December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon

Calling all December babies! Those born in December have three beautiful birthstones to choose from: turquoise, Tanzanite, and zircon. All three of these birthstones are known for their stunning shades of blue. The ages of these gemstones vary widely, from among the oldest on Earth to a relatively recent discovery. 

December Birthstones: Finding Your Shade of Blue 

Turquoise
This blue-green stone has been prized for thousands of years for its unique color and 

beauty. It’sassociated with protection, good luck, and positive energy, often used as a talisman or amulet to ward off negative energy and bring good fortune.

This December birthstone is highly valued for its ancient heritage and beautiful color. Countless civilizations and groups cherished turquoise, including Native Americans and Egyptians. The Apache thought this gemstone was found at the end of a rainbow. Other Native American tribes in the southwestern United States used turquoise in their jewelry and amulets, as a medium of exchange, and a ceremonial gem. It’s common for turquoise to be fashioned into Native American talismans, such as carvings of birds and animals.

Pharaohs and other ancient Egyptian rulers decorated themselves with the stone—King Tut’s burial mask was adorned with turquoise! 

Beginning in the 13th century, turquoise was believed to protect its wearer from falling, especially off horses. It was also thought that possessing turquoise guaranteed health and good fortune. This December birthstone is considered a national treasure in Tibet, where many believe it protects from evil. It’s relatively soft, which is ideal for carving. More than 3,000 years ago, it was common for Chinese artisans to carve turquoise. 

The most prominent market for turquoise is in the American Southwest, where Arizona and Nevada are the highest-producing states. In fact, the United States is the world’s largest supplier of turquoise.

Tanzanite
Relatively new to the world of colored gemstones, Tanzanite is a precious gemstone found exclusively in a small region of Tanzania, after which it’s named. It was discovered in the 1960s and gained popularity for its rarity and unique blue-violet color. It was named and marketed by Tiffany & Co. in 1968, after the company believed that the gemstone had international appeal.

This December birthstone became extremely popular among top jewelry designers and customers with an eye for beautiful, unusual gems. Part of Tanzanite’s appeal lies in its vivid colors, high clarity, and potential for large-cut stones. This gemstone’s color ranges from a rich blue to violet, with blue being the most valuable.

Tanzanite is vulnerable to scratches during daily wear, so it’s ideal for earrings and pendants rather than rings. 

Zircon

Zircon has been in use for thousands of years. It comes in a wide range ofcolors: blue, green, yellow, and brown. Some zircon stones are even colorless, making them an excellent choice for those who prefer a subtle look.

Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, about 4.4 billion years old, and it's found worldwide, including Australia, Brazil,

 Cambodia, Madagascar, and Sri Lanka. It also contains essential information about the formation of our planet and its origin. It is found in Earth’s crust and, due to its chemical makeup, has survived countless geologic events, such as erosion and pressure shifts.

Throughout time, this gemstone has been valuable to various groups: 

• During the Middle Ages, this December birthstone was believed to help with sleep, ward off evil, and scare off evil spirits. And if zircon was cloudy, it was often used in mourning jewelry.

• Victorians were fond of blue zircon.

• It was popular in English estate jewelry from the 1880s. 

Colorless zircon has often been confused with diamond because both have similar properties, including brilliance and flashes of multicolored light. However, the key difference between zircon and diamond is that zircon is more brittle.

Shop at R.F. Moeller

Whether you’re looking for a December birthstone or another unique gemstone, R.F. Moeller can help you find a piece of jewelry you’ll love forever. Make an appointment at one of our two Twin Cities stores! We’d love to answer your questions and show you the pieces in person. 

Make an appointment!