December Birthstone: Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon Guide
December babies get a choice no other month can match: three official birthstones — turquoise, tanzanite and zircon— and all three are blue. Whether you lean toward one of the oldest gems humans have ever worn, one of the newest ever discovered, or the most misunderstood stone in the jewellery case, December has you covered.
What is the December birthstone?
All three stones share the title. Turquoise is the ancient traditional stone, zircon the historical alternative, and tanzanitethe modern addition (added in 2002). The common thread is the colour of a December sky: blue, in three very different personalities.
Turquoise: the ancient one
Turquoise may be the oldest gem in continuous human use — it adorned Egyptian pharaohs (Tutankhamun's burial mask is inlaid with it) and has been sacred in Persian and Native American cultures for millennia. It symbolises protection, friendship and good fortune; in several traditions, a turquoise given by a friend was said to protect the wearer from harm, which makes it a naturally meaningful gift.
Its sky-blue to blue-green colour is so distinctive the gem named the colour, not the other way around. Turquoise is opaque and relatively soft (5–6 Mohs), so it lives best in earrings, pendants and occasional-wear pieces, and it should be kept away from cosmetics, perfume and harsh cleaners, which can discolour it. It marks the 11th wedding anniversary.
Tanzanite: the new one
Tanzanite has the best scarcity story in gemstones: discovered only in 1967, it is found in just one place on Earth — a few square kilometres near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. Its violet-blue shifts between blue and purple depending on the light and viewing angle, and fine stones rival sapphire's beauty at a gentler price.
Tanzanite symbolises new beginnings and transformation — apt for a stone younger than many of the people wearing it — and marks the 24th wedding anniversary. At 6–7 on the Mohs scale it suits earrings and pendants for everyday wear, with rings reserved for gentler duty. Virtually all tanzanite is heat-treated to develop its violet-blue; as ever, standard and stable.
Zircon: the misunderstood one
First, the record corrected: zircon is not cubic zirconia. Zircon is a natural mineral, one of the oldest on Earth — geologists have dated zircon crystals at over four billion years — while cubic zirconia is a lab-made diamond imitation with a confusingly similar name. Natural blue zircon has brilliance and fire approaching diamond's, which made it a Victorian favourite, and it remains the most underrated sparkle-per-dollar buy in coloured stones.
Zircon symbolises wisdom and prosperity. At 6–7.5 Mohs with some brittleness, it follows the same wear advice as tanzanite: brilliant in earrings and pendants, careful in rings.
Which December birthstone should you choose?
A simple way to split them: choose turquoise for the bohemian, the history-lover, or anyone whose style leans earthy and distinctive; tanzanite for elegance — it's the most "fine jewellery" of the three and the closest in spirit to sapphire; and blue zircon for someone who loves sparkle above all. Whichever way you go, December's blues flatter both silver-toned and gold settings — browse our gemstone jewellery, earrings and necklaces, or the full birthstone jewellery range. December birthdays compete with Christmas, so a birthstone piece — unmistakably a birthday gift — is a thoughtful way to keep the two occasions separate; shop by budget from gifts under $100 and under $200.
How to care for December birthstones
All three prefer the gentle routine: warm soapy water, soft cloth, no ultrasonic or steam cleaners. Turquoise additionally wants distance from perfume, oils and prolonged sun. Store each piece separately — all three are soft enough to be scratched by harder neighbours.
Frequently asked questions
What is the birthstone for December?
December has three official birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon — all naturally blue.
Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?
No. Zircon is a natural gemstone billions of years old; cubic zirconia is a man-made diamond imitation. Only the names are similar.
Why is tanzanite special?
It was discovered only in 1967 and is mined in a single small area of Tanzania — a one-source gem, which makes it genuinely rarer than diamond.
Can December birthstones be worn every day?
In earrings and pendants, yes. All three are softer than sapphire or diamond, so rings are better as occasional pieces, and turquoise should be kept away from cosmetics and chemicals.
What does turquoise symbolise?
Protection, friendship and good fortune — traditions across Egypt, Persia and the Americas have treated turquoise as a protective stone for thousands of years.
Shop this birthstone
Looking for the perfect piece? Explore our December birthstone jewellery collection — earrings, pendants and rings in December's three blues. A birthstone piece is a thoughtful way to keep a December birthday separate from Christmas.
Prefer to browse everything in one place? Visit our birthstone jewellery hub to shop by any month. Free express shipping on orders over $99, with Afterpay and Zip available.
Find your birthstone by month
Every month has its own gem. Explore the full series:
January - Garnet · February – Amethyst · March – Aquamarine · April – Diamond · May – Emerald · June – Pearl · July – Ruby · August – Peridot · September – Sapphire · October – Opal · November – Topaz & Citrine