People who were born in December have a particularly exciting choice of birthstones. Unlike some other months that have only a single gemstone associated with them, December birthdays have no less than three options – Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon.
Turquoise is a well-known gemstone that is one of the oldest ever to be mined. Famous for its stunning colour, it ranges between apple green and sky blue shades, although the robin egg blue is the most popular.
Only relatively recently discovered, Tanzanite is a standout gem thanks to its “trichroism”, that creates the impression of changing colour from violet to blue in the light. Naturally a purple-brown colour, it is treated with heat to enhance its blue-violet hue. Rated on the Mohs hardness scale at 6.5, it is around the same hardness as Opal, but fairly brittle because of the crystal lattice.
Although often mistaken for cubic zirconia due to the similarity of name, Zircon is actually a natural gemstone that is somewhat overlooked. Available in many colours, the shade most associated with December is its beautiful blue variation.
All three of these December birthstones look stunning when set into gold or silver jewellery. A piece of Turquoise, Tanzanite, or Zircon birthstone jewellery is an ideal choice for a special someone on the occasion of their December birthday.
Where Do December Birthstones Come From?
Found in barren and dry areas, turquoise was originally mined in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula region, although it has also been mined for over a thousand years in Iran’s Nishapur district too. Today, China produces a lot of turquoise, as does the USA, with Nevada and Arizona being the locations of the biggest American turquoise mines.
As you may be able to determine from its name, Tanzanite is from Tanzania and can only be found in one small region of the country, making it rare. Mining the stone and selling it is strictly regulated by the country’s government, and that means the Tanzanite industry is ethical and sustainable with the country’s local communities and economy benefiting from the sale and production of this gem.
Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, with its Australian sources dating back over 4 billion years. Today, Australia remains the heart of all Zircon mining, producing 37% of the global supply, although there are other sources including Sri Lanka, Thailand, Tanzania, Canada, the USA, and Cambodia.
How Do I Choose The Perfect December Birthstone?
Since there are three different December birthstones to choose from, your first decision needs to be which of the three options you want to opt for. Since all three stones look very different, it will probably be a decision based on appearance.
If you decide to go for turquoise, it’s important to know that it comes in many types. Natural turquoise will be polished and cut but not treated and will often feature blotches or veins. This is the highest quality type of turquoise, although stabilised or treated turquoise is also popular. Much of the turquoise available for sale is colour enhanced or block turquoise, both of which are lower in quality.
Tanzanite ranges from deep blue hues, similar to a Sapphire, right through to light violet-blues. Due to the trichorism, it often appears violet, blue-violet, or blue when you look at it from various angles. Larger Tanzanite stones are usually a more intense blue when compared with smaller ones which typically have a lighter violet tone. High grade Tanzanite stones are more affordable than Sapphires of a similar size, but each gem must be assessed according to its cut, colour, and clarity on an individual basis.
The clarity of the stone is actually most important when choosing Tanzanite, as it has a glassy vitreous lustre and, therefore, any cloudiness renders the stone undesirable. Stones that have large inclusions visible to the naked eye are best avoided.
Although Zircon comes in several colours, including gold, clear, and pink, if you’re going to choose it as a December birthstone, you should opt for the blue version. A quality blue Zircon should appear clear and lustrous, with stones with higher transparency being more coveted and valuable.
December Birthstone Meanings And History
Turquoise is one of the oldest gems and was often worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt. Over three thousand years ago, Chinese artists were carving turquoise and Native American tribes have been using turquoise to make jewellery and ceremonial masks for centuries. This gemstone is associated with the qualities of wisdom, hope, tranquillity, good fortune and protection. Both the Persians and Turks believed that turquoise has protective powers to conquer fears while ancient Greek girls wore turquoise to symbolise their purity.
Although Tanzanite wasn’t discovered by the West until the late 1960s, the mineral was already known by the Masai tribes in its natural purple-brown form, and often used it to make amulets. There is a belief that Tanzanite can break down negativity and turn it into positivity, and that it can dispel idleness and laziness.
It has also been said to help the wearer find the ideal balance of actualisation and personal power, stimulating the wearer’s will so they can manifest the things they desire. Today, it’s a popular gemstone choice for all types of silver and gold jewellery and it is often worn by celebrities such as Cate Blanchett, who wore a huge Tanzanite necklace when appearing at the Cannes Film Festival in 2012.
During the medieval period, Zircon was worn to promote restful sleep, bringing the wearer wisdom, honour and prosperity. Today, it is said to boost self-confidence and foster self-love since it can bring compassion and open the heart. Known as a grounding stone, Zircon can inspire, motivate, and give essential guidance to achieve your goals.
December Birthstone Jewellery – The Perfect Choice
If you’re looking for an ideal gift for someone special with a December birthday, Turquoise, Tanzanite or Zircon birthstone jewellery won’t disappoint. You can choose from Pandora charms, elegant silver birthstone jewellery, or luxurious gold pieces to suit the taste of your loved one. There’s no better way to celebrate and to show the recipient just how important they really are to you.
