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.
In This Article...
What birthstone for December is most popular?
Zircon is a gorgeous December gemstone that can be used as a substitute to tanzanite. Zircon comes in a variety of hues, but the blue version is frequently used as a supplemental birthstone for December.
Zircon: Symbolism and Meaning
The meanings of the zircon birthstone are knowledge, fortune, and assurance. Zircon represents these qualities and is said to promote restful sleep and ward off evil spirits.
This December birthstone was a treasured gem during the Victorian era and was frequently used to ornament necklaces and other decorative items. Early in the 20th century, heat treatment emerged as a common technique for enhancing the blue hue of zircon for jewelry.
Zircon: Color
Blue is the birthstone for zircon. The gemstones can have green undertones and range in color from pale to vivid blue. Zircon does occur in several hues, but blue is the most typical color for a birthstone for December.
Zircon: Origins
abundant in the crust of the Earth and older than 4 billion years The nesosilicate mineral zircon is abundantly accessible. Cambodia, Tanzania, Thailand, Sri Lanka, the United States, and Canada are among the countries with zircon deposits. Despite the fact that Australia has the greatest deposit (which accounts for 37% of the global supply). It has a Mohs hardness rating of 7.5, making it durable enough for everyday jewelry.
Zircon Birthstone Jewelry
Zircon is less widespread than certain other gems. It can, however, be contrasted to diamonds in many other ways because it is a naturally sparkling gemstone. The most sought-after and most difficult to find color of zircon is green.
Zircon’s dispersion and light performance make the cut of the stone important to take into account when buying. Its appearance and beauty can be maximized and enhanced with the right cut into a dazzling shape, making it look practically identical to diamonds.
Higher levels of clarity are also frequent in zircon, and the few little flaws that are present are typically only noticeable under magnification. Zircon that has undergone heat treatment to increase its overall transparency is also available.
Numerous gorgeous jewelry items, such as rings, necklaces, bracelets, stud earrings, and pendants, can be made using zircon’s brilliant color.
Taking Care of Zircon Birthstone Jewelry
Every few months, wash your zircon jewelry in warm, soapy water. Before storing, dry it with a soft cloth and make sure it is completely dry. Zircon can be damaged by ultrasonic cleaners, so stay away from them. The birthstone for December is far less resilient than diamonds.
To prevent scratches, place your zircon jewelry in a soft fabric bag or container. Avoid wearing zircon or leaving it in the sun for extended periods of time because it is sensitive to UV and sunlight. Remove your zircon jewelry before undertaking any manual labor, such as gardening and housecleaning, to prevent damage.
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.
Why are there several birthstones for December?
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. When December was given a third birthstone option in October 2002, it was the last attempt to standardize the birthstone system.
What color birthstone represents December?
Turquoise. Since antiquity, turquoise has been prized for its distinctive color, which ranges from powdered blue to a robin’s egg green hue.
How many birthstones are there in December?
What gemstone symbolizes December? December babies have the good fortune to have four recognized birthstones: tanzanite, turquoise, zircon, and blue topaz. All of these gems make lovely choices for fine jewelry, giving December infants a wide range of alternatives in terms of styles and pricing points.
Is sapphire a birthstone for December?
What stones represent each month’s birth? Garnet, amethyst, aquamarine, diamond, emerald, alexandrite, ruby, peridot, sapphire, tourmaline, topaz, and blue topaz are the gemstones associated with the months of January through December. Find out more about these well-known gemstones.
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 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.
What shade of zircon is the December birthstone?
Due to their identical names and mutual use as diamond substitutes, manufactured cubic zirconia and the underappreciated gemstone zircon are frequently mistaken. Zircon is a magnificent natural gemstone that comes in a range of colors, yet few people are aware of this.
The Persian word zargun, which means “gold-colored,” is probably where the name “zircon” originates. Others link it to the Arabic word zarkun, which means “vermillion. Given that it has a diverse color palette that includes red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and brown, both origins are conceivable.
Zircon typically appears as brownish red, which is attractive due to its earthy tones. However, the majority of gemstones are heated until they are colorless, golden, or blue (the most popular color). The alternate birthstone for December is blue zircon in particular.
Zircon has impurities that can vary in color and some of them, like uranium, may have a small amount of radioactivity. To stabilize the radioactivity, these jewels are additionally heated.
Radiation is an essential component of radiometric dating despite the fact that it can damage zircon’s crystal structure. The oldest mineral on Earth, zircon, holds significant information about how our planet was created.
Zircon, also known as Matura Diamond, is colorless but exhibits brilliance and flashes of many colors “a fire as brilliant as a diamond. But there is one significant distinction: Zircon is more fragile. Despite being 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, its faceted edges can chip.
Australian zircon has a 4.4 billion year age. 37 percent of the world’s zircon supply is still produced in Australia, which continues to lead the industry. Thailand, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Cambodia, Canada, and the United States are further sources.
What gemstone symbolizes December: sapphire, ruby, diamond, or turquoise?
The number one birthstone for December is tanzanite. You won’t believe this, but this diamond was only discovered in the 20th century! As a result, we can currently trace its history year by year. Due to its distinctive velvet blue color with a purple overtone, tanzanite is easily identifiable.
