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Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon: December Birthstones

Posted by on Dec 23, 2022 in | Comments Off on Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon: December Birthstones

Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon: December Birthstones

Turquoise: Meaning and History

Turquoise is a gemstone that ranges in color from blue to green and often has veins of its original rock running through it. This stone has remained popular since it’s discovery, with some of the first recorded instances of acclaim being attributed to the pharaohs and other rulers of ancient Egypt who decorated themselves with it; as well as the Chinese artisans who took to carving it thousands of years ago.

The Turquoise birthstone is said to possess many powers, such as improving physical health and promoting good fortune. While there are countless legends associated with the stone, the most common modern day association can be tied to Indigenous peoples. Turquoise played a huge part in the history of many tribes across North America, from the Apache who believed that Turquoise could be found by following a rainbow to its end, to the Pueblo who maintained that the stone stole its color straight from the sky.

Most Turquoise commercially available comes from the Nishapur district of Iran, where it has been mined for more than a thousand years.

Tanzanite: Meaning and History

Not only is Tanzanite a stunning stone on its own, it was one of the most thrilling gem discoveries of the 20th century. The primary source of Tanzanites was discovered in 1967, in the Merelani Hills. The stone was eventually named Tanzanite—by Tiffany & Co., believe it or not—in honor of its country of origin. According to GIA, Jewelers often describe the stone as “velvety,” mostly because of its deep and rich color, that ranges from blue to purple.

Today, it is not only a December birthstone, but also the gem that signifies the 24th wedding anniversary. Tanzanites are exceedingly rare, and legend has it that this stone can help develop intuition and deepen existing psychic abilities. It is commonly considered a stone of transformation in various cultures.

Zircon: Meaning and History

Zircon gemstones span a large color palette, popping up in shades of red, orange, yellow, brown, green, and blue. Colorless zircon is known for its brilliance, which has resulted in centuries of people confusing clear zircon with diamonds. When we think of the December birthstone version of Zircon, however, the general consensus is that the stone is blue—so, a Blue Zircon!

During the Middle Ages, Zircon was used to help people sleep and scare off evil spirits in the night. In the Hindu religion, Zircon is often alluded to as of the nine gems of the navaratna. When worn all together, these nine gems protect the wearer and bring about abundance, knowledge and health.

According to GIA, Victorians had a soft spot for Blue Zircon, and many stand-out pieces can be found in English estate jewelry from the 1880s. This is likely why Blue Zircon rose in popularity as the December birthstone.

At Sorg Jewelers we pride ourselves on service, having offered outstanding guidance and craftsmanship for over 120 years. From custom pieces to folkloric traditions, we have you covered from the moment you walk through our doors. Have more questions about the world of December Birthstones? Do you have a topic you’d like to see a deep dive done on? Let us know!