December Birthstone: Turquoise & Tanzanite
December's birthstones are turquoise and tanzanite. Sky blue, and traditionally a symbol of protection, good fortune.
- Stones
- Turquoise & Tanzanite
- Colour
- sky blue, blue-violet
- Hardness
- Mohs 5–6 · 6–7
- Zodiac
- Sagittarius · Capricorn
Turquoise
One of the oldest gems worked by humans — mined in Persia and the American Southwest for millennia and set in the treasures of pharaohs. It's porous and soft, which means it slowly takes on the character, and sometimes the oils, of the hand that wears it; the 'Persian' sky-blue is the standard the trade still names.
Traditionally a symbol of protection, good fortune, and Mohs 5–6 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does turquoise come from?
Turquoise is mined chiefly in Nishapur, Iran — the historic 'Persian' blue; also the US Southwest.
Nishapur, Iran
the historic 'Persian' blue; also the US Southwest
Where is turquoise cut and traded?
Turquoise is cut and traded in The American Southwest, USA.
Tanzanite
Found in exactly one place on earth — the Merelani hills of Tanzania — and known only since 1967, which makes it one of the youngest gems ever discovered. It's pleochroic: the same stone flashes blue, violet and burgundy as you turn it. Because there's only one deposit, the supply is finite by definition.
Traditionally a symbol of transformation, dignity, and Mohs 6–7 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does tanzanite come from?
Tanzanite is mined chiefly in Merelani Hills, Tanzania — found in exactly one place on Earth.
Merelani Hills, Tanzania
found in exactly one place on Earth
Where is tanzanite cut and traded?
Tanzanite is cut and traded in Jaipur, India and Arusha, Tanzania.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries — the modern one was standardised by the American jewellers' trade in 1912 and updated since. Turquoise & Tanzanite are the modern choices for December. Turquoise is December's traditional stone; zircon joined the modern list in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002.
Common questions
What is December's birthstone?
December's birthstones are turquoise and tanzanite. Turquoise is December's traditional stone; zircon joined the modern list in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002.
What colour is December's birthstone?
December runs two — turquoise is sky blue, and tanzanite is blue-violet.
What does December's birthstone mean?
Turquoise traditionally stands for protection, good fortune; Tanzanite traditionally stands for transformation, dignity — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does December have two birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras, and jewellers' associations later added alternates for choice, durability and affordability — so December carries turquoise & tanzanite.
Where are turquoise and tanzanite mined?
Chiefly Nishapur, Iran — the historic 'Persian' blue; also the US Southwest. Tanzanite comes chiefly from Merelani Hills, Tanzania.
What is the Sagittarius and Capricorn birthstone?
December runs from Sagittarius into Capricorn, and turquoise & tanzanite serve both — though sign-based tables can differ from the calendar-month lists.
Should you choose turquoise or tanzanite for December?
Both are official December birthstones, so either is a genuine choice. Turquoise (sky blue, Mohs 5–6) is softer, so it's best kept for occasions or worn as a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Tanzanite (blue-violet, Mohs 6–7) is more delicate. Choose by the colour you prefer, how hard it'll be worn, and budget.
Can you wear December's birthstones every day?
Turquoise is Mohs 5–6 — softer, so best kept for occasions or worn where it takes fewer knocks, like a pendant or earrings rather than a ring; Tanzanite is Mohs 6–7 — softer, so best kept for occasions or worn where it takes fewer knocks, like a pendant or earrings rather than a ring.