, and red.

The blue variant, which is very valuable, is often a highly brilliant stone. Turquoise, after tanzanite, is most likely the second most popular blue gemstone. Its color spectrum includes shades of blue-green and Robin's egg blue. Turquoise is an opaque stone with unique lines.

What Is Turquoise?

Turquoise is a mineral composed of hydrous phosphates of aluminum and copper. Copper and iron give it its beautiful blue-to-periwinkle color. For decades, Indians and Persians have valued turquoise for its cultural importance and medicinal attributes.

What Is Zircon?

Zircon is a mineral with the chemical formula zrsio4 (Zirconium silicate). This gemstone occurs in a variety of colors, including blue, yellow, and brown. The high refractive index and great dispersion of zirconium make it sparkle. This modern gemstone is famous for its value as a diamond alternative.

What Is Tanzanite?

Tanzanite, a gemstone formed from zoisite, is mostly made of minerals such as calcium aluminum silicate. Its robin's egg blue to greenish-blue color comes from vanadium and trichroism, which makes it visible from different angles. 

The Origin and History of December Birthstones 

The Origin and History of Turquoise:

Turquoise has been one of the most expensive stones in the world for about 3,000 years. This beautiful blue stone was mined and sculpted before precious stones were considered "retail" materials because of their charm. It originated in ancient Iran, particularly in Nishapur-sourced "robin's egg blue" or "Persian blue."

New Mexico produced most turquoise in the early 1900s. Arizona and Nevada are the main sources, including Dry Creek, Easter Blue, Emerald Valley, and Fox mines. Arizona's Kingman Mine turquoise is famous for its vivid blue tone. Hubei Province in central China produces the most gem-quality turquoise, the December birthstone.

Turquoise has a rich history as a precious stone. The Egyptians and Persians valued it as jewelry and ornamental stone. Ancient Egyptian pharaohs and Chinese artisans admired the semi-translucent gem turquoise for generations due to its captivating blue and green colors and distinctive matrix veins. Wearing turquoise has several astrological benefits.

This gemstone was considered to have magical properties that protected its wearers from harm, particularly falls, and would shatter when danger was near in the 13th century. Some Hindu mystics further claimed that catching a glimpse of turquoise after seeing the new moon would result in endless wealth.

The Origin and History of Zircon:

Zircon, the oldest mineral, originated about 4 billion years ago. Sri Lanka is well-known for its rich gemstone heritage. This global treasure is mined in the country's mountains, forests, and meandering streams. It is abundant in central Sri Lanka's Elahera area. Among the many gem minerals discovered in this retain are quartz, ruby, alexandrite, sapphire, spinel, tourmaline, moonstone, and an abundance of gems.

Furthermore, Zircon was highly regarded during the Middle Ages for its claimed medical powers. It was believed to promote restful sleep and guard against bad spirits. In Hinduism, zircon was one of the nine jewels of the nava ratna, a protective amulet that provided health, wealth, and knowledge. Blue zircon was especially popular with Victorian-era jewelry admirers, and today you can find beautiful examples in English estate jewelry from the 1880s.

The Origin and History of Tanzanite:

Tanzanite is a stunning violet-blue gemstone that was discovered in the Kilimanjaro region in 1967. It was first mistaken for sapphire but later recognized as zoisite. Even though the brown variant of zoisite was identified in the 1800s, the violet-blue version was discovered in 1967, making tanzanite the newest DEC birthstone. Its extreme rarity attracts gemstone specialists and enthusiasts. It was given the name of its nation of origin and has grown in popularity due to its striking color and rarity. The Merelani Hills in Tanzania are the only known locations for tanzanite. The birthstone tanzanite is also well known as "velvety" because of its rich, vivid color, which may vary from deep blue to violet. However, its blue variants are in high demand.

December Birthstone Facts

Feature	Turquoise	Zircon	Tanzanite
Color Variety	Deep blue to periwinkle	Brilliant blue, also green, yellow, brown, red	Robin's egg blue to greenish-blue
Hardness	5 - 6 on the Mohs scale	6 - 7.50 on the Mohs scale	6 - 7 on the Mohs scale
Composition	Copper aluminum phosphate	Zirconium silicate	Calcium aluminum silicate
Symbolism	Healing, protection, friendship	Happiness, honor, knowledge, and fortune	Awareness, transformation, enlightenment
Care	Keep away from harsh chemicals and cleanse with a mild soapy water solution	Store separately and clean with a warm soapy water solution	Avoid extreme heat and clean with a mild soapy water solution
Rarity	Common	Moderately rare	Rare
History	Used by ancient Egyptians. Believed to protect against evil	One of the oldest gemstones. Renowned since ancient times	Discovered in 1967, Named after Tanzania
Birthstone	Traditional birthstone for December	Modern birthstone for December	Modern birthstone for December

December Birthstone Meaning and Symbolism 

Each December birthstone has its own different meaning and symbolism. The following significance is as follows:

• Turquoise is an old stone that symbolizes healing, friendship, and protection. It is supposed to provide good luck, tranquility, and balance to the wearer while simultaneously functioning as a strong healer.’
• Zircon varieties are believed to offer happiness, honor, knowledge, and fortune to those who wear them. They are also said to protect against negative energy and promote a restful night's sleep. 
• Tanzanite is regarded as a stone of deep transformation and spiritual progress. Many people claim that its stunning blue tone helps to calm and soothe the spirit. 

Benefits of turquoise as a December Birthstone

Turquoise, associated with the zodiac signs Sagittarius and Pisces, is considered to enhance intelligence and creativity while also boosting spirituality. It's more than simply a gorgeous stone. It's supposed to offer calm, protect its wearers, and help them balance and harmonize their daily lives. 

Benefits of Zircon as a December Birthstone

Zircon is commonly associated with the Aries, Taurus, and Sagittarius zodiac signs. People who wear it claim to feel healthier, more self-assured, and more aware of themselves. This December birthstone is believed to offer the wearer mental and emotional strength.

Benefits of Tanzanite as a December Birthstone

Tanzanite is associated with the signs of Sagittarius, Pisces, and Gemini in the zodiac. Many people wear tanzanite jewelry for spiritual and personal growth. Furthermore, this December birthstone is said to enhance the clarity of thought and inspire growth on a personal and spiritual level, as well as to promote enhanced consciousness, psychic abilities, and a stronger connection with the universe.

Where to Buy Online Authentic December Birthstone

Gemfly is well-known for its high-quality jewelry, which includes the December birthstone. Gemfly has an extensive collection of December birthstones in various forms and colors. Take a glance at some genuine December birthstone jewelry.

How to Choose the Perfect December Birthstone Jewelry

Use the following tips to choose the best December birthstone jewelry:

• Quality is key when picking a December birthstone: Choose a gemstone based on its appearance and unique characteristics like matrix patterns or inclusions. Get a bright, uniform shade of blue or green for your turquoise. Well-cut flaws increase zircon's shine. Bright blue tones make tanzanite appealing. Nevertheless, always verify whether the gemstone has had any treatment. Gemstones like tanzanite and turquoise are often treated to enhance their color and lengthen their durability. Treatment information is needed for maintenance care.
• Choose the style, symbolic significance, and kind of jewellery setting that complements your style: Consider the symbolic significance of each gemstone. Setting preferences like Turquoise, for example, looks beautiful in both classic and contemporary settings. Zircon, on the other hand, reflects light well in a broad variety of settings. Tanzanite, with its hypnotic tint, is an incredibly beautiful stone to wear in jewelry.
• Choose a budget for your preferred December gemstone and preferences: Due to its rarity, tanzanite could cost more than turquoise. Blue zircon, in contrast, is a budget-friendly choice.

Caring for Your December Birthstone Jewelry

To maintain its beauty, your December birthstone needs maintenance. Each December birthstone has its own maintenance guide. Explore how to clean your December birthstone jewelry.

How to Clean Your December Birthstone Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6. However, it may be treated to make it stronger, prettier, and simpler to clean. Chemically treated or colored turquoise may include additives such as acrylic or epoxy resin that make it tougher or change the color to a darker shade. Sometimes the stone has holes filled with metal-loaded epoxy, making it look like pyrite. 

To prevent wear and tear, keep your turquoise birthstone separately, and clean it carefully with a damp towel. Keep it out of harsh chemicals, severe temperatures, and harsh sunlight.

How to Clean Your December Birthstone Tanzanite Jewelry

The December birthstone Tanzanite is heat, light, and chemical resistant because of its Mohs hardness of 6–7. It cracks and scratches when exposed to severe temperatures or temperature variations. The gem is also susceptible to hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids.

Avoid hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids and hot temperature fluctuations to retain tanzanite's shine. Keep tanzanite jewelry separate and seek expert cleaning and inspection to avoid abrasion.

How to Clean Your December Birthstone Zircon Jewelry

The December birthstone Zircon, almost similar to the Mohs hardness of tanzanite, is heat-treated and can be colored blue, colorless, orange, yellow, or red. Most zircons keep their color under normal light, although heat-treated stones may become pale brown under bright light. Extreme heat has the potential to alter the color of zircon variants.

Even though zircon is chemically resistant, it is susceptible to abrasion. To keep your zircon gems in perfect shape, store them separately so they don't get scratched, and wipe them clean with a wet cloth regularly.

Caring Tips for December Birthstone Jewelry

Some basic and essential care tips for December birthstone jewelry are as follows:

• Clean Regularly: Use a clean, lint-free cloth to gently wipe your December birthstone jewelry after wearing it to remove oils and grime.
• Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid solvents, perfumes, and hair sprays that could harm December's stone accessories.
• Limit Exposure: Avoid wearing jewelry when exercising or swimming, which might shatter it.
• Loose Stones: Replace loose stones and take them to a jewelry expert for the greatest quality.
• Professional Cleaning and Annual Inspection: Professional cleaning and inspection can keep your December birthstone jewelry looking great.

 

Conclusion:

Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise are the birthstones for December. Each has its own history, origin, and benefits, making it a unique combination for people born in this month. Plus, the bright color, rich cultural significance, and unique characteristics of December's birthstones make them stand out in jewelry.

Whether you choose one of these stunning diamonds for your December birthday or a loved one's, it will make their special day even more wonderful.

 

FAQ

Q1. What does the December birthstone mean spiritually?

Ans. Tanzanite is the birthstone for December, and its deep blue color is considered to evoke feelings of serene and spiritual healing.

Q2. Why does December have 3 birthstones?

Ans. Originally, only zircon and turquoise were month December birthstones. The addition of tanzanite in October 2002, however, brought the total for December to three. 

Q3. What is December's luck stone?

Ans. Lucky gemstones such as zircon, tanzanite, and turquoise are associated with December birthdays.