The December birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, and many jewelers add blue topaz.
December birthstones are unusual because there are several, and almost all of them lean blue. GIA lists turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, while blue topaz is a popular choice on many jeweler lists. Turquoise is soft and needs gentle care, tanzanite looks best in earrings and pendants, and blue topaz is the hardest of the group. Choose the December birthstone that matches how the wearer lives, and any of them makes a meaningful gift.
Most months hand you one birthstone and a short story. The December birthstones are a whole palette of blues, from the sky blue of turquoise to the violet glow of tanzanite and the clear, cool shine of blue topaz.
This guide walks through each of the December birthstones, where it comes from, how tough it is, and how to keep it looking beautiful. By the end, you will know which stone suits your style, and you can look through our sterling silver pieces with a clear idea of what to choose.
What are the December birthstones?
GIA lists three December birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. The American Gem Society names the same three. Many jewelers also use blue topaz for December, which is why it so often appears beside the others in December birthstone jewelry.
That gives you four December birthstones to choose from. They are very different gems that share one thing, a love of blue. Here is how the December birthstones compare at a glance, using the Mohs scale, where a higher number means better resistance to scratching.
| Stone | Typical color | Mohs hardness |
|---|---|---|
| Turquoise | Sky blue to green, often with veining | 5 to 6 |
| Tanzanite | Blue to violet | 6 to 7 |
| Zircon | Blue, plus many other colors | 6 to 7.5 |
| Blue topaz | Blue | 8 |
Where does zircon fit?
Zircon is a natural gemstone with real brilliance, and it is often confused with cubic zirconia because the names sound alike. They are not the same thing. Blue zircon was a favorite in Victorian England, and it shows up in English estate jewelry from the 1880s.
Because zircon is the stone people most often mix up with a lookalike, the rest of this guide focuses on the three blue December birthstones in the title, with a few notes on zircon along the way.
Why does December have so many birthstones?
The list of December birthstones has changed over time, and it has been updated more than once. The first official list came in 1912 from the American National Retail Jeweler's Association, now known as Jewelers of America. In 1952 the group added zircon for December, and in 2002 it added tanzanite.
Blue topaz is not on every official list, but many jewelers count it among the December birthstones in place of zircon. It is bright, easy to wear, and comes in a clear blue that people love. In our experience, having several December birthstones to choose from is a gift in itself, because everyone finds a color and a price that feels right.
Four December birthstones, one color family, and a good reason to choose the one that fits how you actually live.
What should you know about turquoise among the December birthstones?
Turquoise is a soft, opaque stone with ancient roots, and it is the most traditional of the December birthstones. It ranks 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale and ranges from blue to green, often with veins of the host rock running through it, called matrix.
The Nishapur district of Iran has been mined for more than 1,000 years, and its even, intense blue is the one people call Persian blue or robin's egg blue. Ancient Egyptian rulers wore turquoise, and it decorates the funerary mask of King Tut. Chinese artisans were carving it more than 3,000 years ago.
Turquoise also carries sweet old lore. In European tradition, a turquoise ring stands for forget me not, and Jewelers of America lists the stone for the 11th wedding anniversary. That sentiment makes turquoise one of the most personal December birthstones to give.
How to care for turquoise
Like all December birthstones, turquoise wants gentle handling. It is stable in light, but it does not like heat, acids, or everyday products. GIA notes that chemicals, cosmetics, skin oils, and perspiration can discolor it. Clean it with warm, soapy water only, and never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners.
A simple habit helps: put on perfume and lotion first, then your jewelry. If you want a place to start, our turquoise earrings and rings include many in sterling silver settings, and listings call out whether a stone is natural or created.
What makes tanzanite so special?
Tanzanite is special because it comes from a single place on Earth, and it joined the Jewelers of America December list in 2002, quickly becoming one of the best known December birthstones. It is the blue to violet variety of the mineral zoisite, and the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania are its only commercial source. The stone is named for its country of origin, and its color is often described as velvety.
1967
The year prospectors found the Merelani Hills in northern Tanzania, still the only commercial source of tanzanite.
Most tanzanite begins as brownish zoisite. It is heat treated to bring out the blue and violet, and GIA says the resulting color is permanent. Pure, rich blue is considered the most valuable, which is why vivid stones are so sought after.
How to wear tanzanite
Tanzanite ranks 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale and can crack from very high heat or sudden temperature changes. GIA says it is best suited to earrings and pendants and is not recommended for daily ring wear. Clean it with warm, soapy water, and skip ultrasonic and steam cleaners.
Jewelers of America lists tanzanite for the 24th wedding anniversary, which makes it a lovely milestone gift. If you want the same cool, deep mood in a stone built for more everyday wear, blue topaz is the closest match among the December birthstones.
Is blue topaz a December birthstone?
Yes, on many modern jeweler lists. Blue topaz is not on GIA's official list, which names turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, but it is a popular choice among the December birthstones and a beloved one for everyday wear. Topaz itself is a November birthstone, so blue topaz gives the December birthstones a bright, cool alternative.
Here is the honest part about its color. GIA explains that natural blue topaz is rare, and the blue is almost always caused by treatment. Colorless topaz is plentiful and is often treated to turn it blue, so look for clear labeling on any piece you buy.
Hard, but not unbreakable
Topaz rates 8 on the Mohs scale, the highest of the December birthstones. Its toughness is another story, because it has a direction in which it can split. A hard blow might break it, and sudden temperature changes can too. Jewelers often set topaz in protective mountings or use it in pendants, which suits it well.
Clean topaz with warm, soapy water and avoid steam and ultrasonic cleaners. Jewelers of America lists blue topaz for the fourth wedding anniversary. Our blue topaz pendant necklaces are set in 925 sterling silver and hang from adjustable chains, and the same collection includes earrings and rings in blue topaz tones.
Which December birthstone is right for you?
The right pick among the December birthstones depends on how you wear jewelry. None of them is a wrong answer. If you are hard on your pieces, lean toward blue topaz in a pendant. If you love history and character, turquoise is the pick, and if you want something rare, tanzanite is the one to admire.
| If you want | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A classic with deep history | Turquoise | Worn for thousands of years, with a color all its own |
| A violet blue touch | Tanzanite | Found in one place, best in earrings and pendants |
| The toughest of the group | Blue topaz | Hardest at 8 on the Mohs scale, bright and clear |
| A brilliant, lesser known gem | Zircon | Known for sparkle and available in many colors |
Choosing a gift for a December birthday
Think about her habits first. Does she wear earrings every day, or does she love a necklace she can leave on? A stud or a small pendant in any of the December birthstones works for almost everyone, and a stone tied to a milestone, like the 11th anniversary for turquoise, adds extra meaning. For more ideas, see our fine jewelry gifting guide.
How do you care for the December birthstones?
The good news is that all of the December birthstones share the same basic care rules. Gentle cleaning and smart habits will keep December birthstone jewelry looking fresh for years. Follow these steps for any of the four stones.
- Put it on last. Apply perfume, lotion, and hairspray first, since chemicals and cosmetics can dull turquoise and other soft stones.
- Clean with warm, soapy water. A soft brush and mild soap are enough for turquoise, tanzanite, zircon, and topaz.
- Skip steam and ultrasonic cleaners. GIA advises against both for all four of the December birthstones.
- Avoid sudden temperature swings. Tanzanite and topaz can crack when heat changes quickly, so keep them away from hot water straight from the tap.
- Take it off for rough tasks. Zircon abrades easily, so remove it for gardening, sports, and dishes, and the same habit protects the other stones.
Sterling silver settings can darken over time, and a soft polishing cloth usually brings the shine back. For full step by step advice, read our guide to cleaning fine jewelry at home.
December birthstones give you a blue stone for every personality
Turquoise brings history, tanzanite brings rarity, zircon brings sparkle, and blue topaz brings everyday polish. Each of the December birthstones asks for a little gentle care, and each rewards you with a color that feels like winter light. Choose from the December birthstones the one that fits the wearer, and you have a gift that means something.
Frequently Asked Questions
The December birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon, according to GIA, and many jewelers also use blue topaz. You can choose whichever stone fits your style, since all of them are accepted for December.
Blue topaz is the hardest of the group at 8 on the Mohs scale, so it is a strong everyday choice, especially in a pendant or earrings. Turquoise and tanzanite are softer and do better in pieces that avoid hard knocks. Whatever you pick, a little care goes a long way.
Use warm, soapy water and a soft cloth, and dry the piece gently. Never use steam or ultrasonic cleaners, and keep turquoise away from chemicals, cosmetics, and perfume. Put your jewelry on last when you get ready.
Yes, blue topaz is a real gemstone. Natural blue color is rare, and most blue topaz gets its color through treatment, according to GIA. Look for clear labeling so you know what you are buying.
Tanzanite is best suited to earrings and pendants, which see less wear than rings. GIA does not recommend it for daily ring wear because it can scratch and crack. Save a tanzanite ring for special occasions.
A pendant necklace or a pair of earrings in one of the December birthstones is a safe and thoughtful choice. Turquoise and blue topaz are easy to find in sterling silver. You can also match the stone to an anniversary, such as the 4th for blue topaz or the 11th for turquoise.
Yes. Many of our turquoise and blue topaz pieces are set in 925 sterling silver, including earrings and pendant necklaces. Check each listing for the metal and for whether the stone is natural or created.
Browse turquoise earrings, rings, and more, many of them set in sterling silver.
Shop the CollectionSources
| GIA | December Birthstones |
| American Gem Society | December Birthstone |
| GIA | Topaz Care and Cleaning Guide |
| GIA | Topaz Description |
| National Jeweler | 4605 Rocks on How the Modern Birthstone List Came to Be |
| Jewelers of America | Anniversary Jewelry Guide |
