What are the December Birthstones?
It’s been such a crazy year, can you believe we finally made it to the end?
As the insanity of 2020 comes to a close and various holidays are on the horizon, there’s also quite a few birthdays to celebrate!
I thought I’d take the opportunity to share a little bit about my favorite December birthstones, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, and Zircon.
Before diving in, let’s take quick look at the zodiac signs for December, shall we?
A Rare Gem
It turns out that having a December birthday is relatively rare.
Depending on when the day lands, the zodiac sign for December babies is either the earth sign Sagittarius (Nov. 22- Dec. 21) which tends towards traits such as exceptional generosity, idealistic outlooks, and outgoing personalities or the fire sign Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) which are said to be responsible, disciplined, self-controlled, and reserved.
No matter their star sign, December babies are worth celebrating! A common complaint I’ve heard over the years? The hectic nature of the holidays tend to overshadow the birthdays of these beautiful souls. That means it’s more important than ever not to let that happen, so mark your calendars and set alarms to make sure you celebrate the occasion!
After all, everyone deserves to feel special on their birthday, right?
The December babies in your life are sure to love a special little surprise featuring any one of the December birthstones, which include lapis lazuli, turquoise, and zircon.
Let's take a closer look at each.
What is Lapis Lazuli?
With its gorgeous deep ocean blue shade lapis lazuli is a stunning gemstone. Also known as ultramarine, this gem was prized for its intense blue color, and was crushed and used as a pigment by artists during the Renaissance.
This stone can be pure blue, or feature a metallic pyrite and/or a white quartz veining. Metaphysically, lapis lazuli is thought to encourage clarity and objectivity.
Technically, lapis lazuli is no longer considered a “modern” December birthstone, and you may not see it on official birthstone lists, but it’s been a traditional birthstone for at least a hundred years. Maybe longer! This change happened pretty recently (in 2019), but I’m willing to keep the tradition alive for this beauty.
If you’re looking for something custom, please contact me! I have quite a few unique options for custom lapis lazuli jewelry.
To shop lapis lazuli jewelry, click here.
What is Turquoise?
Turquoise is a stone that everyone knows and loves. Ranging from pale robin eggs blue, to deep sky tones, and even various shades of green, the most recognizable shade of turquoise is the vibrant blue green and is often correlated to the blue winter season melting away into a beautiful green spring.
Depending on the variety, turquoise can feature a black, brown, gray or white matrix, while others are clear of these characteristics and are a pure blue. Turquoise is said to be a protective stone, and promotes a sense of calm and well being.
My personal favorite variety of turquoise is Arizona turquoise, specifically Sleeping Beauty turquoise, which is a true vibrant turquoise shade that sometimes has a white matrix. This variety is difficult to come by these days, as the Sleeping Beauty mine closed back in 2012 and the supply of rough is dwindling.
Luckily, I lived in Phoenix while they were still active, and I still have a little stash that’s ready and waiting for you!
If you’d like a custom turquoise design, please get in touch!
To shop the selection of turquoise jewelry, click here.
What is Zircon?
Zircon was introduced as a December birthstone in 2019, and replaced lapis lazuli as an official birthstone for the month in the States. It’s a lesser known gemstone, and I suspect that’s why the change came around.
Zircon is a little unusual because it can be mildly radioactive! Luckily, the levels are quite low, and the stone is safe for use in jewelry.
Zircon is said to facilitate healing, and is available in a myriad of colors, ranging from red, blue, yellow, pink, and gray.
To the naked eye, zircon can easily be mistaken for a diamond. In many cases, an expert using tools of the gemological trade is needed to make an actual determination.
Questions or Comments About December Birthstones?
So tell me, are you a December baby? How do you feel about lapis being taking off the official December birthstone list? Do you have a favorite type of turquoise? Would you wear a radioactive gem?
I’d love to hear from you!
Share your answers in the comments, and let me know if you have any questions or comments for me.
And if you’re looking for a custom design for an upcoming birthday, or just want to treat yourself to something made from any of these beautiful gemstones, feel free to contact me.
Until next time take care and be well. Ciao!