Blue to green in color, turquoise is a semi-translucent to opaque gem that frequently has matrix veins (remains of the rock it formed in) running through it. For millennia, people have treasured the birthstone for December. It was used to embellish the pharaohs and other ancient Egyptian kings. It was sculpted by Chinese artists more than 3,000 years ago.
The birthstone of turquoise was believed to have numerous positive properties, such as ensuring health and fortune. It was thought, starting in the 13th century, that it would shatter into numerous pieces as tragedy approached and would shield the wearer from falling (particularly off horses). According to Hindu mystics, seeing a turquoise after viewing the new moon guaranteed incredible fortune.
Native Americans also placed a high value on this birthstone of turquoise. The Apache believed that by traveling to the end of a rainbow, one may find turquoise. Additionally, they thought that securing the birthstone for December to a bow or gun improved one’s marksmanship. The Hopi believed that lizards crawling across the earth generated the jewel, whereas the Pueblo insisted that turquoise’s color came from the sky.
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When did the birthstone for December change?
Over the past century, it has only seen a few minor changes. JA claims that the list was amended in 1952 to include the birthstones alexandrite for June, citrine for November, tourmaline for October, and zircon for December, and again in 2002 when tanzanite was added as a birthstone for December.
Which three stones are December’s birthstones?
Because of their alluring bluish colour, many individuals adore birthstones for the month of December. Turquoise, blue zircon, and tanzanite are the three gemstones for December, and they all feature lovely blue sparkles instead of the conventional Christmas colors of red and green.
Are there two birthstones for December?
Zircon, Tanzanite, and turquoise are the three gemstones that are associated with December birthdays. These gemstones all have distinctive blue tones, making them ideal December birthstones for Minnesota’s chilly winters. Zircon comes in a range of hues, but blue is by far the most popular.
Is blue topaz the birthstone for December?
The most common color of topaz and the birthstone for December, blue topaz represents sincerity, intense emotional attachment, and emotional clarity. The fourth anniversary present idea is blue topaz, the birthstone for December. Because blue topaz is such a lovely stone, it makes everyone on your list feel radiant, even if you are stuck for a present idea to offer a friend or loved one or simply run out of ideas. We have a wide selection of blue topaz jewelry at Joseph’s Jewelry to suit every taste and price range.
What hue does December represent?
Topaz, the birthstone for December. Blue is the birthstone for December. The traditional birthstone for December is the blue zircon, but there are a number of gemstones that are also said to be symbolic of the month, such as turquoise, blue topaz, and tanzanite.
Are there two birthstones for each month?
Although each month has a single birthstone traditionally, certain months have numerous birthstones. This fact does cause some confusion, but the variety of possibilities for some months was developed to give customers a choice of less expensive selections in addition to the more typical, pricey stones.
What birthstone has the rarest stone?
While some birthstones are more accessible than others, precious gemstones in particular are thought to be relatively scarce. However, given that some really expensive stones are not all that rare and vice versa, price tags can be deceiving when it comes to rarity. For instance, although expensive, April’s diamond is less rare than rubies, emeralds, and alexandrite. Speaking of alexandrite, it is now the most expensive and rarest gemstone on the list of birthstones. Additionally extremely rare, black opals are.
Birthstones provide an intriguing way to select jewelry. They enable people to investigate jewels that they might otherwise avoid. However, birthstones are not always what people think they are, so make sure you are buying birthstone jewelry for the right reasons while making your selection.
Is tanzanite a birthstone for December?
The rare blue-purple form of the mineral zoisite called tanzanite is only found in one region of the world. Tanzanite, so named because of its narrow geographic origin in Tanzania, has rapidly gained prominence since it was only recently discovered.
Before this unusual blue variant of zoisite was discovered in 1967, the mineral had been existing for more than a century and a half. The blue-purple tint, which varies from light blue to vivid ultramarine with violet overtones, is caused by trace levels of vanadium combined with tremendous heat.
Tanzanite exhibits pleochroism, which allows it to change color according on the angle at which it is seen. To draw attention away from the unwanted brown tones and emphasize the more desirable blue and violet colours, stones must be cut properly.
The majority of tanzanite on the market today has undergone heat treatment to lessen its naturally occurring brown hues and to increase its sapphire-competing blue hues.
Only a small area of Tanzania, close to the magnificent Mount Kilimanjaro, contains tanzanite. Its cost and availability are intimately correlated with the region’s mines, the majority of which are currently sharply reducing production.
Tanzanite is not quite as hard as the sapphire it frequently replaces, measuring only 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness. Tanzanite is better suited for earrings and pendants rather than rings because of its susceptibility to scratching and abrasion with regular wear.
Even if your birthday is not in December, tanzanite is prized by many due to its deep blue hue and scarcity.