December Birthstones: Meanings, History & the Three Blue Gems of December

People born in December are lucky enough to have three December birthstones to choose from—turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. Although each stone has a blue hue, every one has a unique history, symbolism, and appearance. Below is a complete guide to the meaning and properties of December birthstones.

Turquoise – The Traditional December Birthstone

Image from GIA Institute

Turquoise is the oldest and most traditional December birthstone, treasured for thousands of years. This gemstone can be semi-transparent or opaque, with colors ranging from sky blue to green. Many turquoise stones display dark veining known as “matrix,” while highly prized varieties feature a vibrant, even color. 

Persian turquoise is the most prized variety, celebrated for its vivid, evenly saturated sky-blue color and its characteristically minimal to nonexistent matrix. Sourced historically from Iran’s ancient mines, this premium turquoise has been admired for centuries for its purity, durability, and remarkable hue. Its clean, uninterrupted color makes it highly sought after for fine jewelry and collector-grade pieces.

Sleeping Beauty Turquoise is renowned for its pure, robin’s-egg blue color and its exceptionally low to absent matrix. Mined exclusively from the Sleeping Beauty Mine in Arizona before its closure, this turquoise is treasured for its smooth, uniform appearance and vibrant hue. Its clean, unblemished look makes it one of the most recognizable and sought-after varieties in the world.

This gemstone forms in arid, copper-rich regions, which give turquoise its iconic color. With a hardness of 5–6 on the Mohs scale, it requires gentle wear.

History & Meaning of Turquoise

Turquoise has been mined since 6000 BCE in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula. Its name likely comes from the French pierre tourques (“Turkish stone”) due to ancient trade routes.

Across cultures, turquoise symbolized protection, health, and peace:

·         Egypt: Used in royal jewelry, including King Tutankhamun’s funerary mask.

Mark Fischer via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

·         China: Carved for over 3,000 years into jewelry, beads, and ceremonial objects.

Image via GIA Institute, Ornate Vase from Geological Museum in Beijng, China

·         Indigenous cultures of the Americas: The Apache linked it to rainbows, Pueblo peoples connected its blue to the sky, and Hopi traditions associated it with lizards.

Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace that sold from Beeghly & Co.'s 2025 Annual Estate Sale

Turquoise is also the 11th wedding anniversary gemstone.

Care: Clean with warm, soapy water only. Do not use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.

Tanzanite – The Modern December Birthstone

Image from GIA Institute

Tanzanite is the newest December birthstone, discovered less than 60 years ago. It is found in only one location on Earth: a small region of Tanzania near Mount Kilimanjaro. Tiffany & Company named the gemstone to highlight its exclusive geographic origin with a promotion in 1968.

This gemstone is loved for its blue-violet pleochroism, meaning it shows different colors from different angles. Most gem-quality tanzanite is heat treated to enhance its vivid blue-purple hue.

With a hardness of 6–7, it is moderately durable but sensitive to sudden temperature changes.

Tanzanite is also the 24th anniversary gemstone.

Care: Clean with warm, soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners.

Zircon – A Brilliant and Ancient December Birthstone

Image from GIA Institute

Zircon is another traditional December gemstone, known for its exceptional brilliance and wide range of colors—blue, yellow, green, brown, red, and clear. Blue zircon is the variety linked to December.

The name zircon may come from the Arabic zarkun (“vermillion”) or Persian zargun (“gold-colored”). It holds the title of the oldest known mineral on Earth, with samples from Australia dated at 4.4 billion years old.

Zircon Meaning & History

In the Middle Ages, zircon symbolized wisdom, honor, and restful sleep. Although clear zircon was once used as a diamond substitute, its natural beauty and affordability have restored its popularity.

Zircon is mined in Sri Lanka, Australia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar, often near sapphire deposits. It has a hardness of 6–7.5, though it may abrade with rough wear. Blue zircon is often produced through heat treatment.

Care: Clean gently with mild, soapy water. Avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners.

Find the Perfect December Birthstone Jewelry

Whether you're drawn to the ancient beauty of turquoise, the rarity of tanzanite, or the brilliance of zircon, December offers a gemstone for every style.

Explore our December Birthstone Collection to discover meaningful gift ideas and timeless jewelry pieces.

Credit: Information found from GIA Institute and reviewed by GIA certified gemologist