The December birthstone is turquoise, with tanzanite and zircon as the other official stones. All three are blue to blue-green in their best-known forms. Turquoise is an opaque sky-blue mineral used for thousands of years, tanzanite is a violet-blue gem found only in Tanzania, and zircon is an ancient, sparkling stone. They are traditionally associated with calm and wisdom.
The stones
- Turquoise · Sky-blue stone of honest words and long journeys
- Tanzanite
- Zircon
Color: Blue · Birth flower: Narcissus, holly
December can be a loud month, full of parties, deadlines and travel, so it is fitting that its birthstones are cool and calm. Blue shows up in all three: the sky-and-sea color of turquoise, the violet-blue flash of tanzanite, and the clear sparkle of blue zircon.
If you are searching for the December birthstone, you may be shopping for a gift or wondering why the list has three names. This page explains what each stone is, the colors to expect, what they traditionally symbolize, how the list developed, how to buy and look after them, and which stones go with the zodiac signs born in December. Turquoise is the traditional choice, but the newer stones are worth knowing about too.
December birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon
The modern list, from the American Gem Society and Jewelers of America, names three December stones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon.
- Turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate. It is opaque, usually sky blue to blue-green, and softer and more porous than most gems, ranking 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. It is the traditional December stone.
- Tanzanite is the blue-violet variety of the mineral zoisite. It ranks around 6.5 to 7 and is found in one small area of Tanzania. It was added to the December list in 2002.
- Zircon is a zirconium silicate with a hardness of about 7.5. It is a natural mineral and should not be confused with cubic zirconia, which is a lab-made diamond simulant. Blue zircon is popular for December.
Why three? Turquoise is the old choice, but it is soft and not a transparent gem. Tanzanite gave the list a vivid modern stone, and zircon is a long-established alternative. Birthstone lists were set by the jewelry trade in 1912 and revised several times. Blue topaz and lapis lazuli are also commonly offered for December as informal alternatives.
December birthstone colors
The December birthstone color is blue, in several moods.
Turquoise ranges from pale robin's-egg to a stronger sky blue and green-blue. Some stones are crossed with veins of the host rock, called matrix, which can be brown, black or gold. Stones from the American Southwest and Iran are among the best known.
Tanzanite shows deep violet-blue, and it can look blue from one angle and purple from another, a property called pleochroism. Natural tanzanite is brownish, and almost all tanzanite is heat treated to bring out its blue.
Zircon occurs in many colors, including red, brown and yellow, but blue zircon is the usual December choice, and its blue is typically produced by heating. It has high brilliance that rivals some more expensive stones.
Overall, December is winter blue: cool sky, deep dusk and clear ice.
December birthstone meaning and symbolism
In crystal lore, turquoise is traditionally associated with protection on journeys, good fortune and calm communication. It has been worn as an amulet in many cultures, including Persia, the Southwest of North America, and Tibet, and different traditions give it their own meanings. Many people wear it as a reminder to speak honestly and keep a steady mind.
Tanzanite, being new, has fewer old stories, but it is modern crystal writing's stone of intuition and transformation, partly because its color shifts between blue and violet.
Zircon has medieval associations with wisdom and restful sleep, though these are folk beliefs, not facts. Zircon crystals are among the oldest minerals ever dated on Earth, which makes them a natural symbol of deep time.
Together, the December stones suggest calm, protection and wisdom for the darkest part of the year. They are symbolic associations from tradition and not scientific fact. A stone cannot treat or prevent illness, and it is no substitute for medical or mental health care. Take whatever meaning is useful to you.
History of the December birthstones
Turquoise is among the oldest gems used by people. Egyptian jewelry containing turquoise dates back several thousand years, and the stone was mined in the Sinai Peninsula. Persian turquoise from the Nishapur area in Iran was prized and traded widely. The English name is generally traced to the French for Turkish, since the stone reached Europe through Turkey.
Tanzanite is a modern story. It was identified in 1967 in the Merelani Hills near Mount Kilimanjaro, and Tiffany & Co. promoted it under the name tanzanite from 1968. Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association added it to the December list in 2002, the first new birthstone in decades.
Zircon has been used in jewelry for centuries, and tiny zircon crystals from Western Australia have been dated to more than four billion years old.
The Breastplate of Aaron is often linked to birthstones, but the connection is debated. The official modern list began with the National Association of Jewelers, now Jewelers of America, in 1912, which gave turquoise for December.
Choosing and caring for December birthstone jewelry
Turquoise is lovely in pendants, beads and earrings, and in rings that are not worn through heavy work. Ask whether it is natural, stabilized (treated with resin to harden it) or reconstituted, because lower-quality stones are often dyed or made from powder. Honest sellers will tell you.
Tanzanite is a good choice for pendants and earrings, with more care in rings because it is softer than sapphire. Zircon has brilliance, but can chip at facet edges, so protective settings help.
Care tips:
- Turquoise is porous, so keep it away from perfume, lotions, oils and soaps. Wipe it with a dry soft cloth.
- Avoid heat and strong sunlight for turquoise, which can change its color.
- Clean tanzanite and zircon with warm water and mild soap, and avoid ultrasonic cleaners and sudden temperature changes.
- Store each stone separately.
For a budget-friendly gift, look at blue topaz or a smaller zircon.
December zodiac signs and their stones
December is shared by Sagittarius, through about December 21, and Capricorn, from about December 22. Zodiac stone lists differ a good deal, so this is tradition rather than rule.
For Sagittarius, turquoise is among the most common suggestions, tied to the sign's love of travel and open horizons, with topaz also on many lists. For Capricorn, stones such as garnet, black onyx and sometimes turquoise or blue zircon appear, matching the sign's reputation for patience and discipline.
Tanzanite is too new to have a classic zodiac role, but modern writers often connect it with Sagittarius and Capricorn alike.
You are welcome to choose a stone for its color alone, since that is how most birthstones are picked in practice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the December birthstone?
The December birthstone is turquoise, and the modern list also includes tanzanite and zircon. Turquoise is the traditional stone, tanzanite was added in 2002, and zircon is a long-standing alternative. All three are blue in their most popular forms. Choose by color and budget.
What color is the December birthstone?
Blue. Turquoise is sky blue to blue-green, tanzanite is a deep violet-blue and blue zircon is a bright, clear blue. If you want one answer for December, think of cool winter blue, with turquoise as the classic version of it.
Does December have three birthstones?
Yes. December has turquoise, tanzanite and zircon on the modern American list. Turquoise is traditional, tanzanite joined in 2002, and zircon gives a sparkling, transparent option. Blue topaz is also a popular informal alternative for December. The three differ a lot in hardness, price and look, so it helps to see them in person.
What does the December birthstone mean?
In crystal lore, turquoise is associated with protection on journeys and calm communication, tanzanite with intuition, and zircon with wisdom. These are traditional meanings, not science, and a stone cannot take the place of medical or mental health care. Treat the meaning as a personal prompt.
What is the December birth flower?
The December birth flowers are the narcissus and holly. Narcissus, including paperwhites, blooms indoors in winter, and holly brings red berries and green leaves to the season. Both pair nicely with a blue December stone in a gift or a bouquet.
Angel number meanings are for reflection and inspiration. They are not predictions, and they are not medical, legal or financial advice.