December babies close the year in style with not one but three birthstones — and all of them are blue. From the ancient, sky-blue turquoise to the rare violet-blue tanzanite to the brilliant, fiery zircon, December’s trio offers a beautiful spectrum of blues to suit every taste and budget. At Gems Lore, here’s your complete guide to all three December birthstones: their meanings, histories, colors, rarity, and how to choose them as a gift.
A quick frame first: gemstone meanings come from tradition and symbolism, not science — and December’s three stones each carry their own rich story.
Why Does December Have Three Birthstones?
December draws from both traditional and modern lists, and over time three blue stones became associated with the month. Turquoise is the ancient, traditional December birthstone, treasured for millennia. Zircon (the natural gem, not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia) is also traditional. And tanzanite — discovered only in the 1960s — was added as a stunning modern option. Three stones means a December baby can choose ancient, rare, or brilliant, all in beautiful blue.
(Some lists also include blue topaz and lapis lazuli for December — see our lapis lazuli meaning guide for that storied blue stone.)
Turquoise: December’s Ancient Birthstone
Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones, prized across civilizations for its unmistakable sky-blue to blue-green color.
About Turquoise
Turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate mineral, opaque and waxy in luster, often crossed by dark veins of host rock called “matrix.” Its color ranges from robin’s-egg blue to green, depending on its copper and iron content.
Quick facts:
- Mineral: Copper aluminum phosphate
- Color: Sky blue to blue-green, often with dark matrix veining
- Hardness: 5–6 on the Mohs scale — relatively soft and porous, needs careful handling
- Main sources: the USA (the Southwest), Iran (historically the finest), and China
- Good to know: porous and water-sensitive; keep it away from water, oils, and chemicals
Turquoise History and Meaning
Few stones have a history as deep as turquoise. It adorned Egyptian pharaohs (including Tutankhamun’s burial mask), was sacred to Persian and Native American cultures, and was used in jewelry and amulets across the ancient world. Native American peoples of the Southwest have prized it for centuries as a sacred stone of protection and connection to the sky.
Traditionally, turquoise symbolizes protection, wisdom, good fortune, and healing. It was long worn as a protective talisman — believed to guard travelers and warriors — and remains one of the most beloved stones in crystal tradition. We touch on its protective reputation in our crystals for protection guide.
A Note on Turquoise Treatments
Because natural turquoise is soft and porous, much of it is treated to improve durability and color — commonly stabilized (impregnated with resin to harden it) or, less desirably, dyed or reconstituted (powder bound with resin). Stabilized turquoise is widely accepted and a practical choice; dyed howlite or magnesite sold as turquoise is a common fake. A reputable seller will disclose treatment — learn to spot imitations in our how to spot fake crystals guide.
Tanzanite: December’s Rare Modern Birthstone
Tanzanite is the youngest birthstone of all — and one of the rarest gems on earth, found in only one place in the world.
About Tanzanite
Tanzanite is the blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite. Its color is extraordinary: a deep, velvety blue with flashes of violet and purple, and it’s pleochroic, meaning it shows different colors (blue, violet, even burgundy) depending on the viewing angle.
Quick facts:
- Mineral: Zoisite (blue-violet variety)
- Color: Deep blue to violet-purple
- Hardness: 6–7 on the Mohs scale — moderate, and somewhat prone to chipping, so needs care
- Source: only Tanzania, in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro
- Good to know: most tanzanite is heat-treated to bring out its blue; handle with care
Tanzanite History and Meaning
Tanzanite was discovered only in 1967, in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania — its sole source on earth. The jeweler Tiffany & Co. named it “tanzanite” after its country of origin and introduced it to the world, where its vivid blue-violet quickly made it a sensation. Because it comes from one limited deposit, tanzanite is considered far rarer than many traditional gems — some say it’s a thousand times rarer than diamond.
Traditionally (in its short modern life), tanzanite is associated with transformation, intuition, and calm — fitting for a stone of such unusual depth and color.
A Note on Tanzanite Treatment
Most tanzanite is heat-treated to transform its natural brownish tones into the prized blue-violet — a standard, accepted, and stable treatment that a reputable seller will note. Untreated tanzanite is rare.
Zircon: December’s Brilliant Birthstone
Zircon is December’s most underrated stone — a natural gem of real brilliance and fire, often confused (unfairly) with the synthetic imitation cubic zirconia.
About Zircon — Not Cubic Zirconia!
Let’s clear this up first: natural zircon is a genuine, beautiful gemstone and is NOT the same as cubic zirconia. Cubic zirconia (CZ) is a man-made diamond simulant; zircon is a natural mineral (zirconium silicate) that has been treasured for thousands of years. The similar names cause endless confusion, but they are entirely different materials.
Quick facts:
- Mineral: Zirconium silicate (a natural gem)
- Color: Blue (the December favorite), but also colorless, yellow, red, and brown
- Hardness: 6–7.5 on the Mohs scale — durable enough for jewelry with some care
- Good to know: prized for its brilliance and fire, which rival a diamond’s
Zircon History and Meaning
Zircon is one of the oldest minerals on earth — some zircon crystals are over 4 billion years old, making them among the most ancient materials ever found. As a gem it has been valued since antiquity and was popular in Victorian jewelry, especially blue zircon. Traditionally, zircon symbolizes wisdom, prosperity, and protection, and was believed to promote restful sleep and ward off harm. Most blue zircon is heat-treated to achieve its color, which is standard and accepted.
Which December Birthstone Should You Choose?
With three blue stones, it comes down to taste and budget:
- Turquoise — ancient, distinctive, and affordable, with its unique sky-blue color and matrix; soft, so best in protected settings.
- Tanzanite — rare, luxurious, and breathtakingly blue-violet; a special-occasion gem (and a fine choice for a once-in-a-lifetime piece).
- Zircon — brilliant and fiery like a diamond, underrated and often very affordable; the hidden gem of the three.
There’s a December stone for every style and budget — from earthy turquoise to luxurious tanzanite to sparkling zircon.
Who Is the December Birthstone For?
Beyond December birthdays, the month’s stones connect to the zodiac signs that span it: Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21) and Capricorn (December 22 – January 19). Turquoise’s protective, adventurous energy is often considered a fine match for the traveler’s sign, Sagittarius.
Turquoise is the traditional 11th wedding anniversary gem, and tanzanite the 24th — see our anniversary gemstones by year guide.
Gift Ideas for a December Birthday
December’s trio offers gifts for every taste and budget:
- Turquoise jewelry — distinctive and earthy, especially in Southwestern or silver settings; a beloved, affordable classic.
- A tanzanite piece — a luxurious, rare blue-violet gem for a truly special gift, ideal as a pendant or earrings (gentler on the stone than a ring).
- Blue zircon — a brilliant, fiery, and surprisingly affordable way to give a sparkling gemstone.
- A turquoise cabochon or raw specimen — affordable and lovely for crystal lovers, paired with a note about protection.
- Mix the blues — turquoise with a touch of tanzanite or zircon makes a striking, personal gift.
For more inspiration across stones and budgets, see our crystal gifts for a birthday guide.
Caring for December’s Birthstones
The three December stones all need some care, turquoise especially.
Turquoise (5–6) is soft and porous, so keep it away from water, perfume, oils, lotions, and chemicals (which can discolor it), wipe it with a soft cloth, and store it separately. Even skin oils can change untreated turquoise over time. Never soak it.
Tanzanite (6–7) can chip and is sensitive to sudden temperature changes and ultrasonic cleaners, so clean it gently with mild soap and water and protect it from knocks.
Zircon (6–7.5) is more durable but can abrade at facet edges, so store it separately and clean it gently.
For general guidance, see our how to cleanse crystals guide, and check water safety in our crystals you can put in water guide (turquoise is a definite “keep dry”).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the December birthstone?
December has three birthstones: turquoise (the ancient, traditional stone), zircon (a brilliant natural gem), and tanzanite (a rare modern stone). All three are blue, so a December baby can choose ancient, brilliant, or rare.
Why does December have three birthstones?
Because both traditional and modern lists exist, and three blue stones became associated with the month — turquoise and zircon traditionally, and tanzanite as a modern addition after its 1960s discovery.
What color is the December birthstone?
All three are blue: turquoise is sky blue to blue-green (often with dark veining), tanzanite is deep blue to violet-purple, and zircon’s December form is a bright blue (though it occurs in other colors too).
Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?
No — this is a common confusion. Natural zircon is a genuine, ancient gemstone (zirconium silicate), while cubic zirconia is a man-made diamond imitation. They are entirely different materials despite the similar names.
Why is tanzanite so rare?
Tanzanite is found in only one small area on earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. That single, limited source makes it far rarer than many traditional gems — by some estimates a thousand times rarer than diamond.
How do I care for turquoise?
Very carefully. Turquoise is soft and porous, so keep it away from water, perfume, oils, lotions, and chemicals, which can discolor it. Wipe it with a soft cloth, store it separately, and never soak it.
Which December birthstone is the most valuable?
Fine tanzanite is generally the most valuable of the three, thanks to its single-source rarity and vivid blue-violet color. High-grade natural turquoise (especially untreated stones from prized mines) can also be valuable, while blue zircon is usually the most affordable — making it the hidden bargain of December’s trio.
Where to Go From Here
December’s three birthstones close the year in beautiful blue — the ancient sky-blue of turquoise, the rare violet depths of tanzanite, and the diamond-like fire of zircon. Whether you want earthy, luxurious, or brilliant, December offers a stone to match.
Explore every month in our birthstones by month chart, discover another storied blue stone in our lapis lazuli meaning guide, see the month before in our November birthstone guide, and revisit the start of the year in our January birthstone guide. Explore more any time here at Gems Lore.
Are you a December baby? Tell us which of the three blues is your favorite in the comments.
