December Birthstones: Turquoise, Topaz, Tanzanite & Zircon Guide

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December Birthstones: Turquoise, Topaz, Tanzanite & Zircon Guide

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Birthstones are more than a celebratory gift idea - they have a long and significant history as certain stones correlating with certain months are meant to bring you luck, joy, and peaceful prosperity. The roots of birthstones can be traced back to ancient times and the famed breastplate of the high priest Aaron. This breastplate was studded with twelve different gemstones - each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. This concept evolved over time with the idea of 12 gemstones, each tied to a specific astrological energy of a month. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers met and standardized a list of stones connected to each month.

The month of December is special as it has four gemstones associated with it. Those born under the winter spell of December can find their favorite of the four or work with the energy of each of these delicious blue color stones. Let's take a closer look at the timeless elegance and ease of December stones.

The Significance of December Birthstones

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Far from the winter blues, December is a month that is synonymous with the qualities of joy, celebration, and reflection. As the final month in our Western calendar, it embodies a mixture of moods. It is a period of light and dark - one where we go inside ourselves and sit with introspection as we process the year and prepare ourselves for the transformation of a calendar change. This contrasts against the other elements of celebration and connection that usually show up around December as communal festivities can take place. It is also a time of the winter solstice and a transition period as one year closes, and another sits on the periphery. 

The birthstones for December are Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Zircon. At first, Lapis Lazuli, with its captivating color, was considered to be a December gemstone choice, but in the 1950s - the Blue Zircon gemstone took its place, and Tanzanite was also added into the fold as it became a popular choice of stone.

December's Diverse Gemstones

Turquoise

Turquoise is one of the sacred stones. It takes its name from the French for Turkish Stone and was one of the first gemstones ever to be mined. Turquoise has long held spiritual significance, from its close connection with Native American cultures to the Aztecs and Ancient Egyptians; this distinct color stone symbolizes many things - but protection and tranquility come at the top of that list. Turquoise can help with truth-seeking, strengthening your skills of communication, opening the throat chakra, and bringing you to a place of emotional balance and serenity. 

Blue Topaz

There is a wide range of Topaz gemstones out there, but Blue Topaz is the one that matches the mood of December. Even Blue Topaz comes in a variety of colors and shades - from Sky Blue to Swiss and deep London Blue; these blue gemstones are a dream. Blue Topaz is high on the Mohs scale of hardness - like diamond. Blue Topaz takes its name from the Sanskrit word for fire. This vibrant blue stone sparks with life and positive energy. Blue Topaz is a communication stone and can help you reach for that clarity when it comes to feelings. It also boosts confidence, finetunes focus, and prevents feelings of overwhelm. If you want to find the best Blue Topaz stones, look for those with sparkles across the surface, as equal sparkle indicates a good cut and one that is clean to the eye when it comes to clarity.

Tanzanite

A unique stone with a swathe of colors - the blue and purple of Tanzanite capture the shifting moods of transformation. This December birthstone is a beauty. The Tanzanite stone was only discovered back in the 1960s in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro. It was coveted by Tiffany and Co., who renamed and rebranded the gemstone for the 20th-century US and European markets. Tanzanite is known as the stone of transformation, echoed by its rare color-changing properties. The Tanzanite birthstone is also a throat chakra and a third eye chakra gem, and it ensures that your word and your wisdom are always aligned. Wearing bluish-purple Tanzanite jewelry can also be a symbol of insight and spiritual growth. 

Zircon

Blue Zircon may be a modern addition to December birthstones, but it is one of the oldest minerals on Earth. Zircon can be misunderstood as stone as it is often mixed up with cubic zirconia or used as a diamond simulant. But this gem is so special in its own right, and while you can get colorless zircons, it also comes in a range of shades, with Blue Zircon being the blessed choice for December. Geologists love this stone as it contains fragments and secrets dating back over 4 billion years, and when studied, it can tell the tale of ancient rock formations and what happens in the earth's crust. Aside from its rich history, this natural gemstone is known to promote sweet, restful sleep and prosperity.

Choosing Your December Gemstone

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With four beautiful December gemstones to choose from, you can take your pick of these precious stones. One of the most important factors that come with choosing gems (even within your birth month) is to let intuition lead and to see which stone has personal significance or connects with you. Each gemstone brings its own historical significance but also its own healing properties and meaning. When selecting your stone, you can also ponder factors like price range (for example, a natural turquoise birthstone or Blue Zircon may be more affordable than a Tanzanite birthstone or the brilliance of Topaz). Color preference can also play a role - Tanzanite has a deep blue-purple vibe, whereas the color variations for Blue Zircon and Blue Topaz can be brighter and lighter.

Incorporating December Birthstones into Your Life

Welcoming December birthstones into your life means that you carry the energy of joy, peace, connection, and communication with you. One of the best ways to embrace this energy is to choose December birthstones in your choice for jewelry. Wearing these blue-colored stones close to the skin allows them to work with your own vibrations and means you can carry their calming energies with you.

You can also use December birthstones outside of a spiritual fashion sense. You can welcome them into your home or use their metaphysical properties in your spiritual practice. You can place December birthstones on altars and use them in meditation, or you can place crystal ornaments and accessories in your space.  

Caring for December Birthstones

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  • Always clean your gemstones with gentle solutions (like soapy, warm water) and use a soft brush to clean any dirt and a soft cloth to buff them to brilliance.
  • Avoid using harsh chemicals on your gemstones, and stick to gentle, soapy waters instead. Harsh or common chemicals can dull your gemstone's color or even damage the surface of the stone.
  • Some stones like Turquoise, should be taken off while swimming or showering as they are used to dry and arid environments, and exposure to water can cause their color blue to change. 
  • Store your December birthstone jewelry carefully and preferably in a separate place from your other jewelry to avoid any scratching, tangling, or surface damage.  
  • Keep your December birthstones away from direct sunlight, as this can cause their color ranges to fade.
  • Regular cleaning is important - not just on a physical level but also on a spiritual level. You can spiritually cleanse your gemstones by smudging or using clear quartz or selenite.

Conclusion

Turquoise, Blue Zircon, Tanzanite, and Blue Topaz are the four beautiful blue variety stones that capture the essence of the last month of the year. Wearing these gemstones is a gorgeous way of keeping negative energy at bay and ensuring that your mouth is laced with luck, pleasure, protection, and that much-needed balance of connection and introspection. Explore more about the meaning of each of these December gemstones and find the one that calls to you.

FAQs

 What is the real birthstone of December?

Blue Zircon is the modern birthstone of December, but Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Blue Topaz are also considered to be December birthstones too. Once, Lapis Lazuli was considered to be the stone of December, but this changed to make way for Blue Zircon due to popular demand.


Why does December have 3 birthstones?

December actually has four birthstones associated with it - Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz, and Blue Zircon. The reason for having multiple gemstones is unknown, but the consensus is that it was to produce different budget preferences for those buying birthstones. 


What are December two birthstones?

The December birthstones are Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Turquoise. Blue Zircon joined the fold later and replaced Lapis Lazuli as a December birthstone. This means those born during December have four beautiful blue crystals to choose from.


What gem or Colour is December?

December has four birthstones associated with it - these are Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Turquoise. All of these stones come in different color varieties of blue, which means that blue is the color associated with December.

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