December Birthstone: Zircon, Tanzanite & Turquoise

December birthdays have claim to three gemstones; Zircon, Tanzanite and Turquoise. Each of these gemstones carries a unique blue tone making it a perfect birthstone for festive December winters.

 

Zircon
Unbelievably, Zircon is the oldest known material on Earth. The oldest fragment of Zircon, found in Australia, formed when our planet was only 160 million years old. Zircon is also found in Burma, Brazil, Cambodia, Korea, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam. Zircon was only selected as a December birthstone in 1952 by the Jewellery Industry Council of America. Zircon is also the 4th wedding anniversary stone.

Zircon Myths
Folklore surrounding Zircon developed in the middle ages when the gem began appearing in various religious writings. The stone was believed to protect its owner from harm, death, and poison. The gem is also thought to spiritually ground those in need, and physically treat low self-confidence and poor balance.

The Right Stone for You
Zircon has a good hardness but can often be too brittle for open settings. It is recommended that the stone is worn in a protective setting or only as special occasion jewellery. As the gem is very dense, it is usually small in most jewellery designs. Large stones will be heavy and should be worn on sturdy brooches or thick chains.

Usually you’ll see blue Zircon worn in earrings and rings as December birthstone jewellery. Colourless Zircon is often worn on bridal jewellery as a high-quality diamond substitute. Zircon comes in many colours making it extremely versatile in style.

Taking Care of your Zircon
Zircon is fairly-easy to care for. The stone is durable but can still be damaged. It should be stored away from your other jewellery and removed when cleaning, gardening, or while completing tasks that could cause knocks or contact with chemicals. Zircon is also sensitive to ultraviolet and sunlight, it should not be worn outside for long periods of time.

To clean the stone, gently soak in warm water and wash with mild soap. Pat to dry. Follow up by cleaning the metal mount accordingly. Although you might only wear your Zircon jewellery in December, you should clean your fine birthstone jewellery frequently as recommended by your jeweller.

 


Tanzanite 
Tanzanite is not only December’s newest birthstone but was also only recently discovered. The stone is said to have formed with the first eruption of Mount Kilimanjaro. More than 500 million years later, the first sample of tanzanite was found.

Despite being found in the late 1960’s, Tanzanite did not become one of December’s birthstones until 2002. The American Gem Trade Association named it the third birthstone alongside Zircon and Turquoise. It is also the 24th wedding anniversary stone.

Tanzanite Myths
Tanzanite can only be found in Tanzania. Because we have only known of the stone’s existence for about 50 years, folklore and legends have not developed. Healers believe the stone carries both physical and mental soothing and calming properties. It is used to resolve issues of communication and interpersonal qualities.

The Right Stone for You
The newest December birthstone is available in limited quantities and is growing in popularity. For these reasons, it is considered a rare jewel. Because it only forms on a small stretch of land in Tanzania, the stone’s price and availability are entirely dependent on what happens there.

It is important to know how to safely set tanzanite. It is recommended that you wear the stone in necklaces or earrings as opposed to rings, for less exposure to wear and tear. However, if you choose to purchase a ring, simply ensure that your stone is in a protective setting.

Taking Care of your Tanzanite
This December birthstone is generally safe for everyday wear but should be removed for strenuous activity or when you are using chemicals of any kind. Tanzanite has good colour stability and will not change under normal light exposure or in normal temperatures.

Like with most stones, regularly cleaning is necessary to keeping your tanzanite looking its best. Gently wash with warm water and mild soap.

 


Turquoise
Turquoise is the second oldest December birthstone and the 11th wedding anniversary stone. Despite dating back to 3000 BC, the stone is actually one of the first gems to ever be discovered. Turquoise was considered a holy stone by ancient cultures and often adorned royal figures and leaders. Most notably, King Tut’s burial mask was jewelled in Turquoise.

Turquoise Myths
In most cultures, Turquoise was believed to hold protective powers. The stone was often placed on weapons, crowns, jewellery, and buildings. In Native American culture, it was also carved into shapes, which were used as family heirlooms and in rituals.

In addition to protection, the stone was also said to cultivate happiness, health, and harmony. For that reason, Turquoise was often gifted to those getting married or celebrating a birthday. The gem was considered anti-inflammatory and detoxifying. Turquoise was used to fight viral infections and ward off depression and anxiety in ancient cultures.

The Right Stone for You 
Just like its sister December birthstone, Turquoise is also priced by size not carat weight. Additionally, colour plays a major role in pricing this gemstone. You should always investigate the different variants of turquoise to determine which one you like best.

The Turquoise Quality Index is used by many to determine the stone’s quality. This is a scale between 8 and 100 that considers eight factors within two categories. Each factor is weighted according to importance. The higher the total score, the more valuable the stone.

Category one, structure, is composed of hardness, enhancement, composition, and cut. Together, this category is worth up to 55 points. The second category, rarity, rates a stone’s availability, colour, matrix, and contiguous size. This category is worth up to 45 points.

Taking Care of your Turquoise
Although Turquoise is more delicate than other gemstones, it is cleaned similarly to most jewels. This December birthstone is quickly cleaned by soaking in warm water and gently washing with mild soap.

Use caution when washing and wearing, as many turquoise stones are treated with dyes and plastics, which will deteriorate if exposed to steam, heat, or other chemical solvents. You should never clean Turquoise with an ultrasonic cleaner.
When wearing your new December birthstone, keep in mind that it is fragile. You should avoid exposing Turquoise to chemicals, cosmetics, heat and even natural skin oils. These will likely change the colour of the stone.



No matter which December birthstone you choose, these beautiful pieces will hold memories to last a lifetime. Be aware of what you are purchasing, why not visit us in-store to look at our collections and jewellery? If there’s not something that takes your fancy, we can source stones and make your vision a reality with our bespoke service.