Hardness: 5.5-6.5 FREE Turquoise, the oldest birthstone of December, is blue. Affiliate Disclosure However, you should pick the birthstones you like best. The International Gem Society (IGS) is the world's top resource for gem professionals, enthusiasts, and industry content. Turquoise is a birthstone for the month of December. Color: Pearl color is the result of a body color and an overtone color or orient present as a lustrous sheen. If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow and ice and mirth, Place on your hand a turquoise blue; Success will bless whate’er you do. Featured image credit: Turquoise ring by Mauro Cateb via Wikimedia Commons. Learn what gemstone dispersion means, what causes it, and how it relates to other optical effects. See what’s inside…, • Discover the 17 practical steps to gemstone identification (even if you’re just getting started with gemology), • Learn how you can use specific tools to gather data, make observations & arrive at an accurate ID. Onyx is a banded chalcedony of black and white, though black is the December stone’s most popular color. The correct question would in fact be, what are the birthstones for December? Turquoise is traditionally the birthstone for December, and remains the December birthstone in modern gemology. The December Birthstone is Turquoise The traditional birthstone for December is brilliant blue Turquoise and the December birthstone color is blue. Diamonds were a girl's best friend long before Marilyn Monroe told us so.   |   Turquoise. Amethyst is crystalline quartz in colors ranging from pale lilac to deep reddish purple. All rights reserved. Hardness: 7.5-8 While zircon occurs in a rainbow of colors, the variety of the transparent gemstone most popularly accepted as the December stone is the blue zircon. Crystallography: Hexagonal He writes a novel after breakfast, rewrites another novel after lunch, and drafts nonfiction after dinner. Hardness: 6.5-7.5 Explore a range of gemological tests… not only will you get familiar with the process but also time-saving shortcuts. Color: Colorless, gray, shades of yellow, brown, pink, green, orange, lavender, blue, black; rarely red. It’s not a single species but rather consists of several species and varieties. In earlier times, garnets were exchanged as gifts between friends to demonstrate their affection for each other and to ensure that they meet again. The garnet family is one of the most complex in the gem world. Always green in color but with considerable variations, a peridot’s particular shade depends on its source. The aragonite in the nacre of a pearl is orthorhombic, with minute crystals radially oriented and a concentric structure. Gregorian Birthstone Poem. Ruby is both the modern and traditional birthstone for July. In 2016, the American Gem Trade Association and Jewelers of America added spinel as an additional birthstone for August. As a species, opal is so unique its patterns have their own descriptive vocabulary. Emerald has been synonymous with the color green since ancient times. Readily available and moderately priced, the March birthstone makes an excellent jewelry stone. Although garnet is commonly associated with the color red, these gemstones can be found in almost any color and are popular choices for jewelry of all types. Major Sources: South Africa, India, Brazil, Venezuela, Russia, Australia, and the United States. These tools may not be suitable for gem identification. Coupon: XMASMINI2020. February Birthstone - Amethyst. Ancient shamans looked to this gem as a talisman of protection, prosperity, and luck. From the fiery … Beware of cheap “no name” refractometers (and their distributors). Read more Gregorian Birthstone Poems. The garnet family is one of the most complex in the gem world. Diamond is the most popular ring stone choice in the world. It has a relatively high hardness of 7, which means it’s very scratch resistant. Named after the color of seawater, aquamarine is the blue to blue-green member of the beryl family. Although garnet is commonly associated with the color red, these gemstones can be found in almost any color and are popular choices for jewelry of all types. The color purple has always been … Topaz is the traditional November birthstone. The February birthstone makes a fine gem for any kind of jewelry. Opals are in a class by themselves. Even though topaz has a greater hardness (8) than citrine, citrine still makes a more durable ring stone. Its pure blue colors and excellent durability make it an exceptional gemstone. You’ll usually find peridot listed as the modern August birthstone. Trapezohedron and dodecahedron forms are common. The December birthstone color is rather obvious. December Birthstones December birthstones provide a vast choice of gems: Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite as December birthstones, Beryl as month birth rock, Sapphire as special apostle birthstone for December, Emerald and Chalcedony as Sagittarius and Capricorn astral birth gems. In 1912, the National Association of Jewelers released a list of so-called “modern birthstones.” The modern list differed somewhat from the traditional, most notably by including only transparent gems. Before the 20th century, all yellow gemstones were called topazes. Both tourmalines and opals have their aficionados, but opals just edge past them in popularity. The birthstones for December 22th are Tanzanite and Andesine. The American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite as a December birthstone in 2002. The December gemstone is believed to enhance emotional balance and prevent depression. 50% off premium videos! Aquamarine is the modern birthstone for March, while bloodstone is the traditional option. Tanzanite is a modern birthstone for December, having been added as America’s December birthstone only in 2002, while already recognized as December gemstone in Britain by the time. However, most pearls on the market today are cultivated or cultured, since they now occur extremely rarely in nature. However, not all sapphires are blue. Join our mailing list below to download a FREE gem ID checklist tutorial. The December stone is believed to strengthen the mind and bestow courage. Topaz, in order to be made December stone, was specified to be blue. Blue zircon is the most popular modern December birthstone. Britain's National Association of Goldsmiths created their own standardized list of birthstones in 1937. A beautiful rich colored gem. This gemstone for December is believed to heighten awareness, expand perspective, and free a person of negativity. See also Lapis Lazuli: Stone of Purity. What is the December birthstone meaning? Hayasaka Yoshino is a stone healer that usually works in Tokyo area, Japan. Pearl is the traditional birthstone. gem ID checklist tutorial. (And there are also many different types of alternative birthstone lists to choose from). The January Birthstone is Garnet. The December stone is a transparent gemstone ranging in color from blue to purple. The modern August birthstone, peridot has been prized as a jewelry stone since ancient times. It has greater resistance to breaking than topaz. Lapis lazuli is an opaque deep-blue gemstone mottled with yellow and white. Color: Pale lilac to deep reddish purple. Onyx is the birthstone for December in the old Tibetan calendar. January | Garnet. Before the gemstone entered these ancient calendars as December gemstone, turquoise was a zodiac stone for Sagittarius, which falls partly on the month of December. Lapis lazuli is traditionally a birthstone for December. © Topaz is the birthstone for December in the Hindu calendar, and is also listed as modern December birthstone in the West, though there the gemstone’s variety specifically designated to be birthstone of December is the blue topaz. Lapis Lazuli. Rhodizite is tough enough to make an excellent jewelry stone. Eastern Traditions Hardness: 2.5-4.5 Crystallography: Hexagonal. This birthstone of December is a grounding stone believed to protect its wearer from negativity. These gemstones range from the oldest on Earth to one of the first mined and used in jewelry, to one of the most recently discovered. One of the most popular traditional jewelry stones, ruby is exceptionally durable. April: Diamond. Color: Reddish brown, yellow, gray, green, red; various other colors (including blue) induced by heating. These stories pay tribute to…, The epidote mineral supergroup contains many related species of interest to collectors. To this day, jewelers continue to add options to the modern birthstone chart. The January birthstone, garnet, is thought to keep the wearer safe during travel. The December gemstone is believed to enhance courage as well as physical strength. Their Pharaohs proudly adorned themselves with the gem as a form of protection, even in the afterlife. Garnet is thought to bring friendship, loyalty and sincerity to the wearer, and the stone is said to have the power to ensure good health and protection during travel. Learn more. Bright blue turquoise is the most preferred color. • Explore a range of gemological tests… not only will you get familiar with the process but also time-saving shortcuts! However, aquamarine is more well-known to consumers today and appears more frequently in jewelry. More than any other gem, each opal is distinctly individual. However, spinel is another modern option. Tourmaline is the modern birthstone for October. Crystallography: Hexagonal However, epidote itself is the one most likely to be faceted…. A fine emerald is a truly breathtaking sight, and this member of the beryl family deserves its placement among the traditional “Big Four” gems, along with diamond, ruby, and sapphire. IGS may receive customer referral fees from the companies listed in this page. Garnet is also thought to regulate the heart and blood flow and aid in curing depression. Zircon was traditionally the birthstone for December, and remains the December birthstone in modern U.S. gemology, after the gemstone replaced lapis lazuli in 1952. Garnet, the birthstone of January, is mined in a rainbow of colors. May show color zoning. This December birthstone is also the zodiac stone for Capricorn, as well as the zodiac sign’s talismanic stone. This December birthstone is also … Emerald is both the modern and traditional birthstone for May. Blue Topaz is a cool, crisp blue, making it the perfect choice as a December birthstone. Thus, some traditional stones remain popular. Its colors — always red — can reach vivid levels of saturation. However, this modern June birthstone is so rare and expensive few people have even seen a natural alexandrite. Major Sources: Brazil, India, Madagascar, and the United States. That’s excellent news if you’re in the market for the January birthstone. Cube and octahedron forms extremely rare. Sardonyx is the traditional August birthstone. DECEMBER BIRTHSTONES The winter blues have nothing on December’s birthstones: tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. The December stone is believed to relieve mental tension and increase luck. Sources: Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Cambodia, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Afghanistan, Nepal, and Vietnam. Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist! Presumably, this made it easier for jewelers to create “mother’s rings,” which feature the birthstones of a woman’s children, in a manner more suited to modern tastes. Color: Colorless, white, gray, blue, blue-green, green, violet, purple, orange, yellow, yellow-green, brown, golden amber, peachy pink, pink, black. Kurnakovite is difficult to cut, inadvisable to wear, and usually colorless. We’ll note which stones are the most popular options by month. Few gems have held our attention over millennia as well as sapphire. Consequently, faceted specimens are extremely rare. Also those stones are pretty inexpensive so anyone should be able to purchase jewelry made from them. Shop birthstone jewellery at Peoples Jewellers. So, if you want that pearl, turquoise, diamond, and emerald mother’s ring, go for it. Crystals prismatic, pyramidal; often twinned; rounded pebbles. Sapphire is both the modern and traditional birthstone for September. This stone for December itself is a relatively recent discovery, having been found only in 1967 in Tanzania, hence the name tanzanite. Turquoise is an exquisite blue-green gemstone and one of the oldest and tried and tested stones for charms and talismans since ancient times. Crystallography: Amorphous. Color: Colorless, white, yellow, orange, and red (various shades), yellowish brown, greenish, blue, gray, black, violet. This December birthstone is a variety of chalcedony ranging in color from apple green to deep green. Color: Yellow to red-orange, also deep orange and orangey brown. Yoshino is also famous as a fortune teller and seen over 10,000 people. The September birthstone comes in many colors. Bloodstone, also known as heliotrope, is a traditional birthstone for December from as far back as the 15th century. The birthstones for December 4th are Tanzanite and Kyanite. After extensive research on birthstones, I realized that the true December birthstone is unknown to most people. Color: All varieties of red, from pinkish, purplish, orangey, brownish, to dark red. However, no matter which gem you pick, the generally accepted December birthstone color is light blue. Here we explore the nine types of December birthstone. This December birthstone is also the planetary stone of Capricorn, which falls partly on the month of December. January Birthstone - Garnet. Hardness: 9 Sources: Egypt, Myanmar, the United States, Norway, Mexico, Sri Lanka, Kenya, and Australia. Faceted specimens are extremely rare and usually…. This gemstone for December is a rare opaque stone that occurs in colors ranging from blue to green. There are overall 9 birthstones of December, the twelfth and last month of the year. See also The Black Onyx: Stone of Power. Still, blue is the color of December birthstone widely accepted in modern gemology. Hardness: 10 The gemstone was an ancient birthstone of December from as far back as the old Polish and Russian calendar. Other birthstones that are associated with December are turquoise and tanzanite, also brilliant shades of the December birthstone colour of blue. It is followed by zircon and turquoise being the most affordable and rarely purchased for more than $100. Ruby is the ancient birthstone for December in the old Arabic, Hebrew, Italian, Roman and Indian (Ayurvedic) calendar. This birthstone of December is the red variety of corundum, which would otherwise be called sapphire in another color. Color: Blue to blue-green. How much do you know all the different December birthstones? Hardness: 9 As the birthstone for January, the warm, blood-red garnet stands in contrast to this cold month. Sources: Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Australia, Myanmar, Thailand, and the United States. Major Sources: Brazil, Bolivia, Uruguay, and Zambia. See what’s inside…. While there are a number of birthstones associated with December, the official gemstone for December is blue topaz. This December birthstone is a green variety of chalcedony sprinkled with red inclusions, commonly red jasper. Rarer varieties can be lighter red and nearly any other color. But turquoise and zircon can be difficult to find in fine jewelry, so the new and popular tanzanite was added to the official birthstone list of the American Gem Trade Association in 2002 as an additional birthstone for December. Crystallography: Amorphous. This gem listing will focus on qualities common to all garnetsand … Opals are also the most delicate gemstones commonly worn and require special care. There is a Gregorian calendar birthstone poem for each month in the year. Crystallography: Hexagonal (trigonal). International Gem Society LLC. The December gemstone is believed to bring peace of mind and prosperity. There are two birthstones for the month of December, turquoise and zircon. The birthstone color for December is undoubtedly blue. Chrysoprase is a birthstone for December in the old Russian calendar. Golden topaz is now a modern birthstone option. Zircon is from the Arabic words “zar” and “gun” which means “gold” and “color.” Garnet is both the modern and traditional birthstone for January. Sources: Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Madagascar, Mexico, Myanmar, Namibia, Peru, Russia, South Africa, the United States, and Zambia. Coupon: XMAS2020. That’s excellent news if you’re in the market for this January birthstone. Some traditional gems are also less expensive (like turquoise) or more readily available (like cultivated pearls) than their modern counterparts. None of the gems on this list or others is the original December gem. Recent work shows that opal is composed of an aggregate of tiny spherical particles, that is, a solidified gel; often forms concretions; botryoidal; reniform; stalactitic. Since then, gemology has recognized topaz as a distinct gem species that can actually occur in many colors. January – Garnet. Browse through his jewelry at Deomar Pandan Collections.   |   However, blue topaz and tanzanite are also modern options. See also Bloodstone: Stone of Freedom. Which one is for you? Pearls are the only gems found within living creatures, both salt and freshwater mollusks. This transparent stone for December is a silicate mineral of aluminum and fluorine. Sources: Occurs naturally worldwide (but rarely); most pearls are cultivated. December birthstones are always blue, and the historic gems for December birthdays are no exception. Sources: Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Australia, and Canada. Peridot is the most popular of these gems. Ready to learn how to identify gems on your own? Hardness: 6-7.5 Crystallography: Orthorhombic. Crystallography: Hexagonal Privacy Policy Major Sources: Colombia, Brazil, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, and Nigeria. All of them have beautiful shades of blue. The list of traditional or ancient birthstones most well-known in the United States actually originated in Poland between the 16th and 18th centuries. While pearls require special care, they have an enduring appeal for jewelry, particularly as the traditional June birthstone. Get to know the true December stone, as well as the magical powers of all birthstones, when you read my book Power Birthstone. Alexandrite is the modern birthstone for June. Turquoise typically develops in … Diamond is both the modern and traditional birthstone for April. From January to December we have a variety of birthstone rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. (Imagine trying to create a ring with a pearl, a turquoise cabochon, and a diamond and emerald, both faceted). It is a blue to blue green to yellowish green mineral that has been used as a gemstone for thousands of years. Opal is the traditional birthstone. The orient is the color seen as reflected by a diffuse light source.   |   No other gem comes in as many colors, including multi-colors, as tourmaline, the modern October birthstone. Learn how to get started with the International Gem Society’s guide to gemstone identification. Home » Learning Center » Gemology » Reference Charts & Materials » Birthstone Chart. There are three December birthstones; tanzanite, zircon, and turquoise. Crystals rare, usually striated prisms, corroded grains; often as rolled pebbles, or in nodules called bombs in volcanic areas. Turquoise is a modern birthstone of December that has been associated with the month for thousands of years. It’s not a single species but rather consists of several species and varieties. And get horoscope updates by Following him on Twitter or Liking him on Facebook, © 2020 Deomar Pandan, All Rights Reserved, Traditional: Bloodstone, Ruby, Zircon & Lapis Lazuli. Terms of Use Of course, there are the non-conventional birthstones for December, ruby and onyx, adds red and black to the birthstone colors for December, along with green, the color of chrysoprase and often turquoise. Cultivated pearls are far more attainable than. There are in fact three official December birthstones - Turquoise, Tanzanite and Blue Zircon, with Blue … Hardness: 7.5-8 Both topaz and citrine make wonderful jewelry stones, but citrine is a more popular and practical choice. The December gemstone is believed to increase both physical and spiritual strength. Citrine is the yellow to red-orange variety of crystalline quartz. Amethyst is both the modern and traditional birthstone for February. The December verse is shown below for turquoise: If cold December gave you birth, The month of snow and ice and mirth, Place on your hand a turquoise blue; Success will bless whate’er you do. The December birthstone, which happens to be one of the oldest stones known to man, was favoured by the ancient Egyptians. What is The Birthstone For December? Before the gemstone landed on these ancient calendars as December birthstone, ruby was the zodiac stone for Capricorn, which falls partly on the month of December. In the United States today, people draw freely from both lists and pick the stones that appeal to them. Since, Free Engraving on Birthstone Jewelry, Insured Shipping & Lifetime Warranty, Choosing a Ring Style, Setting, and Metal, garnet is commonly associated with the color red, blue is such a popular color for gemstones, Discover the 17 practical steps to gemstone identification (even if you’re just getting started with gemology), Learn how you can use specific tools to gather data, make observations & arrive at an accurate ID. What is the birthstone for December? Color: All varieties of green. January Birthstone -Garnet. Lapis Lazuli is blue, while chrysoprase is very near blue. Learn … May have color zoning. Crystallography: Tetragonal. Crystallography: Isometric; Crystals sometimes sharp octahedra, dodecahedra, and combinations with other forms. Deomar Pandan is the author of POWER BIRTHSTONE. All three of December’s birthstones are best known for their beautiful shades of blue. The rest of the color is due to the body color. If you're … Among the 3 December birthstones, Tanzanite is the most expensive, due to its rarity. Hardness: 7 Read our review…, Bench jewelers work very hard with little or no acknowledgement, creating and repairing treasured possessions. Author Hayasaka Yoshino. Some of these color combinations are incredible. Tanzanite, the newest birthstone for December, can also be blue. For example, spinel, citrine, and tanzanite are recent additions to the modern list. The dark red Garnet is believed to protect from harm and promote good … Persons born in December as Sagittarius and Capricorn can chose from many interesting December birthstones – Tanzanite, Turquoise and Zircon. These gems are prized for their classic beauty and clarity, and diamond jewelry has become a status symbol. Turquoise and lapis lazuli are the traditional birthstones. The Cost of December Birthstones. Meaning: spiritual protection. "Fortune-telling counseling", which finds out the best gemstone for the client, received a high reputation. Crystals common, often barrel-shaped, prisms with flat ends, sometimes bipyramidal; also massive, granular, in rolled pebbles. However, it’s quite a rare mineral. It is most often set into sterling silver jewelry. Fine-quality rubies are some of the most expensive gemstones, with record prices over $1,000,000 per carat. For instance, a 3-carat oval turquoise can be purchased at $50. However, citrine is a more affordable modern option. Tanzanite is named after the East African state of Tanzania, where it was first found. Hardness: 6.5-7 Color: Mostly red or deep red. Turquoise was also a symbol of wealth, prosperity, and abundance in many ancient societies. 2020 Crystallography: Hexagonal. About & History Lapis lazuli was a modern birthstone of December in the United States of America until February of 2013, when the American Gem Trade Association replaced the gemstone with zircon as December stone. Color: Deep to medium green, blueish green. Hardness: 7 It also is beneficial for those born under Sagittarius, one of the Zodiac signs of December. Clever marketing and the rise of “earth tone” fashions have made this durable and readily available gem a popular modern birthstone in recent years. Of the two stones, turquoise is the more common birthstone for this month. 50% off annual memberships! Sources: Australia, Brazil, Czech Republic, Ethiopia, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Tanzania, and the United States. … Join our weekly newsletter & get a free copy of the Gem ID Checklist! What color is December birthstone? “Emerald by day, ruby by night,” alexandrite is well-known for displaying one of the most remarkable color changes in the gem world — green in sunlight and red in incandescent light. Crystallography: Isometric. Lapis lazuli is traditionally a birthstone for December. Major Sources: Brazil, Madagascar, the United States, Australia, India, Namibia, and Nigeria. Accessibility Statement, Join our mailing list below to download a