Learn About December Birthstone Jewelry: Blue Topaz, Zircon, Tanzanite and Turquoise

When exploring December birthstones, you'll often find three: turquoise, tanzanite, and blue zircon. However, modern gemology and tradition now widely recognize four stunning blue gems for this month, expanding the choice to include the serene blue topaz. Together, these stones offer a rich palette of meaning and history. Discover the perfect December birthstone jewelry with Juyoyo as we delve into each gem's unique story.

• Turquoise: The ancient guardian, revered for its spirituality and protective powers.
• Tanzanite: A stone of modern discovery, it embodies transformation and vivid dreams.
• Blue Zircon: It is known for its brilliance and wisdom, and it holds mysteries within its glow.
• Blue Topaz: A contemporary symbol of serenity, it brings clarity and calm.

What is December’s Birthstone?

December’s birthstones are traditionally turquoise, tanzanite, and blue zircon, with blue topaz also widely recognized in modern times. These four gems, all in shades of blue that echo the winter season, carry rich symbolism: turquoise represents protection and healing, tanzanite embodies transformation and spiritual growth, blue zircon is linked to clarity and wisdom, and blue topaz conveys calmness, loyalty, and abundance.

Why Does December Have Multiple Birthstones?

December's unique distinction stems from a blend of ancient traditions and modern updates. Turquoise and zircon were historically recognized as the traditional birthstones, and tanzanite was added in the 20th century after its discovery and popularization. Today, blue topaz is also embraced for its beauty, affordability, and availability. This ensures that everyone can find a December birthstone that resonates with their personal style and story.

What is the Color of the December Birthstone?

The color theme for December birthstones is typically blue. December birthstones (blue topaz, blue zircon, tanzanite, and turquoise) are popular for their blue appearance.

• Blue Topaz: Typically a vivid blue, ranging from light to deep shades. The most desirable shade is the rich, intense blue often called "Swiss blue" or "London blue.
• Zircon: Typically comes in blue (the most popular for December), but can also be found in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, orange, green, and red.
• Tanzanite: A striking purplish-blue or deep blue gemstone prized for its pleochroism (color-changing properties under different lighting).
• Turquoise: Known for its sky blue to greenish-blue color, often with unique veining or matrix patterns.

Blue Topaz Birthstone

What is Blue Topaz?

Blue topaz is a modern December birthstone known for its serene blue color. It belongs to a variety of the mineral topaz, which is a silicate mineral that comes in a range of colors. Blue topaz can range in shades from pale sky blue to deep Swiss blue, with the most prized and valuable being a vibrant and intense blue color. London blue topaz is the specific topaz known for its deep and intense blue color. Its blue color comes from trace elements in the crystal structure, such as iron and chromium. Naturally occurring blue topaz is quite rare and usually has a very pale blue color and is often confused with aquamarine.

Continue reading: Blue Topaz vs. Aquamarine: Key Differences You Need to Know

Where is Blue Topaz found?

Blue topaz is found primarily in Brazil, Sri Lanka, Nigeria, Mexico, and the United States.

Why is Blue Topaz the December Birthstone?

Blue topaz is one of the modern birthstones associated with the month of December. It has become a popular alternative birthstone for the month because of its blue color, which is associated with winter and the holiday season.

What Does the Gemstone Blue Topaz Symbolize?

Blue topaz is believed to symbolize loyalty, wisdom, love, and happiness. Wearing blue topaz jewelry is said to help relieve stress, anxiety, and emotional turmoil. The calming and soothing qualities of blue topaz are also considered beneficial during the festive and often hectic holiday season.

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Blue Topaz Physical Properties

Blue Zircon Birthstone

What is Blue Zircon?

Blue zircon is also one of the modern December birthstone gemstones known for its intense blue color and brilliant sparkle. Zircon is a mineral belonging to the nesosilicate group and is a source of the metal zirconium. Blue zircon is one of the most popular and sought-after varieties.

There is a confusion point whether cubic zircon belongs to the zircon family. The answer is no! Zircon is a natural gemstone, while cubic zircon is a synthetic gemstone known for its diamond-like appearance.

Continue reading: Cubic Zirconia vs. Moissanite - The Ultimate Comparison

Where is Blue Zircon Found?

Blue Zircon is found primarily in Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (Burma), Australia, Tanzania, and Thailand. It can also be found in other locations around the world, including Brazil, Madagascar, and Vietnam.

What Does the Gemstone Blue Zircon Symbolize?

Blue Zircon represents clarity, purity, wisdom, insight, protection, prosperity, communication, and self-expression. Wearing blue zirconia jewelry can bring a sense of positivity and upliftment to the wearer.

Blue Zircon Physical Properties

Tanzanite Birthstone

What is Tanzanite?

Tanzanite is also one of the modern birthstones for December. Tanzanite, "Gem of Generation," is considered one of the most valuable gemstones in the world. It was discovered relatively recently in 1967 in Tanzania, Africa. It is a variety of the mineral zoisite and is known for its stunning blue to violet-blue color, which can exhibit pleochroism, displaying different colors when viewed from different angles. Tanzanite is prized for its vivid and intense blue to violet-blue color, ranging from deep blue to purple hues.

Where is Tanzanite Found?

Tanzanite is a rare gemstone found only in a small mining area in Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro, the Merelani Hills of the Manyara Region in Tanzania. The limited supply of Tanzanite adds to its value and desirability.

What Does the Gemstone Tanzanite Symbolize?

Tanzanite symbolizes transformation, spiritual growth, healing, and protection. Tanzanite also has calming and soothing properties that help reduce stress and anxiety. Wearing tanzanite jewelry is said to offer protection from negative energies and bring inner peace to the wearer.

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Tanzanite Physical Properties

Turquoise Birthstone

What is Turquoise?

Turquoise is a traditional December birthstone gemstone known for its unique blue-green color, ranging from sky blue to greenish-blue shades. It is a phosphate mineral of copper and aluminum that is typically opaque with the chemical formula CuAl6(PO4)4(OH)8-4H2O. This makes it exhibit a range of patterns and variations in color due to the presence of mineral impurities.

Turquoise is considered to be one of the oldest gemstones in human history. The word "turquoise" is derived from the French word "Pierre turquoise", which translates to "Turkish stone". This is because the gemstone was first brought to Europe via Turkey from the Middle East, specifically Iran (formerly Persia).

Where is Turquoise Found?

Turquoise is found in various places around the world, with significant deposits in countries such as the United States (particularly Arizona, Nevada, and New Mexico), Iran, China, and Mexico, among others.

What Does the Gemstone Turquoise Symbolize?

Turquoise gemstones are often associated with protection, healing, communication, balance, harmony, friendship, and loyalty. Wearing turquoise jewelry is believed to protect the wearer from negative energies, soothe the mind and body, and bring prosperity and success.

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Turquoise Physical Properties

Blue Topaz vs Blue Zircon vs Tanzanite vs Turquoise

Blue topaz, blue zircon, tanzanite, and turquoise are all December birthstones that come in shades of blue, but they have distinct differences in their properties, origins, and characteristics. Check out the key differences in the comparison chart below.

Where Can I Buy December Birthstone Jewelry?

December birthstone jewelry, such as December birthstone ring, December birthstone necklace, and December birthstone earrings featuring turquoise, tanzanite, blue zircon, or blue topaz can be found at Juyoyo Jewelry.

December Birthstone FAQs

Why Does December Have Four Birthstones?

Due to a combination of historical and cultural factors, December has four birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz.

What is the Official Color of December?

The official color of December is often associated with blue, reflecting the hues of the December birthstones.

What is the Most Expensive Birthstone for December?

The most expensive December birthstone is tanzanite. It is highly valued due to its rarity, as it is only found in Tanzania.

Is Blue Topaz Durable?

Yes, blue topaz is considered to be a durable gemstone. It has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, making it scratch-resistant and suitable for everyday wear in jewelry.

Is Blue Zircon Durable?

Blue zirconia is moderately durable, with a hardness of 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This means it's suitable for jewelry, but requires some care to avoid scratches and damage.

Is Tanzanite Durable?

Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it moderately durable.

Is Turquoise Durable?

Turquoise is relatively durable, with a hardness of 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. While it can withstand some wear, it is susceptible to scratches and damage.

Read More about Birthstone for Each Month

January Birthstone, February Birthstone, March Birthstone, April Birthstone, May Birthstone, June Birthstone, July Birthstone, August Birthstone, September Birthstone, October Birthstone, November Birthstone, December Birthstone