December Birthstone Jewellery
When it comes to December birthdays there is a lot of choice for the gems that are commonly accepted as birthstones for this month. Turquoise, tanzanite, blue topaz and zircon are all recognized birthstones for those born in December and align with the zodiac signs of Capricorn and Sagittarius.
It is a common belief that these gemstones embody qualities like wisdom, good fortune, spiritual growth and protection, all of which resonate with the adventurous and inquisitive nature of Sagittarius and the ambitious, grounded characteristic of Capricorn.
But which stone is the most popular gift?
Turquoise gemstones have long been prized for their sky-blue colour and association with heaven. Contemporary additions like topaz and zircon are considered more modern and offer alternatives to gemstones that are beyond some budgets. Tanzanite is a late arrival at the December party, having only been adding to the birthstone list in the mid-20th century.
Each of these gems brings its own colour and shine to jewellery. Bright zircon and faceted topaz add diamond-like shine to jewellery, while turquoise has an earthy quality all its own. The vibrant blue to purple hues of tanzanite are like no other and its rarity makes it an exceptional stone to gift.
Here is a handy summary to help you choose:
| Birthstone | Reasons for Choosing it |
| Turquoise | Ancient tradition, protection and good fortune |
| Zircon | Brilliant shine, popular in machine made jewellery |
| Tanzanite | Extraordinary colour, very rare |
| Topaz | A range of blue tones and affordable |
What is a Birthstone?
In essence a birthstone is a gemstone that represents the birth month or zodiac sign of a person. In medieval times people believed that wearing a birthstone during its corresponding month brought extra protection. Nowadays, however, the birthstone list is used predominantly for the birth month and not necessarily as a guide of what gems to wear for each month of the year.
While the list of accepted stones has evolved over centuries the modern iteration of the stone chart was established in the early 1900s by the National Association of Jewelers in the USA. It includes many traditional stones as well as more recently discovered gems.
The Birthstones for December
December is perhaps the month that most embodies togetherness and celebration as one year draws to a close and we prepare to welcome a new chapter and the promise of a fresh start with a new year.
With the festive season bringing warmth and joy to the colder, shorter days, the colourful birthstones for December of Turquoise, Blue Topaz, Zircon and Tanzanite make particularly meaningful gifts that symbolise love, protection and good fortune in pops of vibrant colour that hark back to joyful summer skies and clear blue seas.
Birthstone Gifting Options
The beauty of birthstones is that they make a versatile gifting option. While they are great for birthdays, why not surprise a Secret Santa with a thoughtful birthstone gift that they may not be expecting. Or add a piece of birthstone jewellery to a gift under the tree in an unexpected Christmas Day celebration of a December birthday often over-looked in the chaos of Christmas planning.
Here are some jewellery suggestions that feature the December birthstones.
1. Turquoise Birthstone for December
The vibrant hues of green and blue natural turquoise have long been treasured throughout history. Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves with turquoise gemstones in earrings, amulets and collar necklaces, believing it bestowed good fortune and offered protection to the wearer. Persians, likewise, wore turquoise to ward off negative energy and to bring prosperity. Native American tribes held turquoise in high regard and it is celebrated in their finest jewellery designs as a symbol of strength, wisdom and connection to the natural world.
The choices for turquoise jewellery are varied. Choose a genuine, natural turquoise stone for refined gifting. Turquoise comes in various shades from green to deep blue and can have natural inclusions that add to the uniqueness of the stone.
If you are shopping on a budget consider a smaller natural stone that still hits the mark for being natural but without the price tag of a larger stone. In place of a larger bracelet or earrings, opt for a simple necklace with a small pendant. Or choose drop earrings with smaller turquoise cabochons.
If the wearer of your gift prefers bold jewellery then consider more modern alternatives like compressed or Mojave (also known as Mohave) turquoise that is made from genuine turquoise pieces that are compressed, sometimes with seams of glistening gold-coloured bronze or warm copper. Compressed turquoise is more easily manipulated and shaped, allowing it to be rendered in more creative ways than traditional turquoise gemstones.
It also comes in a variety of tones that make it suitable for mounting in metals like copper and bronze as well as precious metals like silver, gold and gold vermeil. It is a great choice for a bold piece of turquoise jewellery that is more affordable while still retaining the look and feel of the natural stone.
2. Tanzanite Gemstones
A new gemstone was discovered in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania in the late 1960s that displayed vibrant flashes of blue and violet. It was identified as a variety of zoisite and named Blue Zoisite.
Tiffany & Co were the first high end jewellery brand to recognise the potential of this new one-source gemstone. Tiffany secured the marketing rights and renamed the new discovery Tanzanite and began promoting it exclusively in Tiffany jewellery. Given its rarity and the singular uniqueness of its vibrant colour, Tanzanite was an instant hit. The association with Tiffany also sealed its place as a gem typically found in high end jewellery.
Modern Tiffany Collections like the Soleste and Bird on a Rock lines continue to feature tanzanite, often with a halo of diamonds or dangling bezels that showcase the vibrancy of this rare stone to best effect.
Tanzanite was officially inducted into the birthstone calendar in 2002, the first modern gem to added in over 50 years. Given its limited supply Tanzanite is an expensive gemstone to use in jewellery making, meaning it is often only teamed with the finest metals like gold and platinum. It can be found in sterling silver and looks best next to a precious metal with cool tones that allow the depth of colour of this unique gem to shine.
3. Zircon
In 1952 the American Jewellery Industry body removed Lapis Lazuli and added Zircon to the list of accepted birthstones for December. Its natural sparkle means it is an affordable option for mass produced jewellery that needs to shine like a diamond but that is priced to be accessible. Blue zircon in particular is a great choice for mid-range jewellery in most precious metals.
With a Mohs hardness rating of 6.5 to 7 zircon is a more brittle stone and faceted edges and corners are prone to breaking or chipping meaning it is better suited to earrings or a bezel-setting with a raised edge that protects the delicate faceted cuts from the damage of everyday wear.
4. Blue Topaz Gems
While not as shiny as zircon, Blue Topaz brings a certain refined glamour to jewellery with its muted tones of light and mid blue. A facet cut introduces more sparkle and like most blue gemstones it looks best again a cool precious metal like sterling silver, white gold or platinum.
Blue topaz has a hardness of 8 on the Mohs scale, meaning it is durable and relatively scratch-resistant, making it a good choice for daily wear jewellery items like rings and necklaces.
How to Review the Birthstone for December
There is something appealing about having so many birthstones to choose from for a December birthday. It may be easier to think of them this way:
Turquoise - carries the wisdom and protection of ancient traditions
Zircon and Topaz - the brilliance and promise of the present
Tanzanite - the beauty of change and new beginnings
An interesting point about birthstones in Britain, while the American birthstone list was standardised in the early 1900s, British jewellers developed their own list which is why you may see different birthstone combinations in British jewellery guides.
To summarise, there is no better gift to receive than one that has been considered and chosen with care based on who you are as a unique individual. This is one of the reasons why birthstone jewellery is so popular and has never really fallen out of favour in the way that other jewellery trends have become dated.
