December has three official birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. Turquoise is the traditional December birthstone, zircon joined the list in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002. Some retail lists also use blue topaz as a modern alternate. All four stones share the cool blue palette that defines the December birthstone color.
Below you will find each stone's color, meaning, hardness and care, plus a side by side comparison to help you choose. For every month at a glance, see the birthstone chart by month.
What Is the December Birthstone?
GIA lists three December birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. Turquoise appeared on the first US birthstone list in 1912 beside lapis lazuli, zircon replaced lapis lazuli in 1952, and the American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite in 2002, making December one of only three months with three official stones (GIA; Wikipedia, Birthstone).
The stones on the December list are official on the GIA December birthstone guide and the American Gem Society December birthstone page. The American Gem Society describes December's birthstones as relatively inexpensive, with beauty that rivals precious gemstones.
Blue topaz is the fourth stone you will see on some charts. National Jeweler (2016) reported that several retailers use blue topaz for December instead of zircon, while the trade lists keep turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. If you love blue topaz, it works as a December gift; it is simply not on the official list.
December Birthstone Colors Compared
The December birthstone color is blue, from the green blue of turquoise to the violet blue of tanzanite. The stones differ more in hardness, treatment and price drivers than in color, so compare them before you buy.
| Stone | Color range | Mohs hardness (GIA) | Everyday wear fit | What drives price (GIA) | Common treatment (GIA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Turquoise | Blue to green, often with dark matrix veins | 5 to 6 | Pendants and earrings | Evenness and quality of color | Often stabilized with resin; may be dyed |
| Tanzanite | Blue to violet | 6 to 7 | Earrings and pendants; rings for special occasions | Saturated violetish blue costs more; paler tones are more affordable | Heat treated from brownish zoisite; color is permanent |
| Zircon | Blue for December; also colorless, red, orange, yellow, brown and green | 6 to 7.5 | Pendants and earrings; avoid rough wear | Color, clarity and size, as with most colored gems | Commonly heat treated for blue and colorless |
| Blue topaz (alternate) | Light sky blue to deep blue | 8 | Rings with care (poor toughness) | Mass market gem; inexpensive in smaller sizes | Colorless topaz irradiated and heated; color is permanent |
The everyday wear column is EVRY editorial guidance based on GIA hardness and care notes. A higher Mohs number means better scratch resistance, but toughness matters too, which is why blue topaz still needs a careful setting.
Turquoise: The Traditional December Birthstone
Turquoise is the oldest December birthstone, a semi translucent to opaque gem that GIA describes as ranging from blue to green, often with veins of matrix from its host rock. GIA identifies it as a hydrated copper and aluminum phosphate that forms in dry regions where copper rich groundwater seeps through the rock.
Turquoise meaning centers on protection and good fortune. Ancient Egyptian rulers wore it, Chinese artisans carved it more than 3,000 years ago, and from the 13th century it was believed to protect the wearer from falls. In European tradition, a turquoise ring means "forget me not." Turquoise is also the gem of the 11th wedding anniversary.
The prized even, intense blue is called "robin's egg blue," "sky blue" or "Persian blue," after the Nishapur district of Iran, mined for more than 1,000 years. Today China is the largest producer, and most US turquoise comes from Arizona and Nevada (GIA).
Turquoise care: clean with warm, soapy water only. Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Keep turquoise away from high heat, acids, cosmetics and perfume, since GIA notes that chemicals, skin oils and perspiration can discolor it.
Tanzanite: The Newest December Birthstone
Tanzanite is commercially mined in only one place on Earth, the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania, according to GIA. Prospectors located that source in 1967, the blue to violet variety of zoisite was named after Tanzania, and the American Gem Trade Association made tanzanite a December birthstone in 2002 (GIA; Wikipedia, Birthstone).
Tanzanite is pleochroic, which means it shows different colors when viewed from different directions. GIA explains that cutters choose between a bluer stone and a more violet one depending on how they orient the rough. Most tanzanite starts out brownish and is heat treated to reach its blue to violet color, and the result is permanent.
Tanzanite meaning is newer than the stone's neighbors on the list, since the gem has no ancient lore. GIA notes it is also the gem for the 24th wedding anniversary, and its velvety blue makes it the most dramatic of the December birthstones.
Tanzanite care: at 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, tanzanite abrades easily and may crack with high heat or sudden temperature changes. GIA recommends it for earrings and pendants rather than daily ring wear. Clean it with warm, soapy water and skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Zircon: The Oldest Mineral on Earth
Zircon found in Australia is the oldest mineral on Earth at 4.4 billion years old, according to GIA. Natural zircon is a separate material from cubic zirconia, the lab made diamond simulant, even though the names sound alike, and GIA calls the confusion between the two unfair to zircon.
Zircon comes in red, orange, yellow, brown, green and blue, according to the GIA zircon gem guide, but blue zircon is the classic December choice. GIA notes that blue zircon was a Victorian favorite, found in English estate jewelry from the 1880s. Colorless zircon has strong brilliance and fire, which caused centuries of confusion with diamond.
Zircon meaning comes from folklore: in the Middle Ages it was thought to bring deep sleep and scare off evil spirits. The name may come from the Arabic zarkun ("vermilion") or the Persian zargun ("gold colored"). Sri Lanka, Australia, Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia are important sources (GIA).
Zircon care: zircon rates 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale and tends to abrade, so take it off for gardening, sports or washing dishes. Clean it with a soft brush, mild soap and warm water. GIA notes that some heat treated zircon can revert toward brown after long exposure to bright light.
Blue Topaz: The Popular December Alternate
Blue topaz is a widely used December alternate, not an official December birthstone. The GIA topaz buying guide explains that the vast majority of blue topaz on the market is colorless topaz treated with irradiation and heat, and the color is permanent.
That treatment made blue topaz a mass market gem. GIA reports that treated blue topaz first sold for $20 to $40 per carat before oversupply pushed wholesale prices down to a few dollars or less per carat. It is inexpensive in smaller sizes, with prices rising for gems above 10 by 8 mm. Blue topaz is also the gem of the fourth wedding anniversary.
Blue topaz care: topaz is an 8 on the Mohs scale but has poor toughness, so a hard knock can chip it. GIA advises warm, soapy water and no steam or ultrasonic cleaning.
How to Wear and Gift a December Birthstone
The easiest way to wear a December birthstone every day is a pendant or earrings, because turquoise, tanzanite and zircon all rate 7.5 or lower on the Mohs scale. Pendants sit away from the knocks that rings take.
For a birthday or holiday gift, start with EVRY birthstone necklaces such as the Faye Birthstone Necklace, the Noa Birthstone Necklace, the Kali Birthstone Necklace or the Celeste Birthstone Necklace. If you want the December color in a layered look, the Blue Crush Necklace pairs turquoise blue beads with gold. Check the necklace length guide before you order.
To match the color rather than the exact gem, browse gemstone earrings or gemstone rings in blue tones. December birthdays often overlap with the holidays, so the EVRY holiday collection and these stocking stuffer ideas make it easy to give one thoughtful piece. Store softer stones like turquoise in a lined jewelry box, away from harder gems.
December Birthstone FAQ
What are the true birthstones for December?
The true December birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite and zircon, the three stones listed by GIA and the American Gem Society. Turquoise has been on the US list since 1912, zircon since 1952 and tanzanite since 2002. Blue topaz appears on some retail charts but is not on those official lists. If you want a traditional choice, pick turquoise; for the newest stone, choose tanzanite.
Why does December have four birthstones?
December officially has three birthstones, but many charts show four because some retailers add blue topaz. National Jeweler reported in 2016 that several retailers use blue topaz for December in place of zircon, while trade lists keep turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. Blue topaz is popular because its treated blue color is uniform and widely available, according to GIA. Any of the four makes a meaningful December gift.
What is the rarest December birthstone?
Tanzanite is the rarest December birthstone because it is commercially mined in only one place on Earth, the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania, according to GIA. GIA also describes tanzanite as rarer than diamond. Rarity also varies with quality, so a fine example of any December stone can be scarce. Blue topaz is the most abundant of the four, since treated blue topaz became a mass market gem.
Is blue topaz a December birthstone?
Blue topaz is a popular December alternate rather than an official December birthstone. GIA lists topaz as a November birthstone and names turquoise, tanzanite and zircon for December. At 8 on the Mohs scale, blue topaz is harder than all three official stones, which makes it a practical blue choice for jewelry, but GIA notes its poor toughness, so protective settings help prevent chips.
What is the December birth flower?
The December birth flowers are the narcissus, especially the paperwhite, and holly, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac. The narcissus is the primary flower and holly is the secondary one. The Almanac calls both festive hallmarks of the holiday season. Paperwhite bulbs can also be forced indoors for winter blooms, as the Almanac explains. Pairing a December birthstone piece with paperwhites or holly makes a simple themed gift for a December birthday.
Ready to celebrate a December birthday? Explore the EVRY gemstone necklaces collection and find a blue that suits them.
