What Is December's Birthstone? A Turquoise, Tanzanite, and Zircon Gift Guide

The short answer: December is one of the only months with three official birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. All three are blue toned, which makes shopping easy even if you cannot remember which one is "correct," since any of the three is a legitimate birthstone gift for a December birthday. Turquoise is the oldest and most traditional choice, tanzanite is the newest and rarest, and zircon is the most affordable.

Why December gets three stones

Most months settled on one birthstone a long time ago. December did not, because turquoise and zircon had both been associated with the month for centuries, and neither one ever fully won out. Then in 2002, the American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite to the list, a gemstone that was not even discovered until 1967. So December's birthstone list is really a short history of gemstone discovery: an ancient stone, a classic stone, and a modern one, all sharing the same month.

Turquoise

Turquoise is one of the oldest gemstones used in jewelry, worn across Egyptian, Persian, and Native American cultures for thousands of years. It has long been associated with protection, health, and good fortune, and Native American tribes historically used it in amulets. Its opaque, sky blue to blue-green color is instantly recognizable, part of why it remains popular even though it is a softer stone than most gems used in fine jewelry.

Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a deep blue-purple gemstone found in exactly one place on earth, a small mining area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It was only discovered in 1967, which makes it young by gemstone standards and genuinely rare, since there is no other known source. Tanzanite is associated with transformation and spiritual growth, a fitting theme for a birthstone that closes out the calendar year.

Zircon

Zircon is often confused with cubic zirconia, but they are unrelated. Zircon is a natural gemstone that occurs in a wide range of colors, though blue zircon is the variety most associated with December. It is prized for its brightness and clarity, and historically it was linked to renewed purpose, a nice sentiment for a birthday near the turn of the year.

What to give for a December birthday

For a straightforward, wearable option, the Name Necklace with Birthstone ($59.99) pairs her name in flowing script with a hand-set birthstone-color crystal, so you get the personal touch and the birthstone nod in one piece. If the December birthday belongs to a new baby, the Baby Feet Birthstone Necklace ($46.99) marks the birth month with engraved baby feet and a birthstone crystal, a keepsake a new parent will actually wear. And for something with no crystal at all, just a clean, modern name, the Signature Name Necklace ($49.99) is cut in flowing script that reads like her own handwriting, a good choice if she prefers understated jewelry over anything with color.

Which stone should you pick if you are shopping for a gift

If you do not know the person's exact preference, blue is a safe default, all three December stones live in that family. If she already wears mostly silver and cooler tones, either turquoise or tanzanite blue reads well. If budget matters more than rarity, zircon and turquoise are both more accessible than tanzanite, though for personalized jewelry with a birthstone-style crystal, the price difference on the piece itself is not driven by which of the three you are referencing.

Ordering timeline for a December birthday

Every piece is made to order, which takes 3 to 5 business days before it ships, followed by free tracked shipping that typically runs 8 to 14 days. For a December birthday, especially one close to the holidays, order at least 3 weeks ahead. December is also our busiest shipping month store-wide, so earlier is genuinely better this time of year.

Questions people ask

Which of the three December birthstones is the "real" one?
All three are official. Turquoise and zircon have been associated with December for centuries; tanzanite joined the list in 2002. None of them is more correct than the others.

Is tanzanite more valuable than turquoise or zircon?
Generally yes, because it comes from a single source near Mount Kilimanjaro and nowhere else on earth, which makes fine tanzanite rarer than turquoise or most zircon.

Can I combine birthstones for a family piece?
Yes, personalized pieces can be set with more than one birthstone crystal when a design supports multiple stones, useful for parents combining kids' birth months on one necklace.

Does the birthstone crystal fade or change color?
No. The crystal is set securely into tarnish-resistant metal and is not exposed to anything that would change its color under normal wear.

Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?
No, and this is a common mix-up. Zircon is a natural gemstone; cubic zirconia is a lab-made diamond substitute. They are unrelated despite the similar name.

How long can a name be on the birthstone necklace?
Up to about 10 to 12 characters keeps the script bold and legible. Longer names still work, with slightly finer lettering as the pendant widens.