December is the end of the year, and it can be both a time of great joy and bitter sorrows.
However, people who are born during this month have much to celebrate because they get the pleasure of having three birthstones: Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite.
Read on to learn more about the December Birthstones in this expert guide.
What Is The Birthstone For December?
There are three birthstones for December, Turquoise, Zircon and Tanzanite. Let’s take a look at all three of them in more detail here.
Turquoise
Turquoise is an exquisite blue-green gemstone and one of the oldest and tried and tested stones for charms and talismans since ancient times.
Turquoise was also a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance in many ancient societies.
Characteristics like sensitivity, strength, protection from evil, and connection to the spiritual realm are all attributed to Turquoise. It’s also a symbol of good luck, good fortune, kinship, and peace.
Zircon
Zircon, the second December birthstone, is a symbol of dignity, integrity, chastity, and purity.
It provides protection to anyone who wears it against negative energies, illness, enemies, and evil. It encourages a warm response wherever the wearer of Zircon goes.
Zircon has powerful healing properties and healers have long been using it as an antidote to enhance digestion and absorption.
It also has powerful healing abilities that can promote serenity and peaceful sleep. The stone also brings wisdom and respect to the wearer.
December is lucky enough to have three birthstones, the third being the uncommon, eternal, and spectacular Tanzanite.
Ancient people believed that Tanzanite provided its wearer with an exceptional pathway to the spiritual realm. It unlocks chakras from the heart and is a stone that brings pleasant dreams to the wearer.
Many people believe that Tanzanite encourages the wearer to come clean, helping him recover his sense of self-respect and integrity.
The gemstone increases one’s sense of sympathy and promotes peace and serenity in the mind and body of those around the wearer.
As per legend, Celtic chieftains used Tanzanite in rituals intended to choose a new leader.
Turquoise is a sacred gemstone that Native Americans hold in high regard. They ingraved the gemstone with birds and animals that the tribe revered.
They put the cut stones on the tombs of the tribesmen and leaders to allow a smooth pathway to the heavens and protect the dead.
Healers also used the stone to cure numerous ailments, while warriors believed that it ensured perfect aim.
A fascinating myth surrounds the Zircon. As indicated by Jewish legend, a holy messenger was sent to the Garden of Eden, tasked with watching over Adam and Eve.
The messenger was an angel called Zircon. The stone has come to be associated with chastity, honor, loyalty, and purity ever since.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite, although a relatively new discovery, has made the most of its time in the spotlight since the motion picture Titanic was released in 1997.
The blockbuster film featuring Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet highlighted a prominent heart-shaped Tanzanite pendant necklace filled with Diamonds.
The necklace was called Heart of the Ocean.
According to legends, the Masai cattle herders in the middle ages first saw Tanzanites around 30 years prior, after a fire caused by a lightning strike consumed extensive woodlands in Tanzania.
They realized that the dark Zoisite stones had changed into colors including a splendid blue-purple, convincing them that Tanzanite was made by the heavens and transported to Earth by a bolt of lightning.
Tanzanite is the perfect present for a couple’s 24th anniversary.
The Names Of The December Birthstones
The Name Of Turquoise
The name Turquoise comes from the French adjective ‘Turquoise’ or ‘Pierre Turquoise,’ meaning ‘Turkish stone.’
The stone was believed to have been first brought to Europe from Turkestan or the Sinai Peninsula, a Turkish domain.
The Name Of Zircon
Zircon gets its name from the German ‘Zirkon,’ Arabic ‘Zarqun,’ or the Persian ‘Zargun.’
The Arabic and Persian names portray the shades of the Zircon, cinnabar, and brilliant red, or gold-hued separately.
Zircon is the new terminology for the Jacinth, which is the past name of the gemstone.
The Name Of Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a violet gemstone, christened by Henry B. Platt of Tiffany and Co. as ‘Tanzanite’ since the stone was found in the African country Tanzania.
Geological Properties
Turquoise is an obscure, blue-green mineral, a hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper.
The stone is formed by the activity of permeating acidic aqueous solutions by the weathering and oxidation of precious minerals.
It is created by the breakup of groundwater through rocks rich in aluminum in the presence of additional copper.
It is found in depressions and breaks of altered volcanic rocks but also forms in thin hulls on the stones’ surface.
Zircon is part of the nesosilicates family, developing in molten rocks, sedimentary rocks, and metamorphic rocks.
Climatic factors have a major role in the development of Zircon. The stone is found in dry areas, and in pits and fractures of altered volcanic rocks, related to Limonite and different impurities.
Large Zircon crystals are uncommon as they rarely grow past a couple of centimeters. Zircons contain high uranium and thorium content, because of which the stone goes through a procedure known as metamictization.
As internal radiation continuously alters the gemstone structure, its thickness diminishes, hence making the structure and colors change.
Tanzanite is hydrated calcium aluminum silicate. It’s a trichroic gemstone.
The chemical structure of this stone causes the double refraction of white light as the light goes through the precious stone, making the stone display distinctive hues under various lights.
In white light, the stone seems blue and violet. In radiant light, the stone seems pink or red.
Geologically, Tanzanite is found in metamorphic rocks, aqueous veins, and pegmatite rocks.
A surprising fact about Tanzanites is that you can only find them in just one area on the planet, which is the Merelani Hills of Tanzania.
What Are The Key Traits of The December Birthstones?
Turquoise Traits
Turquoise is a stone of peace, which is likely to be the feeling that you get when you look at the intense blue color of this birthstone.
Other personality traits of Turquoise are generosity, grace, positivity, humility, and health.
People with Turquoise as their birthstone are like guardian angels because they have this strong protective instinct for others. This makes them seem very young, vibrant, wise, and confident.
Turquoise is a symbol of boldness, honesty, and grace. People who have this gemstone for a birthstone are usually quite successful.
This stone is connected with prosperity, good fortune, happiness, and success. It stands for open communication and protection from disease. It also speaks of strength and regeneration.
Turquoise matches the month of December well. It is a love charm that is symbolic of positive success and relaxation just like the Cancer birthstone.
Tanzanite Traits
Tanzanite represents a happy life full of good fortune – something which many December babies will definitely reap the benefits of!
The pretty blue stone is famed for promoting good communication, as well as uniting their hearts and minds. Turquoise people are very chatty and charming.
Those born under Tanzanite also tend to be more spiritual and open-minded, and usually have some psychic ability, no matter how limited.
The Traits Of Someone That Is Born In December
Those born in December achieve extraordinary levels of success. They also have high aspirations and ambitions to try new things or go places that they have never been. Travel is a big thing for them.
They are very loyal, and they will be with you through the ups and downs of your life, even if you are already pushing them away. They are generous with everything they have, be it with money, love, or attention.
People born in December have a distinct sexiness and charm that people find irresistible, and they realize that there’s more to them than their wit, candor, and charm.
They are also very patriotic and are active in pursuits that demonstrate their love for their country.
They like to connect and interact with people because they believe that this is how they can improve their personal and professional relationships.
December people are very ambitious, and they can sometimes get hasty with their decisions because of their impatience to see results and achieve success.
They are also very influential in business and organizations. They love to socialize and make new friends and connections.
Overall, they are very fun to be with, and they enjoy being the center of attention.
December people love to be loved. They get high with praise, and they want people to see them as someone honest and trustworthy.
They don’t like dishonest people, and they stay away from people who cover up their truth by pretending.
The good thing is that they are not egoistic, even if they take high pride in themselves.
They love a good joke and being with people with a good sense of humor.
December Birthstones’ Colors And Their Secret Meaning
Turquoise Stone’s Color
Turquoise has wonderful blue tints. The costliest stones are normally sky blue, while others are grey or green in color.
The green in Turquoise is normally because of the iron component. It displays a grainy surface owing to its gem structure.
Turquoise can neutralize acidity, ease the symptoms of gout, and treat stomach ailments, rheumatism, and viral infections. This stone is also effective in relaxing cramps.
It carries anti-inflammatory properties and brings peace and happiness to whoever wears it.
The richness and hardness of Turquoise decide its value. The Robin’s Egg Blue is the most valued and sought-after shade of this stone.
Turquoise is a foggy, blue-green mineral. In terms of composition, it is a hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper.
The stone is a symbol of wealth and achievement in many ancient societies.
Characteristics like reputation, insurance against deception, and protection from external influences are all credited to Turquoise.
Furthermore, this gemstone is a token of family relationships, peace, and good fortune.
Turquoise is a gem that Native Americans hold in high regard. They engraved it with feathered animals to fill in as a defensive stone for the clan.
The engraved stones were put on the tombs of the tribesmen to guarantee a smooth shift to the next life after death.
Tribal healers also used this stone to cure different illnesses, and brave warriors wanted to ensure victory in battle with it.
Crystal therapy is another use case of Turquoise to reduce gout and stomach sicknesses. Some people believe it is also useful to reduce spasms as it contains calming energies and conveys peace and bliss to the wearer.
Zircon‘s Color
Zircons occur as crystals exhibiting a wide spectrum of colors. The crystals are blue, green, red, pink, brown, gold, yellow, and colorless.
Honey-colored stones from Cambodia are the rarest form of this gemstone. Natural forms are colorless or pale yellow Zircons.
Among the most precious stones are the red and blue Zircon. Many of the crystals are thermally treated to achieve the desired color.
According to ancient tribes, Zircon reduces the pain of childbirth, improves appetite, bestows strength and confidence on the wearer, improves mental faculties and memory, and encourages one to explore their dreams.
The stone enhances creativity and fosters love, loyalty, and commitment.
Zircon has great intensity and saturation of color. Clarity and size also play an important role.
Colorless and blue stones are the most precious, since they have no or only minimal inclusions.
The colorless variety is often used in place of Diamonds while the Blue Turquoise is a rare find, making these varieties the most expensive of zircon gemstones.
Zircon is a symbol of chastity, virtuousness, trustworthiness, and respect.
To the wearer, this stone offers protection against negative energies, adversaries, ailments, and declining vitality.
Many believe this stone to be able to absorb negative vibrations wherever the wearer goes.
Zircon is also believed to have strong healing properties and has long been used as a metaphysical tool to facilitate the recovery process.
The recuperating properties of Zircon also help bring soothing rest and serenity. The stone likewise conveys honor and knowledge to the wearer.
Gemstone quality Zircon has a considerable amount of colors. The red color is the most valued and sought-after, but it’s quite rare and very costly.
Zircon of exceptional blue color is also much valued. Many Zircons out there undergo heat treatment just to get the desired shade or color.
However, this awesome gemstone has the disadvantage of having a similar name to the popular, yet less expensive and completely manmade Cubic Zirconia.
As indicated by a Jewish legend, an angel was sent down to the Garden of Eden to care for Adam and Eve. The name of this blessed angel was none other than Zircon.
So it is no big surprise that this gemstone is frequently associated with chastity, honor, dedication, and immaculateness.
Many believe that Zircon eases the torment of childbirth, enhance intellectual capacities, and bring a sense of confidence and certainty to the person wearing it.
It can also increase a person’s creativity and imagination, promote love and affection, and strengthen one’s sense of imaginativeness.
It energizes your love and devotion and fills you with happiness when fulfilling your obligations.
Tanzanite‘s Color
Tanzanites are usually blue or violet in color, but also come in greenish and greenish-blue shades.
Vanadium present in the stone’s structure creates an exquisite violet shade. Bigger gems display clear hues because of the trichroic structure, while the smaller crystals show pastels.
Tanzanite gemstone disperses dormancy, wretchedness, and outrage to goad the wearer to accomplish greatness and pursue dreams.
The stone is related to inventiveness, enabling one to explore new patterns, break barriers, and pursue one’s life passions.
Healers believe Tanzanite can boost the immune system, as well as treat the heart, chest, throat, spleen, and pancreas.
Tanzanite increases fertility. Popular belief involves that the stone is to be worn with direct contact with the skin for the best effect.
This stone is rarer than the Diamond, mined only in one area on the planet.
Violet Tanzanite is a very kind of Tanzanite and prized all over the world for its splendid color and clarity, with the least amount of inclusions.
The third birthstone of December is provocative, uncommon, and fabulous. Since Tanzanite is a relatively recent discovery, ancient people had no idea that Tanzanite even existed.
It has the ability to open, cleanse, and realign the energy centers or the chakras, particularly the heart and throat chakras. It is a stone that also conveys dreams to the wearer.
Tanzanite has an extremely one-of-a-kind blue color that’s not quite the same as the color of other blue crystals.
The best quality Tanzanite is used to create stunning and extravagant jewelry. They originate from the Merelani Hills in the Arusha locale, in Tanzania.
This stone urges the wearer to achieve greatness and chase after their dreams. It’s also associated with imagination and creative energy.
It allows the wearer to discover new ways of expression, push their limits, and look for one’s real purpose in life.
Tanzanite gemstone removes dormancy, misery, disappointment, and displeasure. It can be very useful in treating the heart, pancreas, midsection, spleen, and throat.
It is general consensus that Tanzanites should be in contact with the skin to achieve the most noteworthy metaphysical effects.
Necklaces, Rings, And Jewelry For December Birthdays
If your significant other was born in December, you could get them a Zircon, Turquoise, or Tanzanite jewelry like a ring, pendant, or earring in the shape of an emerald. It will be worth the beauty, price, and happiness that you will see on their face!
If it’s your anniversary or wants to renew your vows, you can go for something with a subtle beauty that will also recount your romantic tale.
Express it with color. You can pick a Tanzanite heart-shaped ring or pendant for this.
December gems are exquisite, unique, and comfortable to wear. As lovely as they are, they come in many simple and equally breathtaking designs.
They will be ideal for somebody who does not need too much sparkle.
There are many shades of the December gems, which means that if this is your birthstone, you have a lot of alternatives to find the perfect jewelry for the most special people and for the most special events in your life.
Tanzanite accessories can be styled and designed in a beautiful stone setting that will make them ideal for everyday wear.
Tanzanite looks perfect when combined with Diamonds or Pearls, or even birthstones like White Topaz.
They sparkle and shimmer so brilliantly and delightfully. They make wonderful gems in various hues, cuts, shapes, and clarity.
Tanzanite, Zircon, and Turquoise always feel warm to the skin.
If you want to start building a good jewelry collection you are off to a great start with a ring, pendant, necklace, bracelet, or brooch!
How Much Do December Birthstones Cost?
The Price Of Turquoise Stones
Turquoise stones normally range from $1 to $10 per carat. Depending on the stone’s quality, they can also sell for $.05 to $1,000 per carat.
Just like diamond engagement rings, many factors determine their price. The weight can help you determine how much a Turquoise costs.
Superior quality Turquoise stones can command prices between $50 and $1,000 per carat. High-quality stones are at more affordable prices of $2 to $50.
The Price Of Zircon Stones
Prices for Zircon stones average around $75 per carat for a 5 to 6-carat stone.
Zircon stones with better colors and shapes can range anywhere between $125 to $150 per carat.
Top-grade stones can fetch as much as $200 per carat. Zircon stones that are over 10 carats on the Moh scale range from $150 to $175 per carat.
The ideal color for Zircon should be saturated with a medium tone.
It should not be a pale blue color (like blue topaz) or have a green or gray secondary color. Most Zircon stones have really good cuts, so clarity is rarely a critical issue.
The majority of Zircon stones that you can buy in the market are oval-shaped. Some others you can find are cushions, rounds, radiants, and trilliants.
Zircon stones are also available in both small and large sizes. The price and value of Tanzanite change depending on the weight.
The Price Of Tanzanite Stones
Tanzanite that has a visible green component is less valuable. Tanzanite stones with a rich color cost about $425 per carat.
A 2-carat Tanzanite stone can reach prices of $500 to $600 per carat. Anything that’s 3 carats and up will reach $650 per carat. This makes Tanzanite a very good investment.
Other factors that affect the price of Tanzanite include the cut, clarity, depth of color, and the current supply and demand of Tanzanite in Tanzania.
These December birthstones are all beautiful stones. No matter how big or small the stone is, you should know that owning a piece of these birthstones is already a good investment.
They do possess properties that require them to receive special handling and care.
They are all suitable as earrings, bracelets, rings, pendants, and other items that will not be subjected to impact and abrasion.
Special settings can be made to protect these stones. But you should only wear them during certain activities to minimize the chances of them getting broken or scratched.
If you’re going to the gym or engaging in other rigorous physical activities, make sure to remove them or not wear them.
Look for stones that have a strong and stable color. When the stone is heat-treated, it’s unlikely that its color will change.
Make sure that you don’t expose your birthstone to strong acids and chemicals that will damage them or alter its colors.
If you must clean your stones, only use warm water and mild soap. Avoid ultrasonic cleaning and steam altogether.
My Final Thoughts on the December Birthstone
Giving a jewelry gift representing December will bring the wearer good fortune and protection.
For people who were born in the month of December, the traditional birthstones reflect the attributes of fortune, abundance, happiness, and success.
Tanzanite is somewhat costly. However, if you can afford it, just go ahead and go for it. The alternative birthstones are no less alluring, either.
While December apparently has three gemstones to choose from, each one of them comes in shades of blue.
Turquoise is a master healer stone that can speed up the whole healing process. It also promotes healthy well-being by removing the stress in your life and promoting honest communication.
Tanzanite is the “Stone of Magic,” which helps in mystical endeavors. Try using this stone if you need a quick break from life or people because it can help you slow down and relax.
You may pick between Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite, or even use all of them at the same time. They are all phenomenal birthstones!
Diana Houston
Diana Houston is a respected crystal expert and the author of 'A Beginner's Guide to Healing Crystals: Getting Started With Crystal Healing – A Complete Guide.' Her passion for crystals and their healing properties made her a leading authority on the subject.
Diana's expertise and passion for crystals have inspired countless readers and practitioners, and her book has received rave reviews on Amazon. With her clear and insightful guidance, Diana is a trusted guide for anyone seeking to unlock the transformative power of crystals.
Available on Amazon!