What Is the December Birthstone?

Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite are the birthstones for December. We will examine all three of them in more detail.

Turquoise

The Turquoise gemstone is a beautiful blue-green color and has been used for charms and talismans since ancient times.

Turquoise was also a symbol of power and status in many civilizations.

Turquoise is considered to be a sensitive, strong, and protective stone that is connected to the spiritual realm. The dragon is a powerful, mythical creature that has inspired awe and reverence throughout the centuries. It is also a potent symbol of good luck, good fortune, kinship, and peace.

Zircon

Zircon is a stone that is connected to the values of dignity, integrity, chastity, and purity. It is the birthstone for the month of December.

A protective amulet worn around the neck wards off negativity, disease, and malevolent forces. The wearer of Zircon is sure to receive a warm response from everyone they meet.

Zircon has been used by healers for a long time as a way to improve digestion and absorption.

Not only does it have the ability to heal, but it can also help promote a sense of peace and relaxation, making it perfect for promoting a good night’s sleep. The stone helps the wearer to be wise and respected.

December has three birthstones, the third of which is Tanzanite. Tanzanite is an eternal and spectacular stone.

People in ancient times thought that Tanzanite would give the person wearing it a great way to connect to the spiritual world. It balances and opens the heart chakra and is known to bring about pleasant dreams for those who wear it.

Many people believe that Tanzanite helps the wearer to be honest with themselves, and to regain a sense of self-respect and integrity.

The gemstone helps the wearer feel more sympathetic and peaceful, and also has a calming effect on the mind and body of those around them.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite was only discovered in 1967, but since the movie Titanic was released in 1997, it has been getting a lot of attention.

The film featuring Leonardo Di Caprio and Kate Winslet features a prominent heart-shaped Tanzanite pendant necklace filled with Diamonds.

The necklace was called Heart of the Ocean.

The Masai cattle herders in the middle ages saw Tanzanites around 30 years prior to the present day, according to legends. These herders first caught sight of the gemstones after a fire that was caused by a lightning strike consumed extensive woodlands in Tanzania.

After realizing that the dark Zoisite stones had changed into colors including a splendid blue-purple, they were convinced that Tanzanite was made by the heavens and transported to Earth by a bolt of lightning.

Tanzanite makes a great 24th anniversary present for a couple.

Which December Birthstone Should I Choose?

The December birthstone that would be perfect for you depends on your preferences. Each of these three gemstones offers unique characteristics. The different metals used in jewelry add style, personality, and quality to your collection.

First Birthstone: Turquoise

Turquoise’s first December birthstone is turquoise. Turquoise is a beautiful gem that is known for its bright blue color and intricate veins. This birthstone is not transparent like tanzanite and turquoise. This birthstone also represents the 11th wedding anniversary.

History of Turquoise

“Turquoise” is French for “Turkish stone”, pronounced pee-yare turr-qwah. The name of this December birthstone, turquoise, is thought to come from its first arrival in Europe through Turkey.

Turquoise is a stone that has been treasured across many ancient cultures for its rich history. Pharaohs of Ancient Egypt often wore turquoise. Turkish artisans also carved turquoise more than 3000 years ago.

Turquoise was believed to grant health and good fortune since the 13th century. Turquoise was worn by horse riders to keep them from falling off of their horse.

Turquoise was also important to Native Americans. The Apache thought that instead of a pot of gold, turquoise was at the end of a rainbow. The Pueblo people also believed that turquoise, the birthstone, would increase the accuracy of their bows and firearms when attached to them.

Turquoise also plays a role in recent royal history. The Duchess of Windsor, Wallis Simpson, was known for wearing a necklace made of amethysts and turquoise stones, created by the designer Cartier.

Where Does Turquoise Come From?

The Nishapur district of Iran has been a center of turquoise mining for more than 1000 years. Turquoise from this region is prized for its unique color. The color is often described as being similar to a robin’s egg, the sky, or a Persian blue.

The state’seconomy has been diversifying, however, and production has been declining. New Mexico has been the biggest producer of turquoise in the United States, but the state’s economy has been diversifying and production has been declining. The majority of turquoise that is mined nowadays comes from Arizona and Nevada.

Hubei Province in central China is the most significant worldwide producer of turquoise.

Most Common Turquoise Jewelry Settings

Turquoise is a stone that is most often worn as a ring or pendant. It has a bohemian look that can add flair to any outfit. This December birthstone pairs well with all metals. You can choose between silver and white gold for a more modern look, or rose gold and yellow gold for a vintage touch.

Care and Cleaning

Turquoise is a gem with tiny holes in it. It’s not very hard, only a 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale. This means that the birthstone for December can be set in resin or acrylic epoxy. This treatment improves turquoise’s strength and color. Turquoise can also be repaired by filling any cracks with a metal-loaded epoxy. This process creates an effect similar to turquoise’s marbling.

Turquoise is typically not affected by light. However, the gemstone’s color can change if it’s frequently exposed to high temperatures. You should only clean your stone with warm water and gentle soap. This will ensure that you can continue to enjoy your turquoise jewelry for many years.

Second Birthstone: Zircon

Zircon is a gem that is often overlooked, but it is very beautiful and has a lot of history. Because of its connection to geology and culture, this December birthstone has historical value.

Zircon may look like other gems to the naked eye, but it is actually quite different. People commonly mistake zircon for cubic zirconia, a man-made diamond substitute. Zircon is a colorless gemstone that is often mistaken for a diamond because of its brilliance. This makes the birthstone appear to have twice as many facets.

History of Zircon

Zircon is the oldest mineral on earth, with a age of 4.4 billion years. Zircon helps us understand the earth’s history by providing information about pressure changes and erosion shifts that have occurred over time.

The origins of the word “zircon” are unclear. The name of the mineral could date back to the Arabic word zakrun (which means “cinnabar” or “vermillion) or the Persian word zargun (which means “gold-covered”).

Many people believed that zircon would help you sleep better, protect you from evil spirits, and heal physical ailments such as blisters, sores, and varicose veins.

The December birthstone is one of the nine jeweled gemstones from the navaratna. The navaratna is a pendant that represents the Hindu religion’s heavenly bodies. This talisman has the power to protect against negative energies, as well as promoting good health and amplifying the effects of each of the nine gemstones.

The English developed a taste for zircon during the Victorian period. Zircon was a popular color during that era. While in mourning, people would often choose to wear cloudy or smoky zircon jewelry.

Where Does Blue Zircon Come From?

The Elahera region of Sri Lanka is productive for mining zircon. Sri Lanka is known as the Gem Island and produces blue, yellow, and pink sapphire, hessonite garnet, tourmaline, moonstone, quartz, and more.

Zircon can be found in Australia’s Harts Range and typically appears in yellow-brown, orangy-brown, pink, and purple. Zircon Hill is the Australian site where the December birthstone is found. Australia produces the most zircon gemstones, accounting for 37% of all zircon gemstones mined.

Zircon and sapphire are often found in the same area because they are formed in similar conditions. Zircon and sapphires can be found in the same areas in Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia, in addition to Sri Lanka and Australia.

Most Common Zircon Jewelry Settings

Zircon comes in many colors, but the most popular is blue because it is one of December’s birthstones.

Zircon is a strong gemstone, making it ideal for everyday wear in the form of earrings, rings, necklaces, and more. It is recommended by jewelers that zircon should be set in a protective setting when it is worn as a ring. Rings experience more wear and tear than earrings and necklaces.

Care and Cleaning

The Mohs scale ranks zircon from 6.5 to 7.5. To create different shades of blue and colorless, zircon typically goes through heat treatment. Zircon is resistant to light and heat, but these conditions can trigger a color change in some gemstones.

The December birthstone is easily scratched and should only be cleaned using a soft brush or warm, soapy water.

Third Birthstone: Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a radiant gem. The colors of this item range from a deep blue to a purple, and can look different depending on the lighting. This December birthstone also represents the 24th wedding anniversary.

History of Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a newcomer to the birthstone scene. The Maasai herders discovered blue stones near Arusha, Tanzania in 1967. When they told Manuel d’Souza, a prospector, he began mining for what he thought were sapphires. D’Souza eventually realised that the stones were not sapphires, but were in fact zoisite.

The following year, Tiffany & co. launched an advertising campaign all about the mineral zoisite. They tried to sell the gemstone as a cheaper alternative to sapphires. The campaign promoted the birthstone’s clarity, color, and the ability to be cut into large pieces. Tiffany & Co. quickly became tanzanite’s primary distributor.

The stone was originally named “blue stone” but was then renamed “tanzanite” to honor its country of origin. Tiffany & Co. thought that “tanzanite” was a better name from a marketing perspective.

Where Does Tanzanite Come From?

The only place where tanzanite is currently mined is in the Merelani Hills, which are located in northern Tanzania. The mines are located near Mount Kilimanjaro, which is the tallest mountain in Africa.

A 2012 study found that the tanzanite supply is running low. The largest section of mining territory in Merelani Hills, Block C, could be depleted within 30 years if mining operations continue. This report caused tanzanite prices to climb. Many experts say that the current generation will be the last to purchase new tanzanite jewels.

Most Common Tanzanite Jewelry Settings

Tanzanite is not as strong as turquoise, and it can be damaged. Earrings and pendants will help to improve the life of your tanzanite, as opposed to rings and bracelets. A tanzanite ring with a protective setting can make a lovely occasion ring.

Care and Cleaning

Tanzanite has a hardness of 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This wondrous material is also resistant to the effects of light, heat, and common chemicals. However, this December birthstone is delicate and can crack if exposed to extreme heat or sudden changes in temperature.

To clean your stone, use warm water and gentle soap, just as you would with turquoise.

How Much Do December Birthstones Cost?

The Price Of Turquoise Stones

The price of a turquoise stone ranges from $1 to $10 per carat. The price of a stone depends on its quality, with some selling for as little as $.05 per carat, and others for as much as $1,000 per carat.

Just like diamond engagement rings, many factors determine their price. The weight of the Turquoise can help you determine how much it costs.

High quality Turquoise stones can cost between $50 and $1,000 per carat. Good quality stones can be found for $2-$50.

The Price Of Zircon Stones

The average price for a Zircon stone is around $75 per carat.

Zircon stones that are better in terms of color and shape can cost up to $150 per carat.

The value of top-quality stones can reach up to $200 per carat. Zircon stones that are very hard, with a rating of over 10 on the Moh scale, cost $150 to $175 per carat.

The color of Zircon should be saturated with a medium tone.

The ideal blue sapphire should not have a pale blue color or any green or grey secondary colors. Zircon stones typically have good cuts, so clarity is not often a problem.

The vast majority of Zircon stones that are available for purchase are oval in shape. Some other diamond cuts you can find are cushions, rounds, radiants, and trilliants.

While zircon stones come in a variety of sizes, they are most commonly found in small and large sizes. The price and value of Tanzanite change depending on the weight of the stone.

The Price Of Tanzanite Stones

Tanzanite that has a visible green component is less valuable than tanzanite without a visible green component. The price of a richly-colored tanzanite stone is about $425 per carat.

For a 2-carat stone, you can expect to pay $500-$600 per carat. Any gem that is 3 carats or more in size will be worth $650 per carat. This makes Tanzanite a very good investment.

Other factors that affect the price of Tanzanite jewelry include the quality of the cut, the clarity of the stone, the depth of color, and the current supply and demand of Tanzanite in Tanzania.

These December birthstones are all beautiful stones. Owning a piece of your birthstone is a good investment, no matter the size of the stone.

They possess properties that require special handling and care.