December Birthstone
No other birth month hands out four official birthstones, and every single one of them happens to be some shade of blue. Turquoise, blue zircon, tanzanite, and blue topaz all belong to December, giving winter babies a spread of color that ranges from icy pale to deep, velvety indigo. It's a lineup unlike any other month on the calendar, and it means December birthdays come with more ways to celebrate than most people realize. At JTV, we've spent years sourcing genuine tanzanite, topaz, and more, cut into pieces meant to celebrate exactly that range. We know how each stone catches light differently, and how to help you find the one that feels like it was made for you. In this article, we'll take a look at how December ended up with so many birthstones, and what that history means for shoppers today. We'll also cover how to pick the right one for a birthday that lands right in the middle of the holidays.
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Four Stones, One Winter Palette
December's four birthstones all share a family resemblance, even though each one has its own distinct story.
Why December Claims More Birthstones Than Any Other Month
No other birth month comes close to December's lineup of four official stones. That abundance exists partly because gemstone lists have changed over decades, and rather than replacing older stones, new ones simply got added alongside them.
Turquoise: December's Original Blue
Turquoise is December's oldest birthstone, mined and worn for thousands of years. It carries deep roots in Native American culture specifically, and its opaque, sky-to-sea-green blue has turned up in art, adornment, and legend since ancient times. Read our full Birthstone Guide by Month to see how other months built their own histories.
Tanzanite: The Rarest Blue Stone On Earth
Tanzanite wasn't even discovered until 1967, and to this day, it's found in only one place on Earth. That rarity is part of why it's earned the marketing line "tanzanite is timeless" among collectors and jewelers alike.
Blue Topaz And Blue Zircon Rounding Out December's Palette
Blue topaz and blue zircon complete December's four-stone lineup, each offering its own shade within the same cool color family. Together, the four stones give December more variety than any other birth month can claim.
A Birthday That Doubles As Holiday Season
December is the only birth month where birthday shopping and holiday shopping happen at exactly the same time.
Choosing A December Birthstone Ring For A December Birthday
A December birthstone ring in tanzanite or blue topaz works as a birthday gift that also feels right at home during the holiday season. The blue tones pair naturally with winter's usual color palette.
When A Birthday Gift Becomes A Holiday Gift Too
Shopping for a December birthday means navigating a season already full of gift lists and deadlines. For tips on managing both at once, our Holiday Jewelry Gift Guide covers timing and strategy.
December Birthstone Earrings For Effortless Sparkle
A pair of December birthstone earrings makes an easy gift that doesn't require guessing a ring size. They also work well layered into an outfit for a holiday party or family gathering.
Matching December's Blues To Your Existing Jewelry
With four main stones to choose from, many December shoppers find it easier to start by looking at what they already wear most often. Turquoise leans opaque and earthy, which makes it a natural fit for anyone drawn to bohemian or vintage-inspired styling; it also tends to look striking against silver settings, where its matte, sky-blue surface can really stand out. Blue topaz sits at the opposite end of the spectrum, offering a clean, transparent sparkle that reads as more polished and works especially well in classic gold or white gold settings meant for everyday wear.
Tanzanite splits the difference in some ways, since its violet-blue depth carries both the richness of a fine gemstone and enough versatility to move from daytime to evening wear without feeling out of place. Blue zircon adds a fourth option to the mix, with brighter, higher-sparkle stones that range from pale icy tones to deeper blues, making it a versatile pick for anyone who wants extra shine without extra size.
Because December's birthstones span such different looks, it's entirely possible to build a small collection that includes all four, wearing turquoise for casual days, blue topaz for the office, tanzanite for special occasions, and blue zircon for a little added sparkle any day of the week. Given the holiday timing, this is also a natural season to layer in a second or third piece as a gift to yourself, rather than feeling locked into choosing only one December birthstone for the year.
A Quick Look Back At November's Golden Gems
If you're curious what November celebrated first, our November Birthstone Guide picks up the story just before this one.
Sorting December's Blues By Rarity
Not all four December birthstones sit at the same price point, and knowing where each one lands helps with shopping.
- Turquoise Sits Most Accessible: Turquoise remains one of the more affordable options within December's four-stone lineup.
- Blue Zircon Offers Brilliant Value: Blue zircon delivers plenty of sparkle at a price that sits alongside turquoise on the more accessible end.
- Blue Topaz Offers Middle Ground: Blue topaz balances affordability with a deeper, richer color than turquoise typically shows.
- Tanzanite Claims The Rarest Spot: Its single-source origin makes it the most exclusive of December's birthstones by far.
- The Full Four Stone Story: Our December Birthstones: Tanzanite & Turquoise guide goes deeper into all four stones.
- Shopping December Birthstone Jewelry: However you shop, December birthstone jewelry spans every price point across all four stones.
- Every Month In One Place: Browse the full year in Shop All Birthstone Jewelry.
Knowing where each stone falls makes it easier to shop with a specific budget in mind.
The Blues Behind Our December Collection
Blue Topaz Jewelry
Our topaz collection includes rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in a range of blue tones, from icy sky blue through electric Swiss blue to deep London blue. We carry both natural and treated stones, with brands like Judith Ripka and Stackable Expressions offering styles at different price points. It's a versatile choice for anyone who wants classic blue sparkle without the rarity price tag.
Tanzanite Jewelry
Our tanzanite collection spans rings, earrings, necklaces, and bracelets in its signature violet-blue color, sourced from the single mine where the stone was first discovered in 1967. We carry it in gold, silver, and Platineve settings across a range of price points. Given its rarity, we consider tanzanite one of the more special pieces in our December lineup.
December Birthstone Jewelry
This collection brings turquoise, tanzanite, blue topaz, and blue zircon together specifically as December's official birthstones, separate from our individual stone catalogs. It's the easiest starting point if you're shopping for a December birthday and want to compare all four main stones side by side.
Frequently Asked Questions About December Birthstones
December has four official birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, blue topaz, and blue zircon.
Tanzanite comes from a single source and was only discovered in 1967, making it far rarer.
Yes, since the blue tones naturally suit winter styling beyond just birthday gifting.
Most blue topaz undergoes treatment to intensify or create its blue color from colorless topaz.
Yes, we carry tanzanite in gold, silver, and Platineve settings across multiple jewelry types.
Turquoise holds deep cultural significance in Native American history, dating back thousands of years.
