December is the month of celebrations and festivities. As the last month of the year, it encompasses traditions and looking forward to new beginnings. With Christmas and New Year marked in red on calendars, December is filled with finding the perfect present for your friends and family. There are a thousand and one gift ideas, but nothing comes close to jewelry. Giving jewelry to your loved one, especially with a December birthstone, is a personal and thoughtful present.
The month of December is special as it has three gemstones associated with it. Those born under the winter spell of December can find their favorite of the three or work with the energy of each of these delicious blue color stones. Let's take a closer look at the timeless elegance and ease of December stones.
The Significance of December Birthstones
Far from the winter blues, December is a month that is synonymous with the qualities of joy, celebration, and reflection. As the final month in our Western calendar, it embodies a mixture of moods. It is a period of light and dark - one where we go inside ourselves and sit with introspection as we process the year and prepare ourselves for the transformation of a calendar change. This contrasts against the other elements of celebration and connection that usually show up around December as communal festivities can take place. It is also a time of the winter solstice and a transition period as one year closes, and another sits on the periphery.
The birthstones for December are Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon. At first, Lapis Lazuli, with its captivating color, was considered to be a December gemstone choice, but in the 1950s - the Blue Zircon gemstone took its place, and Tanzanite was also added into the fold as it became a popular choice of stone.
December's Diverse Gemstones
Turquoise
As the first December stone to be mined, turquoise is in a league of its own. Derived from the French phrase 'Pierre turquoise,' meaning Turkish stone, this gemstone traveled from Turkey to Europe. The history of the turquoise birthstone dates back to ancient Egypt, where Egyptian rules and courtiers wore turquoise jewelry.
Turquoise is available in various colors, such as different shades of green, green yellow, and shades of blue. Green colored turquoise stones are opaque, with dark veiny designs engraved on them. Additionally, turquoise birthstones feel smooth when touched and can range from translucent to dim in appearance.
Folktales speak highly of turquoise. They also thought the stone would shower the wearer with health, good fortune, and wisdom. In the 13th century BC, turquoise signified protection. Kings, guards, and horse riders carried the stone and attached it to their horses to protect them from falling or hurting. Others believed the stone sensed dangerous situations and shattered itself to notify the wearer of potential threats. Ancient Egyptians believed turquoise symbolized spiritual powers and represented happiness and contentment. In old Europe, soldiers' wives gifted them turquoise stones as a sign of remembrance and good health.
In addition to being a protection charm, some people considered the stone to spread love. Gifting or receiving the rock was a part of the courting process, notifying the recipient of the sender's romantic interest in them. Various authors, including Shakespeare, used it to write proposal scenes.
The December birthstone was also associated with joy, calmness, peace, positivity, and security. Like other birthstones that signify marital milestones, turquoise is a popular gift to celebrate eleven years of marriage.
Tanzanite
Turquoise was the first December stone to be mined, but tanzanite is the latest gemstone to join the month. The origin of tanzanite lies in its name; it was discovered on Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, East Africa. Tanzanite is one of a kind. Since it is the latest stone to claim its throne as one of December's birthstones, tanzanite is a rarity, making it even more special. Its forms under harsh and unpredictable conditions, which only occur on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tanzanite's popularity increased after its discovery, instantly increasing its demand and making it a consumer's favorite stone. Tanzanite's color played a significant role in boosting its popularity. Its color pattern ranges from light purple with blue shades to a dark velvet color with tinges of prominent purple shades. This Dec birthstone color makes it the ideal stone for jewelry designs, especially engagement rings and wedding bands.
According to tanzanite lore, during an eventful night, lightning struck Mount Kilimanjaro, setting it on fire. However, the magic comprised magical elements that turned plain crystals into purple blue rocks. Some people believed tanzanite's supernatural origin would grant them a long, safe, and fulfilling life. Centuries ago, tanzanite was associated with spirituality and mood swings. If those tales are to be believed, then wearing tanzanite at different angles would change the light's direction when contacting the rock. Each angle symbolized a different mood. For instance, red hues signified anger, whereas light lilac hues represented peace and calm.
The Tanzanite birthstone is also a throat chakra and a third eye chakra gem, and it ensures that your word and your wisdom are always aligned. Wearing bluish-purple Tanzanite jewelry can also be a symbol of insight and spiritual growth.
Zircon
Derived from the Arabic word 'zarquin,' meaning red, and the Persian word 'zargus,' meaning golden, the zircon birthstone is the oldest December gem. The zircon mineral comes from zirconium and silicon and consists of tiny crystals. A relatively strong rock, zircon can withstand extreme weather conditions.
Zircon's unique composition and color stand out from the other birthstones. This December birthstone color ranges from red and orange to yellow and brown. Since zircon consists of zirconium and silicon, its molecular composition is different and receptive to uranium radiations that change its internal texture. You can also find green zircon loose stones, even though they are the rarest of the bunch. Green zircon dates back to ancient Hindu customs, where it was associated with sacred trees used as offerings to deities. In the 1800s, Hindu writers claimed zircon was a glowing stone similar to diamonds.
Blue Zircon may be a modern addition to December birthstones, but it is one of the oldest minerals on Earth. Zircon can be misunderstood as stone as it is often mixed up with cubic zirconia or used as a diamond simulant. But this gem is so special in its own right, and while you can get colorless zircons, it also comes in a range of shades, with Blue Zircon being the blessed choice for December. Geologists love this stone as it contains fragments and secrets dating back over 4 billion years, and when studied, it can tell the tale of ancient rock formations and what happens in the earth's crust. Aside from its rich history, this natural gemstone is known to promote sweet, restful sleep and prosperity.
Choosing Your December Gemstone
With four beautiful December gemstones to choose from, you can take your pick of these precious stones. One of the most important factors that come with choosing gems (even within your birth month) is to let intuition lead and to see which stone has personal significance or connects with you. Each gemstone brings its own historical significance but also its own healing properties and meaning. When selecting your stone, you can also ponder factors like price range (for example, a natural turquoise birthstone or Blue Zircon may be more affordable than a Tanzanite birthstone or the brilliance of Topaz). Color preference can also play a role - Tanzanite has a deep blue-purple vibe, whereas the color variations for Blue Zircon and Blue Topaz can be brighter and lighter.
Incorporating December Birthstones into Your Life
Welcoming December birthstones into your life means that you carry the energy of joy, peace, connection, and communication with you. One of the best ways to embrace this energy is to choose December birthstones in your choice for jewelry. Wearing these blue-colored stones close to the skin allows them to work with your own vibrations and means you can carry their calming energies with you.
You can also use December birthstones outside of a spiritual fashion sense. You can welcome them into your home or use their metaphysical properties in your spiritual practice. You can place December birthstones on altars and use them in meditation, or you can place crystal ornaments and accessories in your space.
Caring for December Birthstones
- Always clean your gemstones with gentle solutions (like soapy, warm water) and use a soft brush to clean any dirt and a soft cloth to buff them to brilliance.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals on your gemstones, and stick to gentle, soapy waters instead. Harsh or common chemicals can dull your gemstone's color or even damage the surface of the stone.
- Some stones like Turquoise, should be taken off while swimming or showering as they are used to dry and arid environments, and exposure to water can cause their color blue to change.
- Store your December birthstone jewelry carefully and preferably in a separate place from your other jewelry to avoid any scratching, tangling, or surface damage.
- Keep your December birthstones away from direct sunlight, as this can cause their color ranges to fade.
- Regular cleaning is important - not just on a physical level but also on a spiritual level. You can spiritually cleanse your gemstones by smudging or using clear quartz or selenite.
Conclusion
Turquoise, Blue Zircon, and Tanzanite are the three beautiful blue variety stones that capture the essence of the last month of the year. Wearing these gemstones is a gorgeous way of keeping negative energy at bay and ensuring that your mouth is laced with luck, pleasure, protection, and that much-needed balance of connection and introspection. Explore more about the meaning of each of these December gemstones and find the one that calls to you.
FAQs
What is the real birthstone of December?
Blue Zircon is the modern birthstone of December, but Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Blue Topaz are also considered to be December birthstones too. Once, Lapis Lazuli was considered to be the stone of December, but this changed to make way for Blue Zircon due to popular demand.
Why does December have 3 birthstones?
December actually has four birthstones associated with it - Turquoise, Tanzanite, Blue Topaz, and Blue Zircon. The reason for having multiple gemstones is unknown, but the consensus is that it was to produce different budget preferences for those buying birthstones.
What are December two birthstones?
The December birthstones are Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Turquoise. Blue Zircon joined the fold later and replaced Lapis Lazuli as a December birthstone. This means those born during December have four beautiful blue crystals to choose from.
What gem or Colour is December?
December has four birthstones associated with it - these are Blue Zircon, Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Turquoise. All of these stones come in different color varieties of blue, which means that blue is the color associated with December.
