Arizona & Nevada (USA), Iran, Tanzania, Cambodia, Sri Lanka
Zodiac signs
Sagittarius / Capricorn
Anniversary
11th (turquoise), 24th (tanzanite)
What color is the December birthstone, and what does it mean?
Every December stone is blue. Turquoise's sky blue means protection and friendship; tanzanite's violet-blue means transformation; blue zircon's electric blue means wisdom and prosperity.
Color is the single biggest driver of value in colored gemstones, and it is also where birthstone symbolism lives. See how every month's color compares in the birthstone color guide.
What does the December birthstone symbolize?
Turquoise is one of the oldest protective amulets on earth, worn by Egyptian pharaohs, Persian riders and Native American nations of the American Southwest as a guard against harm and a sign of friendship. Tanzanite, found only in one small area of Tanzania, is the stone of transformation and is given for milestone anniversaries. Blue zircon has been worn since the Middle Ages as a stone of wisdom, honor and restful sleep.
The history of the December birthstone
Turquoise from the Sinai was mined by Egyptians before 3000 BCE and set into Tutankhamun's burial mask; the name comes from pierre turquoise, 'Turkish stone', for the trade route it traveled. Tanzanite is the newcomer — discovered in 1967 near Mount Kilimanjaro, named by Tiffany & Co., and added to the December birthstone list in 2002. Blue zircon was a Victorian favorite and is often mistaken for the man-made imitation cubic zirconia, which is an entirely different material.
For the origin of the twelve-month tradition itself — Aaron's breastplate, Josephus, Polish gem traders and the 1912 American jewelers' list — read the full history of birthstones.
Every December birthstone in detail: where it's found, its powers and its cuts
Modern birthstone · 5–6 Mohs
Turquoise
Where turquoise is found
Arizona (Sleeping Beauty, Kingman) and Nevada (Number 8, spiderweb) in the USA, Iran's Neyshabur mines (the historic 'Persian' blue), China and Mexico.
Spiritual meaning
A protection and truth stone for over five thousand years — Egyptian, Persian, Tibetan and Navajo traditions all use it as an amulet and a healer's talisman.
Healing powers
Throat-chakra stone used for honest speech, immune support and calming after strain; also worn as a general purification stone.
Cut styles
Cabochons, inlay, beads and freeform nuggets; matrix (the dark host-rock webbing) is valued rather than hidden. Stabilized turquoise is common and legitimate — it should be disclosed.
Modern birthstone · 6–7 Mohs
Tanzanite
Where tanzanite is found
One place on earth: the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, discovered in 1967 and added to the birthstone list in 2002.
Spiritual meaning
Transformation and spiritual awakening — its violet-blue is linked to insight and to speaking a hard truth kindly.
Healing powers
Third-eye and throat stone used for intuition, migraine relief in lore and emotional integration.
Cut styles
Trillion, cushion and oval brilliants, oriented to favor the violet-blue axis; almost all tanzanite is heat-treated to remove brown.
Modern birthstone · 6–7.5 Mohs
Blue Zircon
Where blue zircon is found
Cambodia (Ratanakiri — the source of most fine blue zircon), Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Tanzania.
Spiritual meaning
Wisdom, honor and restful sleep; a medieval talisman against nightmares and travel misfortune.
Healing powers
Used for grounding scattered energy and for stamina.
Cut styles
Zircon's very high double refraction and fire reward brilliant styles: the round brilliant and the 'zircon cut' (a step-cut crown with eight extra facets) are traditional, plus cushion, oval and emerald cuts. Its brittle edges mean cutters leave slightly thicker girdles and jewelers prefer bezel or protected settings.
Alternative birthstone · 8 Mohs
Blue Topaz
Where blue topaz is found
Brazil, Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Madagascar; the blue is produced by irradiating and heating colorless topaz.
Spiritual meaning
Clear communication and calm confidence; the most affordable December blue.
Healing powers
Throat-chakra stone used for expression and cooling anger.
Cut styles
Large emerald, oval, pear and cushion cuts — clean rough is plentiful, so generous pendant-size stones are inexpensive.
Traditional birthstone · 5–6 Mohs
Lapis Lazuli
Where lapis lazuli is found
Afghanistan's Sar-e-Sang valley, plus Chile and Siberia.
Spiritual meaning
Royal truth and inner authority; worn by pharaohs and ground into ultramarine pigment.
Healing powers
Third-eye stone used for insight, headaches and honest self-expression.
Cut styles
Cabochons, beads, inlay and scarab carvings; even deep blue with fine pyrite is the goal.
Spiritual and healing associations are traditional lore, recorded here for cultural interest — they are not medical advice.
How to buy turquoise
For turquoise, an even sky blue with a fine spiderweb matrix is prized; much inexpensive turquoise is stabilized with resin or dyed howlite, so buy from a seller who states treatment. Tanzanite is almost always heated, and violet-blue outperforms pale lilac. Blue zircon has strong fire and doubling of facet edges — a sign it is genuine zircon, not cubic zirconia.
Caring for turquoise jewelry
Turquoise is porous and soft: keep it away from oils, perfume and cosmetics, and wipe with a dry cloth. Tanzanite has cleavage and should never go in an ultrasonic cleaner. Zircon's facet edges abrade with time, so store it separately.
December birthstone jewelry to look for
Turquoise bezel December birthstone necklace
Tanzanite pendant in 18k white gold
Blue zircon birthstone stud earrings
Personalised December birthstone name necklace
A pendant is the most forgiving setting for softer stones, because a necklace takes far fewer knocks than a ring. Bezel settings protect the girdle of the stone and suit everyday wear, which is why a bezel-set december birthstone necklace is the piece most people start with.
December birthstone jewelry: personalized turquoise pieces
Shop December birthstone necklaces, rings and bracelets in 18K gold — each one made with the December birthstone and engraved with the name, initial or date you choose. Choose a piece, then pick your finish.
December birthstone: Turquoise on film
A short film on turquoise, the december birthstone — its color, its meaning and how it is worn.
December has several birthstones — turquoise, tanzanite, blue zircon and blue topaz — plus lapis lazuli on the traditional list. All of them are blue.
Why does December have so many birthstones?
Turquoise and lapis are the ancient stones, blue zircon and blue topaz were added for affordability, and tanzanite joined in 2002 after its 1967 discovery. Together they give December a wide price range.
What color is the December birthstone?
Blue, in every shade: turquoise's opaque sky blue, tanzanite's violet-blue, and zircon and topaz's transparent bright blue.
Which December birthstone is the most valuable?
Fine tanzanite is the most valuable, followed by top-grade natural turquoise. Blue topaz is the most affordable.
Is turquoise good for a necklace?
Yes — as a pendant it is protected from knocks. Because turquoise is porous and only 5–6 Mohs, keep it away from lotions and perfume and put your necklace on last.
