The December Birthstone – The Complete Guide
As the year draws to a close, December holds a mix of joyous celebrations and poignant reflections. For those born in this month, there’s a unique delight in having not just one but three birthstones: Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite. Explore this comprehensive guide to December Birthstones for an expert insight into their significance and characteristics.
Birthstones for December: Exploring Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite
December boasts not just one but three captivating birthstones, each with its unique allure and significance.
Turquoise
Turquoise, an ancient charm with a mesmerizing blue-green hue, has been revered through the ages. This stone embodies wealth, protection, and spiritual connection. It’s a symbol of good fortune, peace, and kinship.
Zircon
Zircon, representing dignity and purity, safeguards against negativity and illness. With powerful healing properties, it aids digestion, promotes serenity, and brings wisdom to the wearer.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite, a rare gem, unlocks spiritual realms and fosters peaceful dreams. It’s associated with integrity, sympathy, and peace. This stone inspires self-respect and fosters a tranquil environment.
Legends and Beliefs
- Turquoise, sacred to Native Americans, was placed on tombs for a safe passage to the afterlife and used by healers and warriors alike.
- Zircon, linked to a guardian angel in Jewish folklore, embodies chastity, loyalty, and purity.
- Tanzanite’s discovery by Masai herders after a forest fire is steeped in legend, with its transformation believed to be a celestial gift.
Unveiling the Glamour
Tanzanite gained notoriety after its stunning portrayal in the film Titanic, featuring a heart-shaped pendant known as the “Heart of the Ocean.”
Modern-Day Connections
Considered the perfect 24th-anniversary gift, Tanzanite continues to captivate with its allure and celestial origin.
The Names Of The December Birthstones
The Name Of Turquoise
The term “Turquoise” originates from the French phrase ‘Pierre Turquoise,’ which translates to ‘Turkish stone.’ This gem was thought to have initially arrived in Europe from regions like Turkestan or the Sinai Peninsula, part of the Turkish territory at that time.
Zircon’s name is rooted in various languages, such as German’s ‘Zirkon,’ Arabic’s ‘Zarqun,’ and Persian’s ‘Zargun,’ which describe the gem’s hues—ranging from cinnabar to vivid red or golden tones. It was previously called Jacinth before adopting the name Zircon.
Tanzanite earned its name from Henry B. Platt of Tiffany and Co., inspired by its discovery in Tanzania, Africa.
Turquoise, a hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper, forms through the infiltration of acidic water solutions in the weathering and oxidation process of minerals. It develops in altered volcanic rocks and manifests as thin coatings on their surfaces.
Zircon, part of the nesosilicates family, forms in molten, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks. It grows in arid environments, often found in fractures of altered volcanic rocks alongside Limonite and other impurities. Due to high uranium and thorium content, it undergoes metamictization, altering its structure and color over time.
Tanzanite, a hydrated calcium aluminum silicate, exhibits trichroism, showing distinct colors under different lights due to its chemical composition. Found in metamorphic rocks, aqueous veins, and pegmatites, Tanzanite is unique to the Merelani Hills in Tanzania, displaying blue and violet hues in white light and pink or red tones in incandescent light.
What Are The Key Traits of The December Birthstones?
Turquoise Traits
Turquoise embodies peace through its intense blue hue, symbolizing generosity, grace, positivity, and humility. Those with Turquoise as their birthstone possess a protective instinct akin to guardian angels, exuding vibrancy, wisdom, and confidence.
It signifies boldness, honesty, and grace, often seen in successful individuals. Connected with prosperity and good fortune, Turquoise signifies open communication, disease protection, strength, and rejuvenation.
Tanzanite Traits
Tanzanite heralds a joyous life and good fortune, emphasizing effective communication and unity of hearts and minds. Associated with spirituality and open-mindedness, individuals born under Tanzanite tend to possess psychic abilities and charm through their chattiness.
Traits of December-born Individuals
December-born individuals achieve extraordinary success, possessing high aspirations and a penchant for exploration and travel. They exhibit unwavering loyalty, generosity, and an irresistible charm, accompanied by patriotism and a desire for meaningful connections.
Highly ambitious, they might display impatience in their pursuit of success, wielding influence in various domains and reveling in social interactions. They enjoy being the center of attention, craving praise and authenticity in their relationships while appreciating humor and honesty in others.
December Birthstones’ Colors And Their Secret Meaning
Turquoise Stone’s Color
Turquoise flaunts diverse blue hues, from sky blue to green or grey, often influenced by its iron content. Its grainy surface reflects its gem structure.
Known for neutralizing acidity, aiding in gout and stomach ailments, Turquoise carries anti-inflammatory properties, promoting peace and happiness for the wearer.
Highly valued in Robin’s Egg Blue, Turquoise is a foggy blue-green mineral, a hydrous phosphate of aluminum and copper, revered as a symbol of wealth, protection, and familial relationships.
Zircon’s Color
Zircons exhibit an array of colors, from blue, green, red, and pink to brown, gold, yellow, and colorless, with the rarest honey-colored stones from Cambodia.
The stone, symbolizing chastity and protection, is believed to reduce pain during childbirth, enhance mental faculties, creativity, and love, and protect against negative energies and ailments.
Prized for intensity and clarity, colorless and blue Zircons are the most precious, with red Zircons being rare and costly. Heat treatment is common to achieve desired shades.
Tanzanite’s Color
Tanzanites display blue, violet, greenish, and greenish-blue hues due to vanadium in its structure, exhibiting pastels in smaller crystals and clear hues in larger ones.
Believed to dispel lethargy, anger, and drive wearers toward success, Tanzanite encourages creativity, immune system boosting, and fertility enhancement.
Recognized for its unique blue color, Tanzanite aligns chakras, especially the heart and throat, conveying dreams and urging wearers to chase their passions.
Tanzanites, mined only in Tanzania, encourage greatness, pursuit of dreams, and exploration of life’s purposes, while aiding in healing and energy realignment.
Necklaces, Rings, And Jewelry For December Birthdays
For your beloved born in December, consider gifting Zircon, Turquoise, or Tanzanite jewelry, perhaps a ring, pendant, or earrings fashioned in an emerald shape. Their joy upon receiving such beauty and significance will be priceless!
For anniversaries or vow renewals, opt for something subtly beautiful that echoes your romantic journey. Capture it with color—imagine a heart-shaped Tanzanite ring or pendant.
December gems boast unique elegance and comfort in wear, available in simple yet breathtaking designs, perfect for those who prefer a more understated sparkle.
With a wide range of hues, December birthstones offer ample choices for selecting exquisite jewelry for special occasions and cherished individuals.
Tanzanite pieces can be designed for everyday wear, styled in stunning settings that pair beautifully with Diamonds, Pearls, or even White Topaz birthstones.
Their dazzling brilliance comes in various hues, cuts, shapes, and clarity, radiating warmth against the skin.
Embarking on a jewelry collection? Rings, pendants, necklaces, bracelets, or brooches featuring these gems are an excellent starting point for your collection!
How Much Do December Birthstones Cost?
The Price of Turquoise Stones
Turquoise stones are typically priced between $1 to $10 per carat, although exceptional quality ones can sell for as high as $1,000 per carat. Various factors, including weight, determine their value. Superior quality stones command prices from $50 to $1,000 per carat, while high-quality ones range from $2 to $50.
The Price of Zircon Stones
Zircon stones generally average around $75 per carat for a 5 to 6-carat stone. Better colors and shapes can elevate the price to $125 to $150 per carat, with top-grade stones reaching $200 per carat. Larger stones over 10 carats are priced between $150 to $175 per carat. Ideal Zircon color should be saturated with a medium tone, avoiding pale blue or green/gray secondary colors.
The Price of Tanzanite Stones
Tanzanite stones with a visible green component are less valuable, while those with rich color cost about $425 per carat. A 2-carat Tanzanite stone can range from $500 to $600 per carat, while those 3 carats and above reach $650 per carat. Factors affecting Tanzanite price include cut, clarity, color depth, and market supply and demand.
Caring for December Birthstones
All these stones require special care and handling. They’re suitable for various jewelry types but need protection from impact and abrasion. Special settings can help protect them, and it’s advisable to avoid wearing them during strenuous activities.
Important Tips for Care
- Look for stones with stable color that are heat-treated to maintain color.
- Avoid exposing birthstones to strong acids or chemicals.
- Clean them with warm water and mild soap, avoiding ultrasonic cleaning and steam.
- Wear them judiciously, removing them during rigorous activities.
Final Thoughts on December Birthstones
Gifting December birthstones symbolizes good fortune and protection. They represent attributes like fortune, abundance, happiness, and success for those born in December. Tanzanite might be costly, but it’s an excellent investment. Each birthstone, whether Turquoise, Zircon, or Tanzanite, possesses unique allure and comes in shades of blue.
Unique Properties of Each Stone
- Turquoise: Known as a master healer stone, it aids in the healing process and promotes well-being by reducing stress and encouraging honest communication.
- Tanzanite: Referred to as the “Stone of Magic,” it supports mystical pursuits and helps in relaxation and slowing down life’s pace.
Final Recommendation
You can choose between Turquoise, Zircon, or Tanzanite, or even incorporate all of them together. They all represent phenomenal birthstones!
