December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite, & Zircon
December's Dazzling Trio: Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon - A Celebration of History and Hue
For those lucky enough to celebrate a December birthday, the world of birthstones offers a delightful abundance of choice. Not one, but three distinct gemstones grace this winter month, each with its own unique charm and captivating history. While turquoise boasts widespread recognition and a rich cultural legacy, tanzanite and zircon stand as legends within the gemology community. What's more, both tanzanite and zircon can occur in a breathtaking spectrum of colors and can be heat-treated to enhance or alter their hues. Whether you're seeking a timeless classic or a geological marvel, December's birthstones offer the perfect storied gem to celebrate that special someone.
Turquoise: The Iconic Stone of Sky and Spirit:
Let's begin with turquoise, perhaps the most familiar of the trio to those outside the world of jewelry. This captivating blue and/or green gemstone is deeply intertwined with the American Southwest. While New Mexico was historically a primary source, the early 1900s saw Nevada and Arizona emerge as the leading exporting states. However, its history extends far beyond North America. For over a millennium, Iran was home to vast turquoise deposits and numerous prolific mines. Today, China stands as the world's largest producer of this beloved stone.
Throughout history, numerous cultures have held this gorgeous stone in high esteem. In ancient Egypt, the ruling elite frequently adorned themselves with turquoise ornaments. Most notably, King Tutankhamun's funerary mask was lavishly inlaid with turquoise. In the Western Hemisphere, Native American tribes deeply revered turquoise, believing in its inherent powers. The Apache tribe held the belief that turquoise could be found by following a rainbow to its end and would decorate their weapons with the sky-blue gem to enhance accuracy and effectiveness. Further south, the Pueblo tribe believed the stone's light blue color was a direct reflection of the sky above. However, not all turquoise mined or found exhibits the iconic baby blue hue. Many turquoise stones undergo heat treatment with acrylics or epoxy to enhance their color and improve their hardness, as it typically ranks between 5 and 6 on the Mohs Scale.
Tanzanite: A Gemological Superstar with a Limited Future:
Moving on to tanzanite, a true rockstar in the gemology community for its status as the newest gemstone recognized as a birthstone. As its name suggests, the original tanzanite stones were discovered in Tanzania in the mid-1900s. Remarkably, most tanzanite emerges from the earth with a brownish color and is then heat-treated to achieve the stunning blue and purple hues for which it is so celebrated. These rich colors often give the stone a velvety appearance. While both blue and purple variations are beautiful, the blue hues are generally considered more valuable. Tanzanite is not considered a particularly hard gemstone, making it best suited for pendants and earrings rather than rings or bracelets that endure more wear and tear.
Despite its relatively recent discovery, tanzanite is believed to possess powerful metaphysical properties, said to break down negativity and foster positivity. It is also thought to help the wearer realize the balance between personal power and actualization. Sadly, because tanzanite is found in only one location on the planet, its supply is undeniably finite. This means that one day, the last tanzanite stones will be mined. Now is the time to acquire a piece of this dazzling bluish-purple gemstone for yourself, as its value is sure to skyrocket in the years to come.
Zircon: The Ancient Survivor, A Testament to Earth's History:
The third and final birthstone of December is the esteemed zircon. This gemstone couldn't be more different from its relatively young counterpart, tanzanite. While tanzanite is the most recent gemological discovery, zircon is by far the oldest gemstone we have ever found. The vast majority of zircon stones are billions of years old, with the oldest specimen discovered dating back an astounding 4.4 billion years. To truly grasp the immensity of that timeframe, consider that the most recent estimates place the Earth's age at approximately 4.543 billion years. Zircon has been around for nearly the entirety of our planet's existence, forming and surviving on a volcanic, toxic, asteroid-prone early Earth. This remarkable gemstone truly embodies resilience.
This amazing stone occurs in a wide array of colors, but blue is the most common in jewelry. Once mined, zircon is often heat-treated to achieve either blue or clear results. The clear variety was historically used as a diamond substitute in engagement rings during the 1800s. Zircon is most commonly found in Australia and Sri Lanka, with other deposits located in countries such as Vietnam, Myanmar, and Cambodia. The famous 4.4-billion-year-old zircon was unearthed in Australia.
Celebrate December with Timeless Beauty:
Shop CLT Jewels today for a curated selection of antique and vintage estate jewelry. We also invite you to visit Malak Jewelers to explore our beautiful collection of turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon jewelry, alongside other exquisite gemstones, dazzling diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, luxurious 22k gold pieces, and a wide selection of fine jewelry including rings, earrings, necklaces, pendants, and bracelets. Find us conveniently located in South Charlotte, North Carolina, at The Arboretum Shopping Center, at the corner of Providence Road and Pineville-Matthews / Highway 51. Our doors are open Monday through Saturday, from 10 am to 6 pm. Discover the perfect December birthstone to illuminate your life!