December Birthstones

(408 Words)
The last month of the year has three stones that have been designated as its birthstone, according to the American Gem Society. They are all available as blue stones and include tanzanite, zircon and turquoise. All appear in jewelry to represent babies born in December.
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is one of the youngest gemstones. It was found in its namesake, Tanzania, in the 1960s. It is mined exclusively in this small area, which makes it very rare and valuable.
Tanzanite is typically seen a blue-purple color. Some samples look more blue whereas others appear more purple. Sometimes it is treated with heat to deepen the color.
The most expensive pieces of tanzanite boast a medium dark tone, are vivid and are just a little violet blue. When it was first found, people thought that it could be a substitute for the far more expensive sapphire, however it has achieved a popularity on its own appearance.
Zircon
Zircon comes in many different colors, including blue. Its most valuable hue is red and it can also be seen in yellow, green, brown, orange, and colorless. It has been used in the past as a replica for diamonds, but it is not related to the similarly named cubic zirconia, which is not a genuine gemstone but instead a synthetic material.
The word zircon comes from zar, which means gold, and gun, which means color, in Arabic. In the past, zircon was considered to have many gifts including the ability to sooth aches, make one hungry, provide protection to travelers, grant a good welcome and aid in sleep. It is found in the south of Vietnam, the Palin part of Cambodia and Thailand.
Turquoise
Turquoise is an extremely popular stone that came in the 1200s. It was named after the French words Pierre tourques, which means Turkish stone. It typically appears blue, and may have shades of green in it. It also ranges from opaque to translucent.
Because turquoise is in large supply, it is a reasonably-priced stone and can be found in large stones in many pieces of jewelry. It is often made into bead form as well as cabochons and inlays. The American southwest uses it in a great deal of jewelry and other items.
If you wish to wear gemstone jewelry depicting December, you will have your choice of tanzanite, zircon and turquoise. Look at the different options in the store, and pick out the pieces that suit you best.