December Birthstones: Zircon, Turquoise, and Tanzanite

Zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite may be part of the same cerulean color family, but you will certainly not be feeling blue with any of these December birthstones… especially when they’re set in platinum! All three exude an undeniable joy and serenity that make them some of the most adored treasures throughout the world. The soft and inviting turquoise benefits from platinum’s secure protection, while platinum’s cool luster beautifully compliments the crystalline brilliance of both tanzanite and zircon.

Zircons actually manifest in a variety of colors, but blue is by far the most popular. Some prefer a more icy tone, like that of the sky on a clear day, while others like their zircons with a touch of aqua in them—more sea than sky. Whichever way you lean, blue zircons are believed to carry the depth of both the natural wonders they invoke. Thought to help with sleep, they are said to sharpen the intuition and bestow wearers with wisdom, honor, generosity, and confidence.

Turquoise also shares zircon’s characteristics of profound discernment, though with an additional layer of regality. One of the oldest gemstones ever to be celebrated, the ancients (Egyptians, Persians, Chinese, Native Americans… you name it) prized turquoise as totems of nobility, power, and immortality. Rather poetically, turquoise was thought to be a medium so potent that whoever beheld the gem was at once connected to every living entity in the entire universe.

In the Victorian era—marshaled by Queen Victoria herself—turquoise was particularly favored as gifts for they were believed to secure kind regard. They also served as amulets of protection, peace, honesty and health (turquoise is a porous stone with a loose molecular structure, meaning it absorbs oils from frequent handling which often results in pigmentation change. Should a turquoise turn dark, Victorians concluded that it was consuming negative energy that threatened to harm its wearer). Wearing a bit of turquoise meant that you were very dear to someone!

Tanzanites, relative newcomers to gemology, do not have as much lore as the other December birthstones. Discovered in 1967 and brought to the public eye by Tiffany & Co., Tanzanites’ exceeding rarity hinges on being mined only in their namesake country—Tanzania. Perhaps inspired by their intense violet-blue saturation, tanzanites are regarded by the Maasai people as gifts from the gods. They encourage strong spiritual communication between the Earth and heavens; deep meditation is fostered, rooted in compassion and mental illumination.

Present your cherished December baby with tanzanite, zircon, or turquoise platinum jewelry (or all three!), because a quality moment of thoughtfulness will adorn every day with meaning and guarantee a lifetime of beautiful memories.

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