December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and the Blues of Winter

KEY TAKEAWAYS

December is lucky with not one but three birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Blue Zircon
All three are beautiful blues, from ancient sky-blue Turquoise to rare violet-blue Tanzanite
They vary in hardness, so a couple of them are happiest worn with a little care, especially in rings
A December birthday sits right in the gift season, which makes any of these a warm holiday choice

What’s Inside

December’s Trio of Blues
Meet the Three Stones
Wearing December Blues
A December Gift
December Birthstone FAQ

December’s Trio of Blues

If your birthday lands in December, you get to be a little spoiled. The December birthstone is not one stone but three, a whole trio to choose from. While some months have one main stone, December offers Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Blue Zircon, three gorgeous takes on blue.

The rare violet-blue of Tanzanite is a personal favorite of mine, but each has its own charm. If you would like to see how December compares to the rest of the year, my birthstone guide covers every month. It is a rare treat to get options, and I think it suits December, the month of celebration.

Meet the Three Stones

Turquoise

The oldest of the three, a warm, chalky sky-blue that people have loved for thousands of years. It is a softer stone, around 5 to 6 on the hardness scale, so it likes gentle wear and a break from chemicals. I love how earthy and lived-in it feels, like a chip of clear winter sky.

Tanzanite

A modern treasure found in just one place on earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro. Its dreamy violet-blue is unlike anything else. At roughly 6 to 7 in hardness it is lovely for necklaces and earrings, and best treated kindly in rings. Like most Tanzanite, its blue-violet is usually brought out by gentle heat.

Blue Zircon

The sparkler of the group, at roughly 6 to 7.5 in hardness, with wonderful brilliance and a bright, clean blue. Blue Zircon is natural Zircon, not Cubic Zirconia, which is a lab-made Diamond lookalike and a different material entirely. Its facet edges can be a little brittle, so rings want gentle wear, and most Blue Zircon gets its color from gentle heat, a common and accepted treatment.

WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY

“I received my bracelet today. What a beauty! The color of the stones is rich and vibrant. The size was a perfect fit. Design and workmanship is excellent.”

– Bobbie, on the Oceanic Bracelet

Solid Gold 14K Larimar and Turquoise Bracelet, Aqua Blue Gemstone Statement Bracelet

Wearing December Blues

Blue is one of the friendliest colors to wear, which makes all three of these stones easy to love. They glow against winter whites and cozy creams, look crisp with denim, and feel wonderfully cool and calming any time of year. I use these blues throughout my Ocean Collection, where they sit beautifully together. Blue also flatters just about everyone, which takes the guesswork out of gifting it.

They also pair lovingly with other blues. Tanzanite next to Rainbow Moonstone is a favorite of mine, and any of them mix happily with the sea-blue Aquamarine from March. All these blues are cousins in spirit, and they layer together without a hint of clash.

“December birthdays get three shades of blue to choose from. I always tell people to pick the one that makes them exhale the moment they see it.”

A December Gift

There is something lucky about a December birthday landing right in the season of giving. A birthstone piece feels extra special tucked among the holiday lights, and it says you thought about them, not just the calendar. Any of these three blues makes a warm, personal gift. It quietly does double duty, marking both a birthday and the holidays at once.

If you have a particular blue in mind, from soft Turquoise to deep Tanzanite, I can source the stones and build a piece by hand. Just tell me the shade you are picturing and we will begin. There is real joy in wrapping up a stone chosen for one specific person.

COMMON QUESTIONS

December Birthstone FAQ

What is the birthstone for December?

December has three modern birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Blue Zircon. All are lovely blues, so you get to choose the tone and stone you love best, from warm sky-blue to deep violet-blue.

Which December stone is the most durable?

Blue Zircon and Tanzanite are a bit harder than Turquoise, but none are as tough as a Sapphire. For everyday rings I would treat all three gently. For necklaces and earrings, any of them wears beautifully with normal care.

Is Tanzanite really that rare?

Yes. Tanzanite is found in only one small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which is part of its allure. That single source is why it feels like such a special, once-in-a-generation kind of stone.

Can you make a custom December birthstone piece?

I would love to. Tell me which blue speaks to you, and how you like to wear jewelry, on my custom orders page, and I will hand-build a December piece just for you.

THREE SHADES OF BLUE