What is the birthstone for December?

December has three birthstones: Turquoise (traditional), Tanzanite (modern, added in 2002), and Zircon (alternative traditional stone). All three are associated with blue tones, making December one of the most consistently colored birthstone months.

What color is the December birthstone?

All three December birthstones share a blue theme. Turquoise is sky blue to blue-green; Tanzanite is a vivid blue-violet; Zircon (the gem variety) ranges from colorless to deep blue. Blue is the dominant color of December birthstones.

Is Tanzanite rarer than diamonds?

Yes — Tanzanite is estimated to be about 1,000 times rarer than diamond. It is found exclusively in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Once this deposit is exhausted, no new source is expected to be found anywhere on Earth.

What is the difference between Zircon and cubic zirconia?

Zircon is a naturally occurring mineral (zirconium silicate) and a genuine gemstone. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a synthetic material (zirconium oxide) manufactured in a lab. They are completely different in chemistry and origin — natural blue Zircon is a prized gem, not an imitation diamond.

What does Turquoise symbolize?

Turquoise has been revered for thousands of years as a symbol of protection, good fortune, and calming energy. Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Native American peoples used it as an amulet and spiritual stone. It is one of the oldest gemstones in human history.

How hard are December birthstones?

Their Mohs hardness ratings differ: Turquoise 5–6 (relatively soft — protect from scratches), Tanzanite 6.5–7 (suitable for jewelry with care), and Zircon 7.5 (durable enough for most jewelry settings). For daily wear, Zircon and Tanzanite are more scratch-resistant than Turquoise.

December Birthstone

Name: December Birthstone
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Author: Nham Vu

December has three birthstones: calming sky-blue Turquoise, rare blue-violet Tanzanite, and ancient Zircon — the oldest mineral on Earth.

December Birthstones

Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon

December claims three beautiful birthstones, each with a distinct shade of blue: the ancient sky-blue Turquoise, the extraordinarily rare blue-violet Tanzanite, and the timeless deep-blue Zircon — the oldest mineral on Earth.

Turquoise

Tanzanite

Zircon

Turquoise at a Glance

Official birthstone: December (traditional)
Classic color: Sky blue to blue-green
Color range: Pale blue, sky blue, blue-green, green
Mohs hardness: 5 – 6 / 10
Crystal system: Triclinic
Chemical formula: CuAl₆(PO₄)₄(OH)₈·4H₂O
Major sources: USA, Iran, China, Mexico, Tibet
Zodiac signs: Sagittarius, Capricorn

Meaning & Symbolism

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones in recorded human history, treasured by ancient Egyptians, Persians, Aztecs, and Native American peoples for thousands of years. Pharaoh Tutankhamun's burial mask is adorned with Turquoise, and Persian kings covered palace walls with it.

In many traditions it is regarded as a protective talisman, believed to bring good fortune to the wearer and ward off evil. Its distinctive sky-blue hue is associated with open skies, calm waters, and mental clarity.

Protection — worn as an amulet against harm in dozens of ancient cultures
Calm & serenity — associated with tranquility and peace of mind
Good fortune — gifted as a luck charm in Native American and Persian tradition
Friendship — traditionally exchanged as a symbol of lasting bonds

Did You Know?

The word "turquoise" comes from the Old French turquois, meaning "Turkish," because the stone was first brought to Europe from Turkey via trade routes.

Natural high-grade Turquoise with no enhancements (called "natural" or "Persian" grade) is rarer and considerably more valuable than the stabilized or treated stones common in the market.

Tanzanite at a Glance

Official birthstone: December (modern, since 2002)
Classic color: Vivid blue-violet
Color range: Violet-blue, blue, indigo, purplish-blue
Mohs hardness: 6.5 – 7 / 10
Crystal system: Orthorhombic
Chemical formula: Ca₂Al₃(SiO₄)₃(OH)
Only source: Tanzania (Merelani Hills only)
Year discovered: 1967

Meaning & Symbolism

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 near Mount Kilimanjaro by a Masai tribesman. Tiffany & Co. named it after Tanzania and launched it to the world market. Because it is found in only one location on Earth, geologists believe the existing deposit may be exhausted within a few decades.

Its blue-violet color is caused by trace amounts of vanadium. Most Tanzanite on the market has been heat-treated to enhance its blue color from its raw brownish-red form.

New beginnings — gifted to new mothers in East Africa for new life and transition
Transformation — associated with spiritual awareness and personal growth
Wisdom & dignity — the deep blue-violet hue is linked to regal composure
Rarity & prestige — estimated to be 1,000 times rarer than diamond

Did You Know?

Tanzanite is trichroic, meaning it can appear blue, violet, or burgundy depending on the viewing angle and light conditions — a rare optical property.

The Merelani Hills mining area in northern Tanzania is only about 7 km long and 2 km wide — the entire global supply of this gem comes from this tiny strip of land.

Zircon at a Glance

Official birthstone: December (traditional alternative)
Classic color: Blue (heat-treated)
Color range: Colorless, blue, golden, green, red, brown
Mohs hardness: 7.5 / 10
Crystal system: Tetragonal
Chemical formula: ZrSiO₄
Major sources: Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Australia
Oldest known age: 4.4 billion years (Jack Hills, Australia)

Meaning & Symbolism

Zircon is the oldest known mineral on Earth — some Zircon crystals found in Western Australia date back 4.4 billion years, predating the formation of the oceans. Despite being a genuine and beautiful gemstone, it is widely misunderstood and confused with synthetic cubic zirconia (CZ).

In medieval times, Zircon was said to promote restful sleep, ward off evil spirits, and bring prosperity. Its high refractive index gives it exceptional brilliance — colorless Zircon was historically used as a substitute for diamond.

Prosperity — associated with abundance and self-confidence
Wisdom — believed to sharpen the mind and support clear decision-making
Protection — worn in the Middle Ages to ward off nightmares and illness
Honor & virtue — used historically as a symbol of integrity and purity

Did You Know?

Zircon is not cubic zirconia. CZ is a synthetic lab-created material; natural Zircon is a true mineral gem with 4.4-billion-year-old examples found in the Jack Hills of Western Australia.

Zircon has one of the highest refractive indices of any natural gem, giving it a brilliance and fire that rivals diamond — colorless Zircon was commonly used as a diamond substitute before synthetics existed.

All Three December Birthstones — Side-by-Side

Property	Turquoise	Tanzanite	Zircon
Color	Sky blue to blue-green	Blue-violet	Blue (also colorless, golden)
Mohs hardness	5 – 6	6.5 – 7	7.5
Rarity	Moderate (high-grade is rare)	Extremely rare (one location)	Fairly common
Origin	USA, Iran, China, Mexico	Tanzania only	Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Myanmar
Primary symbolism	Protection, calm, good fortune	Transformation, new beginnings	Prosperity, wisdom, protection
Known since	~6,000 years ago	1967	Antiquity (mineral 4.4B years old)
Price range	$3 – $200+ per carat	$100 – $1,200+ per carat	$10 – $300 per carat

Summary

December has three birthstones: calming sky-blue Turquoise, rare blue-violet Tanzanite, and ancient Zircon — the oldest mineral on Earth.

How it works

Browse the overview cards at the top to compare all three December birthstones at a glance.
Click a stone tab to see its full profile: color, hardness, origins, and symbolism.
Read the "Did You Know?" fun facts to learn surprising details about each gem.
Use the comparison table at the bottom for a side-by-side view of all three stones.
Consult the FAQ section for answers to common December birthstone questions.

Use cases

Looking up facts before buying a December birthday gift.
Choosing between Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon for a piece of jewelry.
Learning the historical and cultural significance of December gems.
Understanding why Tanzanite is considered one of the rarest gemstones.
School projects or research on gemstone history and mineralogy.
Finding the right stone for a December anniversary or holiday gift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-10 · Reviewed by Nham Vu