What is the birthstone for December?
What is the December birthstone meaning?
What is the December birthstone color?
The December birthstone color is blue. All three of the December birthstones can be found in colors other than blue, but the common theme among them is their radiant blue color for December.
Tanzanite – a brilliant December birthstone color, can be found in a wide range of purples and blues. It is often heat treated to maximize the richness of the natural color in the stone. The most expensive tanzanite stones are typically a vivid violet-blue color.
Zircon can be found in a wide array of colors ranging from colorless to any color of the rainbow. Blue zircon is in higher demand than the other colors and is most often heat treated to create the deep blue tone that it carries.
Turquoise – The most popular most easily identified December birthstone color has a green-blue tint but also can be found in sky blue tones.
Where can the December birth stone be found?
Tanzanite was discovered in the 1960’s in Tanzania, the only place it has been found. Tiffany and Co. is responsible for bringing this vibrant gem to the market after declaring it, “the most beautiful blue stone to be found in 2,000 years.”
Zircon, the second of three birthstones for December, is a naturally formed mineral from zirconium silicate. It was once used to imitate diamonds in its colorless state. Now it is found in colors such as red, blue, yellow, orange, and green.
Turquoise can be found in the United States, Iran, the Sinai, and Egypt. It was first worn by the ancient Egyptians and is also known as the national gem of Tibet. This birthstone for December has been around since the 13th century.
What is the largest tanzanite found?
What is the largest zircon found?
What is the largest turquoise found?
What are the healing powers of the birthstone for December – tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise?
Tanzanite helps to relieve stress and lower high blood pressure. Its purpose is to alleviate depression, anxiety, fear, or worry. It can also be used to help increase fertility in women.
Zircon is believed to heal asthma and allergies, gallbladder and liver issues, and promote common sense.
Turquoise is known to ease mental tensions and to relax the mind. Native Americans used to place turquoise on tombstones to protect the dead.
What are the properties of the birthstone for December – tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise?
Tanzanite is a 6.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and has an orthorhombic crystal structure. Tanzanite can radiate different colors from different angles giving an appearance of color-changing.
Zircon ranges from transparent to opaque and ranges from a 6.5 to 7.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness.
Turquoise has a waxy luster and ranges from a 5 to 6 on the Mohs Scale.
How do you care for the December birthstones – tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise?
Tanzanite jewelry should be cleaned with warm, soapy water only. It should be kept away from chemicals and extreme temperature changes.
Zircon jewelry’s color can be affected by heat or intense light if it has previously been heat treated. It is recommended to keep it away from prolonged exposure to either of these.
Turquoise jewelry must be worn with special care as it can be damaged from skin oils, cosmetics, and chemicals. Turquoise dissolves when it comes in contact with chemicals, and exposure to heat can result in surface damage.
Each of the December birthstones should be cleaned with warm, soapy water. Ultrasonic cleaners will damage the surface of the stones due to its heat and vibration.
