December Birthstone: Turquoise and Tanzanite Meaning, Colour and Gift Ideas

What is the December Birthstone?

Lucky December babies, you get more than one. The December birthstones are turquoise and tanzanite, with blue zircon and blue topaz joining the party too. Every one of them comes in a shade of wintry blue, like frost on a window, a clear cold sky, or the last light before a long solstice night.

Here at The Healing Pear we work mostly with the first two, so this guide is our love letter to turquoise and tanzanite: what they mean, where they come from, and how to choose the right one for you (or for the December soul you are shopping for). You can browse our handmade December birthstone jewellery any time the mood takes you.

December Birthstones at a Glance

	Turquoise	Tanzanite
Colour	Sky blue to blue-green	Violet-blue to deep indigo
Meaning	Protection, wisdom, friendship and good fortune	Transformation, intuition and insight
Chakras	Throat	Third eye and crown
Found in	Iran, Egypt, the south-western United States, China	One small corner of Tanzania, and nowhere else on Earth
Mohs hardness	5 to 6	6 to 7
Zodiac	Sagittarius (22 November to 21 December) and Capricorn (22 December to 19 January)

What Colour is the December Birthstone?

The December birthstone colour is blue, in all its moods. Turquoise gives us that unmistakable robin's-egg blue, sometimes drifting towards green and often laced with dark veins called matrix. Tanzanite is the dramatic one, shifting between blue, violet and a flash of burgundy depending on how the light catches it. If December had a colour palette, it would be these two side by side: one bright and open like a winter sky, the other deep and velvety like midnight.

Turquoise Meaning: The Stone of Protection and Good Fortune

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones humans have ever fallen in love with. The ancient Egyptians set it into the burial mask of Tutankhamun, Persian craftspeople mined and treasured it for thousands of years, and it has long been held sacred by the Navajo, Zuni and Pueblo peoples of the American Southwest. Its name comes from the old French for 'Turkish stone', because it first reached Europe along trade routes through Turkey.

Across all of those cultures, the turquoise meaning stays remarkably similar. This is a stone of protection, a talisman for travellers, and a token of friendship. It is said to bring wisdom, good fortune and an open, honest heart. We think of it as a little piece of sky you can carry in your pocket, a reminder to speak your truth and keep your sense of adventure.

A quick word for the curious: our much-loved African turquoise is not a true turquoise at all. It is a teal-green jasper with a personality all of its own, known as the stone of evolution. It makes a gorgeous December gift for anyone who likes their blues on the earthy side.

Tanzanite Meaning: The Stone of Transformation

If turquoise is the wise old soul, tanzanite is the new arrival with a touch of stardust. It was only discovered in 1967, in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania, in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro. Tiffany & Co. named it after its homeland the following year, and in 2002 it was officially welcomed as a December birthstone.

Tanzanite is found in that one small patch of earth and nowhere else, which makes it rarer than diamond. It is a variety of the mineral zoisite, and its party trick is showing different colours from different angles: blue from one side, violet from another, with a wink of burgundy in between.

The tanzanite meaning is all about transformation, intuition and seeing things clearly. It is linked with the third eye and crown chakras, making it a favourite for meditation, dream work and anyone standing at the edge of a new chapter. A very fitting stone for the month when one year closes and another begins.

The Other December Birthstones: Blue Zircon and Blue Topaz

December is generous. Alongside turquoise and tanzanite you will often see two more names on the list.

• Blue zircon: not to be confused with cubic zirconia. Natural zircon is one of the oldest minerals on Earth, with some crystals dating back more than four billion years. It sparkles with a fire that rivals diamond.
• Blue topaz: crisp, icy and wonderfully hard-wearing, in shades from pale sky to deep London blue. You will find topaz among our November birthstones too.

Turquoise or Tanzanite: Which December Birthstone is for You?

There is no wrong answer, but here is how we like to think about it.

• Choose turquoise if you are a free spirit and a storyteller, happiest outdoors, with a soft spot for ancient things and well-worn paths.
• Choose tanzanite if you are a dreamer and a deep thinker, drawn to twilight, mystery and anything a little bit otherworldly.
• Choose both if you are a December baby who refuses to be put in a box. We approve.

December Birthstones and the Zodiac

December is shared by two signs. Adventurous Sagittarius (22 November to 21 December) has long been paired with turquoise, the traveller's talisman. Steady, ambitious Capricorn (22 December to 19 January) often feels at home with tanzanite's quiet depth. For more star-sign pairings, wander over to our guide to gemstone jewellery for your zodiac sign.

How to Wear and Care for December Birthstones

Both of these beauties are on the softer side, so a little kindness goes a long way.

• Turquoise is porous. Keep it away from water, perfume, lotions and oils, and pop it on last when you are getting ready.
• Tanzanite does not enjoy hard knocks or sudden changes in temperature. Necklaces and earrings are the gentlest way to wear it every day.
• Store each piece on its own in a soft pouch, and wipe with a dry cloth after wearing.

To keep the energy of your stones feeling fresh, have a read of our guide to cleansing your crystals. Moonlight and smoke are the kindest methods for both.

December Birthstone Gift Ideas

A December birthday can get a little lost among the tinsel, which is exactly why a birthstone makes such a thoughtful gift. It says: this one is just for you.

• For an everyday treasure, our African turquoise bead bracelet is an easy favourite.
• For something truly one of a kind, explore the full December birthstone collection, from hand carved turquoise leaves to tanzanite hearts.
• Not sure which they would choose? Browse our gift ideas or let them pick with a gift voucher.

Every piece is cleansed, energy infused, vegan and cruelty free, and 5% of all proceeds go to Pacific Wild to help protect the Great Bear Rainforest.

December Birthstone FAQs

What is the birthstone for December?

December has several birthstones. Turquoise and tanzanite are the best known, with blue zircon and blue topaz also on the list.

What colour is the December birthstone?

Blue. Turquoise ranges from sky blue to blue-green, while tanzanite glows violet-blue to deep indigo.

Why does December have more than one birthstone?

Birthstone lists have been updated over the years to give people more choice of colour and price. Turquoise is the traditional December stone, and tanzanite was added in 2002.

What does turquoise symbolise?

Turquoise is a symbol of protection, wisdom, friendship and good fortune, and has been worn as a talisman for thousands of years.

What does tanzanite symbolise?

Tanzanite symbolises transformation, intuition and new beginnings.

Is tanzanite rarer than diamond?

Yes. Tanzanite comes from a single small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and nowhere else in the world.

Can I wear turquoise every day?

You can, with care. Turquoise is soft and porous, so take it off before washing, swimming or applying perfume and lotions.

What is the birthstone for Sagittarius and Capricorn?

Turquoise is the stone most often paired with Sagittarius, and tanzanite is a lovely match for December-born Capricorns.

Explore More Birthstones

Shopping for another month? See every stone in our guide to birthstone jewellery by month, peek at November's topaz and citrine or January's garnet, or lose yourself in our A-Z crystal guide. And if you love a deep blue stone, our lapis lazuli guide is waiting for you.