December Birthstone: Turquoise & Tanzanite & Blue Zircon
December's birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite and blue zircon. Turquoise is sky blue and traditionally associated with protection, good fortune; Tanzanite is blue-violet and traditionally associated with transformation, dignity; Blue Zircon is bright blue and traditionally associated with clarity, wisdom, brightness.
Modern U.S. list · reviewed by MyPiece Editorial · 2026-08-04
- Stones
- Turquoise & Tanzanite & Blue Zircon
- Colour
- Turquoise: sky blue · Tanzanite: blue-violet · Blue Zircon: bright blue
- Hardness
- Turquoise: Mohs 5–6 · Tanzanite: Mohs 6–7 · Blue Zircon: Mohs 6–7.5
- Zodiac
- Sagittarius · Capricorn
Turquoise
Modern U.S. list · term 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 around Nishapur, Iran. A historic source of Persian blue turquoise; the US Southwest is another important source region.
Mined around Nishapur, Iran
Razavi Khorasan · Iran
A historic source of Persian blue turquoise; the US Southwest is another important source region.
Where is turquoise cut and traded?
Turquoise is cut and traded in The American Southwest, USA.
Tanzanite
Modern U.S. list · term 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 around Merelani Hills, Tanzania. The only known commercial source of tanzanite.
Mined around Merelani Hills, Tanzania
Manyara Region · Tanzania
The only known commercial source of tanzanite.
Where is tanzanite cut and traded?
Tanzanite is cut and traded in Jaipur, India and Arusha, Tanzania.
Blue Zircon
Modern U.S. list · term blue-zircon · gemstone: Zircon
Blue zircon is natural zircon, valued for brilliance and fire rather than imitation. Much blue material is heat treated, a common and stable trade practice when disclosed, and the stone is softer than sapphire or diamond, so it deserves gentler wear.
Traditionally a symbol of clarity, wisdom, brightness, and Mohs 6–7.5 — softer, so wear it gently and clean it with care. How to care for it →
Where does blue zircon come from?
Blue Zircon is found around Elahera, Sri Lanka. Zircon occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels. Blue Zircon is mined around Harts Range, Australia. A recorded Australian zircon source region.
Found around Elahera, Sri Lanka
Central Province · Sri Lanka
Zircon occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels.
Mined around Harts Range, Australia
Northern Territory · Australia
A recorded Australian zircon source region.
Modern & traditional
Birthstone lists have shifted across cultures and centuries. This page follows the Jewelers of America modern U.S. list. Turquoise & Tanzanite & Blue Zircon are the modern listed stones for December. Turquoise is December's traditional stone; zircon joined the modern list in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002. Jewelers of America presents the modern December option as blue zircon.
Common questions
What is December's birthstone?
December's birthstones are turquoise, tanzanite and blue zircon. Turquoise is December's traditional stone; zircon joined the modern list in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002. Jewelers of America presents the modern December option as blue zircon.
What colour is December's birthstone?
December's stones span turquoise (sky blue), tanzanite (blue-violet) and blue zircon (bright blue).
What does December's birthstone mean?
Turquoise traditionally stands for protection, good fortune; Tanzanite traditionally stands for transformation, dignity; Blue Zircon traditionally stands for clarity, wisdom, brightness — associations carried by custom, not science.
Why does December have more than one birthstones?
Birthstone lists evolved across cultures and eras. On the modern U.S. list maintained by Jewelers of America, December carries turquoise, tanzanite and blue zircon; traditional and regional lists may differ.
Where are turquoise, tanzanite and blue zircon sourced?
Turquoise is mined around Nishapur, Iran. A historic source of Persian blue turquoise; the US Southwest is another important source region. Tanzanite is mined around Merelani Hills, Tanzania. The only known commercial source of tanzanite. Blue Zircon is found around Elahera, Sri Lanka. Zircon occurs in Sri Lanka's gem-bearing alluvial gravels. Blue Zircon is mined around Harts Range, Australia. A recorded Australian zircon source region.
What is the Sagittarius and Capricorn birthstone?
December runs from Sagittarius into Capricorn, and turquoise & tanzanite & blue zircon serve both in the calendar-month list. Sign-based tables can use different traditions.
Which December birthstone should you choose?
Turquoise is sky blue and Mohs 5–6, so a protected setting and gentler wear matter; Tanzanite is blue-violet and Mohs 6–7, so a protected setting and gentler wear matter; Blue Zircon is bright blue and Mohs 6–7.5, so a protected setting and gentler wear matter. Choose by colour, intended wear, setting protection, and which tradition or source story matters to the wearer.
Can you wear December's birthstones every day?
Turquoise is Mohs 5–6; use a protected setting and avoid repeated knocks, scratches and harsh cleaning; Tanzanite is Mohs 6–7; use a protected setting and avoid repeated knocks, scratches and harsh cleaning; Blue Zircon is Mohs 6–7.5; use a protected setting and avoid repeated knocks, scratches and harsh cleaning. Hardness is only one care factor, so the setting and the stone's condition still matter.
Sources & further reading
Turquoise
- GIA - Turquoise Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Turquoisechecked 2026-08-04
Tanzanite
- GIA - Tanzanite Descriptionchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Tanzanitechecked 2026-08-04
Blue Zircon
- Jewelers of America - Birthstone Jewelrychecked 2026-08-04
- GIA - December Birthstones: Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zirconchecked 2026-08-04
- Wikipedia - Zirconchecked 2026-08-04