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Turquoise
This December birthstone is valued highly due to its ancient heritage and its beautiful color. Countless civilizations and groups cherished turquoise, including Native Americans and Egyptians. Pharaohs and other ancient Egyptian rulers decorated themselves with turquoise. Most notably, King Tut’s burial mask was adorned with turquoise. The Apache, a Native American tribe, thought this gemstone was found at the end of a rainbow. They also believed that it could help one’s aim when attached to a bow or firearm. 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 bird and animal carvings.
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 provided protection from evil. More than 3,000 years ago, it was common for Chinese artisans to carve turquoise. The gemstone is relatively soft, which is ideal for carving.
The most prominent market for turquoise is in the American Southwest, where Arizona and Nevada are the highest producing states. The United States is the world’s largest turquoise supplier.
Browse December Birthstone Jewelry
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1.30ct Oval Tanzanite and Diamond Ring
$1,250.00
SKU: 387700View Details Drop a Hint -
5.25ct Turquoise and Diamond Rope Ring
$2,550.00
SKU: 051660View Details Drop a Hint -
Estate Oval Tanzanite and Diamond Pendant
$4,950.00
SKU: 387324View Details Drop a Hint -
Marco Bicego Lunaria Collection 18k Yellow Gold Double Drop Turquoise Earrings
$2,950.00
SKU: 163321View Details Drop a Hint -
Oval Blue Zircon and Diamond Bail Pendant
$2,795.00
SKU: 133723View Details Drop a Hint -
Oval Blue Zircon and Diamond Pendant
$2,195.00
SKU: 133726View Details Drop a Hint
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is relatively new to the colored gemstone world. It was marketed and named by Tiffany & Co. in 1968, after the company’s belief that the gemstone had international appeal. They named this gemstone after the country it came from, Tanzania. This December birthstone became extremely popular with top jewelry designers, along with customers who had an eye for beautiful and unusual gems. Part of Tanzanite’s appeal is due to its vivid colors, high clarity, and potential for large cut stones.
Tanzanite is vulnerable to scratch during daily wear, therefore it is ideal for earrings and pendants rather than rings. This gemstone’s color ranges from a rich blue to violet, with blue being the most valuable. Tanzanite was discovered fairly recently, and has only one source, the Merelani Hills in northern Tanzania.
Zircon
Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth, with its age being around 4.4 billion years old. It also contains important information about the formation of our planet and how it came to be. It is found in the Earth’s crust, and due to its chemical makeup, it has survived countless geologic events like erosion and pressure shifts.
Throughout time, this gemstone has been valuable to various groups. For example, Victorians were fond of blue zircon. It was popular for blue zircon to be featured in English estate jewelry from the 1880s. During the Middle Ages, this December birthstone was believed to help with sleep, ward off evil, and scare off evil spirits. Also, if zircon had a cloudy appearance, it was often worn in mourning jewelry.
Colorless zircon has been often confused with diamond, due to both having similar properties of brilliance and flashes of multicolored light. However, the key difference between zircon and diamond is that zircon is more brittle. Zircon does not only come in a colorless form, but it also occurs in an array of colors. Yellow, green, red, reddish brown, and blue hues are all colorful forms of zircon. Zircon is also located near sapphire sources. Some sources of both zircon and sapphire include Australia, Vietnam, and Cambodia, among others.
December’s three birthstones are turquoise, Tanzanite, and zircon. All three of these birthstones are known for their stunning shades of blue. The age of these gemstones varies greatly, from one being one of the oldest on Earth, to another only recently being discovered.
November’s two birthstones are topaz and citrine. Certain shades of these gemstones look similar to each other, so much so that they have often been mistaken for one another throughout history. The pale-yellow color of citrine closely resembles yellow topaz, which explains why November’s two birthstones have been so easily confused. Both November birthstones are easily accessible and affordable, even in larger sizes. Topaz and citrine were thought to be …
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October’s two birthstones are opal and tourmaline. Opal is traditionally the more recognized October birthstone; however, tourmaline was added as a second birthstone in 1812. Tourmaline is highly valued due to its wide variety of colors, and hundreds of years ago, it was believed that opals carried the power and virtues of all colored stones.
de Vasco’s Daughters are passionate designers of your uniquely beautiful, one-of-kind stories. Their mission is to curate, design, and guide the busy, style-led couple desiring an effortlessly elegant, one-of-a-kind wedding. With impeccable attention to detail, they replace the stress of wedding planning with the serene calm of knowing that you and your dreams are being handled with the care and imagination they deserve. We asked them to share their wedding …
September’s birthstone is sapphire. This birthstone has fascinating ties to history and famous figures. Sapphires are typically blue, but can be found in all colors except red (which is ruby). It is also a very popular gemstone for engagement rings, thanks to the late Princess Diana.
September is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and we’re proud to be partnering with Children’s Cancer Research Fund for a sixth year. Every dollar from watch battery sales during the month of September will be donated to Children’s Cancer Research Fund. They invest in bold and new ideas to revolutionize the way childhood cancer is treated. Watch batteries have helped fund important research on more effective treatments for leukemia and brain …
As the 2024 Paris Olympics near an end, it’s time to highlight some jewelry inspired by Team USA! Whether its dazzling pieces in red, white, and blue that capture the spirit and pride of the nation, or sparkling diamond jewelry that symbolizes success, there are countless jewelry options that capture the elegance and strength synonymous with athletes who represent the country on the global stage.
To keep your precious pieces sparkling and in top condition, here are some simple steps you can easily follow at home!