Knowledge Center

As the days truly shorten and the festive spirit takes hold, December arrives with not one, but three magnificent blue birthstones: Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite! This trifecta of dazzling blues offers a rich palette, ensuring there's a perfect gem to capture the essence of every December celebration and personality.

Each of these beautiful stones possesses its own unique charm, history, and distinct shade of blue. Let's unwrap these December delights!

Turquoise: The Ancient Sky Stone

First up is Turquoise, a gem with a history as ancient and deep as its captivating blue-green hue. For millennia, cultures across the globe have revered turquoise, believing it to be a sacred stone of protection, wisdom, and good fortune. Its name, derived from the French "pierre turquoise" (Turkish stone), refers to the trade route that brought it from Central Asia to Europe.

Color & Origin: Turquoise typically ranges from sky blue to greenish-blue, often with intriguing veins or a matrix of the host rock running through it (often black, brown, or yellowish-brown limonite). This matrix can create unique patterns, from spiderweb-like designs to irregular blotches, adding to its character. Its color comes from copper, and when iron is present, it leans more towards green.

The highest quality turquoise has historically come from Iran (Persian turquoise), renowned for its pure "robin's egg" blue with no matrix. Today, significant sources include the Southwestern United States (Arizona and Nevada are famous for mines like Sleeping Beauty, Kingman, and Lone Mountain), China, Mexico, and Chile.

Symbolism and Lore: Turquoise is deeply rooted in protective lore. It was believed to warn its wearer of danger by changing color, and was worn by ancient warriors for strength and protection. It's associated with:

• Protection: A powerful amulet against negative energy and misfortune.

• Healing & Wellness: Promotes spiritual attunement and emotional balance.

• Friendship: Symbolizes strong bonds and lasting friendships.

Caring for Your Turquoise: Turquoise is relatively soft (5-6 on the Mohs scale) and porous. It can be sensitive to chemicals, oils, and even direct sunlight, which can alter its color.

• Avoid contact with perfumes, lotions, and cleaning agents.

• Clean with only warm water and mild soap, using a very soft cloth.

• Store separately from other jewelry to prevent scratches.

• It's often stabilized with resin to enhance durability and improve color, which is a common and accepted practice.

Zircon: The Brilliant Sparkler

Next is Zircon, a natural wonder often confused with cubic zirconia (a synthetic diamond simulant). Zircon, however, is a fascinating and beautiful gemstone in its own right, prized for its remarkable brilliance and fire – a dispersion of light that gives it a dazzling sparkle. While it comes in a wide range of colors (including colorless, yellow, orange, brown, and red), the stunning blue zircon is December's primary birthstone variety.

Color & Origin: Natural blue zircon is relatively rare. Most of the vibrant blue zircons on the market are heat-treated brown zircons. The most famous source for blue zircon is Cambodia, particularly the Ratanakiri province, and Vietnam. Other sources include Myanmar (Burma), Sri Lanka, and Australia.

Symbolism and Lore: Zircon has been around for thousands of years and was believed to offer various benefits:

• Wisdom & Clarity: Promotes clear thinking and dispels negative energy.

• Prosperity: Attracts wealth and honor.

• Sleep & Protection: Believed to ensure a good night's sleep and protect travelers.

Caring for Your Zircon: Zircon is a brittle gem (6-7.5 on the Mohs scale), meaning it can chip easily, especially along facet edges.

• Avoid sharp blows and protect it from rough wear.

• Clean with warm, soapy water and a soft brush.

• Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally not recommended, especially for heat-treated stones, as some colors can be unstable under heat or UV light.

Tanzanite: The Modern Marvel

The newest kid on the block, Tanzanite, was only discovered in 1967 at the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania – its only known commercial source! Its rapid rise to popularity is a testament to its absolutely captivating color, making it a beloved addition to December's birthstone lineup.

Color & Origin: Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite, and it is famous for its mesmerizing pleochroism – meaning it can display different colors (blue, violet, and sometimes reddish-brown) when viewed from different angles. Its most prized color is a vibrant, intense blue with a violet flash, often described as "sapphire blue with a hint of purple." Most tanzanite on the market is heat-treated to enhance its beautiful blue-violet hues from naturally occurring brownish stones.

Symbolism and Lore: Despite its recent discovery, tanzanite has quickly garnered significant symbolic meaning:

• Transformation: Represents new beginnings and spiritual growth.

• Wisdom & Intuition: Believed to enhance insight and understanding.

• Harmony: Promotes balance and composure.

Caring for Your Tanzanite: Tanzanite is moderately hard (6-7 on the Mohs scale) but is known for being sensitive to sudden temperature changes and hard impacts, which can cause it to crack or cleave.

• Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.

• Clean gently with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth.

• It's best suited for jewelry that isn't subjected to daily knocks and bumps, such as earrings, pendants, or rings for occasional wear.

December's Blues: A Spectrum of Choice!

With Turquoise's ancient charm, Zircon's fiery brilliance, and Tanzanite's modern allure, December-born individuals are truly spoiled for choice! Each gem offers a unique shade of blue and a distinct personality, allowing for personal expression and a beautiful connection to the month of birth. Whether you prefer a touch of history, a dazzling sparkle, or a contemporary pop of color, December's birthstones have you covered.

Which blue will you be unwrapping this holiday season?