What is December’s Birthstone? The Complete Guide
- Geschreven door Provence Team
- Updated on september 10, 2026
Inhoudsopgave
December is one of the few months with more than one birthstone. Its three traditional birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, joined more recently by blue topaz, a modern addition prized for its durability and vivid color. All four gemstones share a cool, wintry palette of blues, and each carries its own meaning — from protection and good fortune to clarity, transformation, and calm. Whether you're shopping for a birthday gift or simply curious about the stones tied to your birth month, here's everything you need to know.
December Birthstone Fast Facts
- Traditional birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon
- Modern addition: Blue Topaz
- Signature colors: Sky blue, violet-blue, greenish-blue, deep London blue
- Hardness range: 5 to 8 on the Mohs scale
- Best suited for: Earrings and pendants (all four); rings for the harder stones
Symbolism: Protection, transformation, clarity, and calm
Why Does December Have More Than One Birthstone?
Birthstone lists were never fixed in stone. They developed over centuries, shaped by regional traditions, ancient trade routes, and — more recently — the jewelry trade itself. Turquoise has been treasured across cultures for thousands of years and is widely regarded as December's original, traditional birthstone. Tanzanite and zircon were added to modern birthstone lists to give shoppers more choice and a wider range of price points, while blue topaz became a popular alternative thanks to its affordability, durability, and rich blue tone.
The result is that anyone born in December has four distinct gemstones to choose from, each with its own personality, history, and price range — rather than being limited to a single option.
December Birthstones at a Glance
Before diving into each stone individually, here's how all four compare side by side on the factors that matter most when choosing birthstone jewelry.
Steen | Kleurenassortiment | Mohs-hardheid | Betekenis | Best Jewelry Use | Value Tier | Care Level |
Turquoise | Robin's-egg blue to greenish-blue | 5–6 | Protection, good fortune | Earrings, pendants, occasional rings | Accessible to high | Delicate — avoid water & chemicals |
Tanzaniet | Blue to violet-blue | 6–7 | Transformation, insight | Earrings, pendants, protected-setting rings | Mid to high | Moderate — avoid heat shock |
Zircon | Blue (also multicolor) | 6–7,5 | Clarity, prosperity | Earrings, pendants, protected rings | Accessible to mid | Moderate — avoid rough wear |
Blue Topaz | Pale sky to deep London blue | 8 | Calm, communication | Everyday rings, all jewelry types | Accessible | Low — most durable of the four |
Turquoise: The Traditional December Birthstone
History and Origins
Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones used in jewelry, with a documented history stretching back more than 3,000 years. Ancient Egyptian rulers wore it, Persian artisans prized it for royal jewelry, and it holds deep spiritual significance among Indigenous peoples of the American Southwest. This long, cross-cultural history is why turquoise is widely considered December's original birthstone.
Meaning and Symbolism
Turquoise is closely associated with protection, healing, and good fortune. Many cultures believed it acted as a guardian stone, worn to ward off negative energy and bring balance to its wearer — a meaning that has carried through to how the stone is gifted today.
Kleur en kwaliteit
Turquoise ranges from soft sky blue to a more greenish blue, often with delicate veining known as matrix. When evaluating turquoise for jewelry, look for even, saturated color and minimal chalkiness — the finest examples show a uniform, vivid blue with little to no visible matrix, while more affordable pieces display more pronounced veining and texture, which many people find equally beautiful.
Duurzaamheid en onderhoud
With a Mohs hardness of only 5 to 6, turquoise is the softest of December's birthstones. It is porous and sensitive to oils, cosmetics, heat, and household chemicals, so it should never be cleaned with ultrasonic or steam devices. A soft, dry cloth or a light wipe with warm water is sufficient.
Best Jewelry Types
Because of its softness, turquoise performs best in earrings, pendants, and necklaces, where it faces less daily friction and impact. If set in a ring, a protective bezel setting and occasional-wear habits will help it last.
Tanzanite: December's Rare, Modern Birthstone
History and Origins
Tanzanite has one of the most remarkable origin stories in the gem world. It was discovered in 1967 in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro and named after Tanzania, the only country on Earth where it is found. Its rapid rise to popularity — helped along by major jewelry houses in the following decade — made it one of the most sought-after gemstone discoveries of the 20th century.
Meaning and Symbolism
Tanzanite is associated with transformation, insight, and new beginnings. Its shifting blue-to-violet color, which can appear to change depending on the angle and light, is often seen as a reflection of personal growth and change.
Kleur en kwaliteit
The finest tanzanite displays a rich, saturated blue-violet with minimal gray undertones. Because color is the primary quality driver, look for stones with even saturation and good clarity; heat treatment — standard across nearly all tanzanite on the market — brings out this signature color and is considered an accepted industry practice, not a defect.
Duurzaamheid en onderhoud
At 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite is more durable than turquoise but still requires care. It can crack under sudden temperature changes or sharp impact. Clean it only with warm, soapy water — never ultrasonic or steam cleaners — and store it separately from harder gemstones that could scratch it.
Best Jewelry Types
Tanzanite shines in earrings and pendants, where it's protected from daily knocks. In rings, a protective setting such as a halo or bezel is recommended, and it's best reserved for occasional rather than everyday wear.
Zircon: December's Ancient, Brilliant Birthstone
History and Origins
Zircon is one of the oldest minerals on Earth — some crystals have been dated at over four billion years old. Despite this ancient pedigree, zircon is often mistaken for a modern diamond simulant due to its name's similarity to cubic zirconia. In reality, it's a completely natural gemstone with its own rich brilliance and history, having been prized since the Middle Ages for its fire and sparkle.
Meaning and Symbolism
Zircon is linked to clarity, focus, and prosperity. It's often chosen by those seeking mental clarity or a fresh sense of direction, with its bright sparkle symbolizing the ability to cut through confusion.
Kleur en kwaliteit
While zircon occurs naturally in red, yellow, green, brown, and colorless varieties, blue zircon — typically produced through heat treatment — is the color most associated with December. Look for stones with strong brilliance and minimal visible inclusions; the best blue zircon rivals diamond in its fire and sparkle.
Duurzaamheid en onderhoud
Zircon ranks 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, making it reasonably hard but prone to chipping along its edges (a trait called brittleness). Clean it with warm, soapy water and a soft brush, and avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaning, which can affect heat-treated color.
Best Jewelry Types
Zircon works well in earrings and pendants where its brilliance can catch the light without excessive risk of chipping. In rings, choose a protective setting that shields the edges from everyday impact.
Blue Topaz: December's Most Durable Birthstone
History and Origins
Topaz itself is the official birthstone for November, but its blue variety has become so closely tied to December's wintry palette that it's widely recognized as a fourth birthstone for the month. Natural blue topaz is typically very pale; the vivid Swiss blue and London blue shades popular today are achieved through safe, industry-standard heat and irradiation treatments.
Meaning and Symbolism
Blue topaz represents calm, clarity of thought, and honest communication — fitting associations for a stone whose clean, cool tones evoke peaceful winter skies.
Kleur en kwaliteit
Blue topaz ranges from a pale, airy sky blue to the deep, saturated tones known as London blue. Because it's produced through consistent treatment processes, color grading is more straightforward than with other December stones — look for strong, even color saturation and excellent clarity, since blue topaz is typically eye-clean.
Duurzaamheid en onderhoud
With a Mohs hardness of 8, blue topaz is the toughest of December's birthstones and well-suited to daily wear. It can still chip if struck sharply along its natural cleavage plane, so avoid hard knocks. Clean with warm, soapy water; ultrasonic cleaners are generally safe but steam is not recommended.
Best Jewelry Types
Blue topaz is the most versatile December birthstone, performing well in rings worn every day as well as earrings, pendants, and statement pieces where larger, more affordable stones can take center stage.
How to Choose the Right December Birthstone for You
With four gemstones to choose from, the right pick comes down to a few practical factors rather than one stone being objectively "better" than another.
Consider How Often You'll Wear It
If you want a piece for daily wear — especially a ring — blue topaz is the clear choice thanks to its Mohs 8 hardness. Zircon and tanzanite are better suited to rings worn occasionally, while turquoise is best kept to earrings, pendants, or necklaces that see less friction and impact.
Consider Your Budget
Blue topaz and most zircon offer excellent value at larger carat sizes, making them budget-friendly choices for bigger, statement-making pieces. Tanzanite and fine-grade turquoise sit at a higher price point due to rarity and sourcing, particularly for larger or exceptionally well-colored stones.
Consider the Color and Mood You Want
Each stone offers a distinct shade of blue: turquoise leans warmer and more opaque, tanzanite shifts into violet, zircon sparkles with a clear, icy blue, and blue topaz ranges from pale to richly saturated. Choosing based on which shade resonates with you personally is just as valid as choosing by durability or price.
Consider the Occasion
A special-occasion gift — an anniversary, milestone birthday, or heirloom piece — can comfortably accommodate a more delicate stone like tanzanite or turquoise, since it won't be exposed to daily wear and tear. For an everyday piece meant to be worn without a second thought, blue topaz or zircon are more practical choices.
Sourcing and Quality: What to Look for When Buying
Because December's birthstones vary widely in treatment methods and natural color, working with a manufacturer or retailer that discloses treatments clearly and sources responsibly matters more than with many other gemstones. Reputable jewelry manufacturers verify gemstone origin, disclose standard treatments such as heat enhancement, and follow consistent quality grading across color, clarity, and cut.
As a fine jewelry manufacturer producing birthstone jewelry in solid gold alongside lab-grown diamonds, moissanite, and natural gemstones, Provençaalse sieraden applies these same standards across every December birthstone piece — from loose stone sourcing through final quality control — whether for retail collections or custom B2B and private-label programs.
Veelgestelde vragen
December has three traditional birthstones — turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon — plus blue topaz, which is widely recognized as a modern fourth option.
Birthstone lists evolved over centuries and were later expanded by the jewelry trade to give buyers more choice across different price points and styles. December ended up with four recognized stones rather than just one.
Traditional birthstones, like turquoise, come from centuries-old cultural and historical associations. Modern birthstones, like tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz, were added later — often because they offered new colors, better durability, or more accessible price points.
All four December birthstones fall within a blue palette: turquoise is sky to greenish-blue, tanzanite is blue to violet, zircon is a bright clear blue, and blue topaz ranges from pale sky blue to deep London blue.
Blue topaz is the most durable option, with a Mohs hardness of 8, making it well-suited to rings and other jewelry worn daily. Zircon is a reasonable middle-ground choice, while turquoise and tanzanite are better reserved for earrings, pendants, or occasional-wear rings.
Tanzanite is generally the most valuable of the four, due to its rarity — it's mined in only one location on Earth. Fine-quality turquoise can also command high prices, while zircon and blue topaz tend to be more accessible.
Blue topaz is not one of the three original traditional birthstones, but it is widely recognized across the jewelry industry as a modern December birthstone thanks to its popularity, durability, and fitting blue color.
