December Birthstone: Turquoise, Zircon and Tanzanite, Explained

The December birthstone is actually three stones: turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. All three come in shades of blue, which suits the coldest month. One of them is among the oldest minerals ever found on Earth. Another was only discovered in the 1960s.

Why December has three birthstones

Birthstone lists have shifted over the centuries. In 1912, American jewellers agreed on a standard list so everyone sold the same stone for the same month. December got turquoise, with lapis lazuli as a second choice in older versions of the list.

The list has been updated a few times since. Zircon joined later, and tanzanite was added in 2002. That makes December one of the few months with three stones on the modern list. You can see how the other months compare in our guide to every month's birthstone.

Turquoise: the classic December birthstone

Turquoise is a copper mineral. Copper gives it that sky blue, and iron pushes it toward green. The dark lines you sometimes see running through it are bits of the rock it formed in, called matrix.

The name comes from an old French phrase meaning "Turkish stone". The story goes that it reached Europe through Turkish trade routes. It's one of the oldest gems people have worn, in many cultures across the world.

Turquoise is fairly soft, about 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. It's also porous, so it can soak up oils, lotion and dyes. GIA's turquoise guide is a good read if you want the full gem-nerd version.

What turquoise is traditionally linked with

Turquoise has a long history as a protective stone. The story goes that travellers and riders carried it for a safe trip. Today people use it as a stone for friendship, honest talk and good luck. It's often linked with the throat chakra.

Zircon and tanzanite: the other December birthstones

Zircon

Zircon is a natural mineral, and it is not cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia is a lab-made diamond look-alike with a similar name. Real zircon has a bright, fiery sparkle of its own.

Here's the cool true fact. Some tiny zircon grains are more than four billion years old. They're among the oldest pieces of Earth ever dated. Zircon comes in many colours, but the popular December blue is usually created by heating brownish stones.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a blue-violet form of a mineral called zoisite. It was found in the 1960s in northern Tanzania, which gave it its name. It's still mined in commercial amounts in only one small area there.

Tanzanite shows different colours from different angles: blue one way, violet another. Almost all tanzanite sold is heated to bring out that blue. It sits at about 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, so it needs a little care in rings.

Is my turquoise real? An honest look at our shelf

Here's the honest part. Real turquoise is often imitated. Common stand-ins are dyed howlite, dyed magnesite, dyed jasper and plastic. Much genuine turquoise is also stabilised with resin, because raw turquoise is soft and porous.

Now about our own turquoise collection. Neither of the stones in stock there right now is true turquoise:

• African turquoise is actually a jasper, green-blue with black speckles. The trade name is old and widespread, but it isn't turquoise. It's a lovely stone in its own right, like this African turquoise bracelet.
• Turquoise Impression Jasper (Enhanced) is jasper that has been dyed to look like turquoise. The "(Enhanced)" label on the impression jasper bracelet tells you the colour was added.

We don't carry zircon or tanzanite at the moment either. We'd rather tell you that than sell you a look-alike. At The Rock Space, treated, dyed and man-made stones are labelled as such.

If you want a natural blue stone with a December link, look at lapis lazuli. It's deep blue with gold flecks, and older birthstone lists named it for December. The lapis lazuli bracelet is an easy everyday piece.

December zodiac signs and their stones

December is split between two signs:

• Sagittarius runs until about December 21. Turquoise is often listed as a Sagittarius stone. Browse more in the Sagittarius collection.
• Capricorn starts around December 22. Garnet and onyx are often listed for Capricorn. See the Capricorn collection.

Not sure where your birthday lands? Our free natal chart works out your sun, moon and rising signs from your birth time and place.

Caring for December birthstones

• Keep turquoise dry and clean. Put it on after lotion, perfume and hairspray. Wipe it with a soft, dry cloth.
• No soaking. Porous and dyed stones can lose colour in water or cleaners.
• Go gentle with tanzanite. It can chip with a hard knock, and sudden heat changes aren't good for it.
• Store pieces apart. Zircon's edges can wear when stones rub together in a jewellery box.

December birthstone gift ideas

A birthstone is an easy gift because the hard part, choosing, is already done. A few ideas from the shelf right now:

• A bead bracelet. The African turquoise and impression jasper bracelets above both give that turquoise look, clearly labelled.
• Lapis lazuli. A natural deep blue stone with a long December link. It's a good choice for someone who wants the real mineral, not a look-alike.
• Their own design. Pick the stones bead by bead in our Design Your Own Bracelet builder. A blue stone next to a clear or white one looks nicely wintry.

Shopping for a nearby birthday too? See the November birthstone just before December, or the January birthstone that starts the year again.

Know someone with a December birthday? Make them a free December birthstone card and send it by text or email.

Frequently asked questions

What is the genuine birthstone for December?

All three are genuine December birthstones on the modern list: turquoise, zircon and tanzanite. Turquoise is the longest-standing of the three.

What 2 months have three birthstones?

June and December are the two usually named. August joined them in 2016 when spinel was added, so on today's modern list there are three such months.

What is the rarest birthstone?

Alexandrite is usually named the rarest. Tanzanite is also scarce, since it's mined in commercial amounts in only one small area. Value depends on size, colour and clarity.

Which birthstone is the luckiest?

No birthstone is luckier than another. Turquoise has an old reputation as a good-luck stone, but traditionally the luckiest stone is simply the one for your own month.

Is African turquoise real turquoise?

No. African turquoise is a speckled jasper with a turquoise-like colour. It's a real natural stone, just not turquoise, and we label it honestly.

Come say hi

Blue stones look different in every light, so they're worth seeing in person. Visit us at 396 Victoria Street North in Kitchener and hold a few before you choose. Or browse the turquoise collection online.