December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon

December babies are lucky because they have not one, not two, but three gorgeous birthstones to choose from: Tanzanite, Zircon and Turquoise. These beautiful wintery, blue hues, makes each of these stones the ideal Christmas or Hanukkah gift. Tanzanite Tanzanite is a rare gemstone that has only ever been found in one place: a mountain range in Tanzania. It was accidentally discovered by a Masai tribesman in the year 1967, making it the most recent addition to the list of December birthstones. It has a distinctive, rich blue color that ranges from light blue to royal blue to deep purple. If Tanzanite is left untreated, it is typically a brown color. The common blue hue you think of when you think of tanzanite is due to the treatment of heat they are put under (similar to how many sapphires obtain that deep blue color). The originally discovered blue crystals were an exception because they had most likely been exposed to a natural heat source before they were discovered. Tanzanite has a 6.5 to 7 rating on the Mohs hardness scale, and can be susceptible to abrasion, so it is better suited being earrings or pendants than rings. There are rare cases where tanzanite has been found in green, pink, and yellow. Tanzanite for a Gift... Tanzanite jewelry is the perfect Christmas gift because of its pleochroism - depending on how it is viewed, it shows different colors. This means that the primary color of the gem someone sees is dependent on how the stone is cut and set in the jewelry. This December birthstone is resistant to the everyday effects of heat, light and common chemicals. Additionally, tanzanite is easy to clean. To wash tanzanite, just use warm, soapy water. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are not recommended for tanzanite. If you are going to buy this ring for someone that is very active, consider placing the gemstone in a setting that protects the stone. Zirconia Not to be confused with the synthetic cubic zirconia, zirconia is a naturally occurring stone that is available in a variety of colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and brown. This wide array of colors is caused by impurities, which give the stones their striking appearance and fire. Zircon is the oldest mineral on earth. Some scholars believe the word "zircon" is derived from the zarkun, which is the Arabic word for cinnabar or vermillion. Others that believe this word is derived from Farsi. In the Middle Ages, zircon was believed to put one in a deep sleep and scare evil spirits. For the Hindu religion, zircon along with hessonite garnet is one of the gems of the navaratna. When these nine gems are worn together, they are thought to protect the wearer and bring wealth, wisdom, and good health. Australia's Hart Range is known for producing yellow-brown, pink, purple, and orangey brown zircon birthstones. Like tanzanite, it is treated with heat to produce blue and colorless hues, in addition to orange, yellow, and red. Is Zircon A Good Christmas Gift? Zircon would be a great Christmas gift because it ranges from 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness making it durable enough for everyday wear in necklaces and earrings. Zircon, like tanzanite, is easy to clean. You just need a soft brush, and mild soapy, warm water. Colorless zircon would be a great gift because of its brilliance and flashes of multicolored light, known as fire. The features of colorless zircon were so similar to diamond properties that they were often confused for centuries! Though a great present, zircon should not be worn while doing rough activities like gardening, working out, or dishwashing. Turquoise Turquoise has been valued for millennia, and has made such an impact that the name of a color was created to describe its striking hues, which can range from a light, powdery blue to greenish-blue. The word “turquoise” is derived from the French pierre tourques or “Turkish stone,” as the stone was originally brought to Europe from Turkey. However, the stone has been highly valued since ancient egyptian times. It also is the stone that is symbolic for the 11th wedding anniversary. Turquoise was thought to have many beneficial powers, like guaranteeing good fortune as well as health. Dating back as early as the 13th century, it was believed to protect the wearer from falling (specifically from falling off of horses), and the gemstone supposedly would break into multiple pieces if disaster was near. Today, China is the greatest producer of turquoise jewelry. Turquoise is a staple in Native American jewelry and many other cultures around the world for many reasons. Many Americans associate turquoise with Native American jewelry history, but it actually came into the hands of Native Americans because of the French and Spanish explorers and trade before the formation of the 13 colonies. The Apache interestingly held the belief that the end of a rainbow is where turquoise could be found. Additionally, they believed that turquoise attached to a bow or firearm would make their aim more precise. Is Turquoise A Good Gift? Turquoise is a great Christmas present because it can be altered to fit your loved one's desires. Turquoise can be dyed or chemically enhanced to increase hardness or produce a better color. Like tanzanite, and zircon, turquoise should be cleaned with warm, soapy water. The turquoise with the best quality is harder and more durable. Turquoise jewelry has been discovered thousands of years later to be equally as bright and beautiful for its own special reasons. Natural turquoise can absorb many things that may impact its color like cleaning products, perfume, or metal polish. So it's imperative that turquoise jewelry is removed before applying products to your skin. All three birthstones would make the perfect Christmas gift for this holiday season, but if you are still undecided, check out our 2021 Christmas and Hanukkah Gift Guide. At Malak Jewelers, we have a wide selection of December birthstone jewelry in-store and it is our mission to help you find the piece that you and that special person will love! Schedule an appointment or pay us a visit at our Arboretum Shopping Center location in Charlotte, NC. Plus it never hurts to support small businesses in the Charlotte area by #ShoppingLocal Voted Best Jewelry Store in Charlotte for 2021 by the readers of The Charlotte Observer.