Which December birthstone would you choose, if you could only have one for December—tanzanite, turquoise, or zircon? There is a color for everyone, ranging from the intense blue and green of turquoise to the blue to bluish purple of tanzanite, and from the rainbow varieties of zircon. If blue is your color, each of the three birthstones for December offers a distinctive interpretation of this beloved shade. We can assist you in selecting the ideal December birthstone for yourself or a loved one, regardless of your preferences for color, style, or price range.
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Turquoise December Birthstone
Turquoise is a semi-translucent to opaque gem that ranges from blue to green and often has veins of matrix (remnants of the rock in which it formed) running through it. This December birthstone was cherished for millennia. The pharaohs and other rulers of ancient Egypt adorned themselves with it. Chinese artisans carved it more than 3,000 years ago.
The turquoise birthstone is thought to possess many beneficial powers, like guaranteeing health and good fortune. From the 13th century on, it was believed to protect the wearer from falling (especially of horses) and would break into several pieces at the approach of disaster. Hindu mystics maintained that seeing a turquoise after beholding the new moon ensured fantastic wealth.
This turquoise birthstone also played an important role in the lives of Native Americans. The Apache thought turquoise could be found by following a rainbow to its end.
They also believed that attaching the December birthstone to a bow or firearm made one’s aim more accurate. The Pueblo maintained that turquoise got its color from the sky. while the Hopi thought the gem was produced by lizards scurrying over the earth.
This December birthstone adorns the funerary mask of King Tut, who ruled Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. It also appears in jewelry belonging to more modern royalty: Wallis Simpson (1896–1986), Duchess of Windsor (the woman for whom King Edward VIII gave up his throne), wore a famous amethyst and turquoise necklace made by Cartier. Turquoise is also the gem of the 11th wedding anniversary.
In European tradition, the gift of a turquoise ring means “forget me not.” Turquoise is considered a national treasure in Tibet, where it is believed to grant health, good fortune, and protection from evil. December’s birthstone also imparts peace to those who wear it.
Turquoise Birthstone Care & Cleaning
Some turquoise treatments to improve its durability, appearance, and polish. Turquoise can be dyed or chemically enhanced by adding an epoxy or acrylic resin for greater hardness or better color. Also seen are cavities filled with a metal-loaded epoxy to imitate pyrite inclusions.
Turquoise is generally stable to light, but high heat can cause discoloration and breakage. Your turquoise birthstone can be damaged by acids, and it can be discolored by certain chemicals, cosmetics, and even skin oils or perspiration. It’s safe to clean turquoise jewelry with warm, soapy water, but this December birthstone should never be cleaned with steam or ultrasonic cleaners. Heat or solvents can damage the treated surfaces on some turquoise.
Tanzanite December Birthstone
Tanzanite may be a relative newcomer to the world of colored stones, but it was one of the most exciting gem discoveries of the 20th century. Blue stones emerging from Tanzania are identified as the mineral zoisite in 1962. Not until 1967, though, did prospectors locate the primary source for this December birthstone: the Merelani Hills. It was eventually named tanzanite in honor of its country of origin. The tanzanite birthstone is often described as “velvety,” mostly because of its deep and saturated color, which ranges from a pure rich blue to violet, with the blue considered the most valuable.
Tiffany & Co. believed that Tanzanite had international appeal and became its main distributor. In 1968, Tiffany launched a major advertising campaign to promote it. With its vivid colors, high clarity, and potential for large cut stones, tanzanite quickly became a sensation. Today, it is not only a December birthstone, but it is also a gem for the 24th wedding anniversary.
The Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania is the only place on earth where tanzanite is mined commercially. Grass-covered hillsides, scrub brush, rocky soil, and an occasional tree from the local landscape. In the major mechanized operations there, thousands of workers recover tanzanite from mines dug over 100 meters (more than 300 feet) deep into the earth. North of the mines tower the snow-covered slopes of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Tanzanite Birthstone Care & Cleaning
This December birthstone (6 to 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness) is resistant to the effects of normal heat, light, and common chemicals. Still, the December birthstone may crack if exposed to very high temperatures or sudden temperature changes, and it abrades easily. It can be attacked by hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids.
Most tanzanite begins as brownish zoisite that is heat treated to produce the blue to violet hues that characterize this December birthstone. The resulting color is permanent, and there are no additional durability concerns.
Your tanzanite birthstone is best set in earrings or pendants. While not recommended for daily wear in a ring, with a protective mounting and some care this December birthstone can be an attractive special-occasion jewel.
Warm, soapy water is the best way to clean this December birthstone. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are never recommended for tanzanite.
Zircon December Birthstone
The origins of the word “zircon” have elicited colorful debate. Some scholars believe it comes from the Arabic word zarkun, meaning “cinnabar” or “vermilion.” Others think the source is the Persian word zargun, or “gold-colored.” Considering the broad color palette for this December birthstone – red, orange, yellow, brown, green, and blue – either derivation seems possible. Colorless zircon is known for its brilliance and flashes of multicolored light, called fire, which have resulted in centuries of confusion with diamonds.
During the Middle Ages, this December birthstone was thought to lull one into a deep sleep and scare off evil spirits. In the Hindu religion, zircon alternates with hessonite garnet as one of the nine gems of the navaratna. When worn together, the nine gems protect the wearer and bring wealth, wisdom, and good health.
Victorians had a fondness for blue zircon. Fine specimens can be found in English estate jewelry from the 1880s.
Australia’s Harts Range is known for producing zircon birthstones in yellow-brown, orangy brown, pink, and purple. Go there and you’ll see open savannahs, dry stream beds, and low-lying hills that meet the horizon. Zircon Hill is where this December birthstone is mined. The nearby city of Alice Springs is known for its outback culture, aboriginal art, and quirky sporting events like a regatta race held in a dry river bed.
This December birthstone is often located near sapphire sources. In addition to Sri Lanka and Australia, countries where the two gems overlap include Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
Zircon Birthstone Care & Cleaning
Zircon ranges from 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It is commonly heat-treated to produce blue and colorless varieties, as well as orange, yellow, and red. The gem is generally stable when exposed to light, but some heat-treated stones may revert to their original colors (usually light brown) after prolonged exposure to bright light. Exposure to heat can alter the color of some zircon. This December birthstone is stable when exposed to chemicals.
Because zircon tends to abrade, it is best to avoid wearing it in rough conditions, such as while gardening, playing sports, or doing dishes.
Clean your zircon using a soft brush and mild soap in warm water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for this December birthstone.
The turquoise gemstone, which is the birthstone for December, represents timeless beauty, wisdom, and the resilience of human connection in addition to being a stunning piece of jewelry. For individuals who were born in December, turquoise acts as a symbol of their individuality and the particular bond they have with their birth month. Let the dazzling brightness of turquoise light your way as the year draws to an end, serving as a constant reminder of the joy and warmth of the holidays as well as the enduring beauty of love and connection.
source: www.gia.edu.com