December birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon
December has three birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite and zircon, all found in shades of blue.
How to read it
Turquoise was the December birthstone on the 1912 list, with lapis lazuli as its alternate. Zircon was added in 1952 and tanzanite in 2002. Turquoise is an opaque blue to green gem, often veined with the rock it formed in; tanzanite is blue to bluish purple.
Also searched as: birthstone for December, Dec birthstone, tanzanite birthstone, turquoise birthstone.
Lists differ for December
GIA lists turquoise, tanzanite and zircon. The International Gem Society's chart also names blue topaz, and lapis lazuli from the 1912 list.
More birthstones
Sources
- December Birthstones: Turquoise, Tanzanite and Zircon (GIA), Gemological Institute of America
- Birthstone Chart: Modern and Traditional Birthstones, International Gem Society
- The Curious Lore of Precious Stones, by George Frederick Kunz, 1913, J. B. Lippincott (Project Gutenberg edition)
- JA, AGTA Add Spinel as August Birthstone, National Jeweler, 2 June 2016, National Jeweler
Last reviewed September 27, 2026 by Rory Hansen. How we research