December Birthstone: Turquoise, Zircon, Tanzanite, and Blue Topaz Explained (2026)

If you were told December only has one birthstone, you were told an outdated version of the story. Depending on which list you check, the month is tied to two, three, or four different gemstones — and each one looks, wears, and costs differently enough that the choice actually matters. Here's what's official, what's marketing, and which stone fits your ring or necklace.

What Is the December Birthstone?

December's three official birthstones are turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite. Turquoise is the traditional December stone and has held that spot for over a century; zircon has been paired with it for nearly as long; tanzanite is the newest addition, added by the American Gem Trade Association in 2002 to give the month a faceted, jewel-toned option alongside turquoise's opaque matte finish. All three read blue-to-blue-violet, which is why December is often called "the blue birthstone month" even though it technically has three stones, not one.

Why Does December Have Three Birthstones (Not Just One)?

December has three birthstones because the modern birthstone list isn't fixed — it's been revised as new gem sources and cutting techniques became available. Turquoise anchored the month from the earliest modern birthstone charts, prized for millennia by Persian, Egyptian, and Native American jewelers for its color alone, no faceting required. Zircon was added later as a faceted, more affordable alternative that still read blue. Tanzanite, found only near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania and discovered in 1967, was added in 2002 specifically to give shoppers a deeper-violet, higher-clarity stone the earlier two options didn't offer.

Is Blue Topaz a December Birthstone Too?

Blue topaz is not on the official December birthstone list, but many jewelers and gift guides include it as a fourth, budget-conscious option because it shares the month's blue color story at a lower price than tanzanite. This is why searches turn up conflicting answers of "3" or "4" birthstones for December — the confusion is real, not a myth. If you're shopping by the official list (turquoise, zircon, tanzanite), blue topaz is an extra, not a replacement.

Turquoise vs Zircon vs Tanzanite vs Blue Topaz: Full Comparison

Turquoise is the softest and least expensive, blue topaz is the hardest and most scratch-resistant, and zircon and tanzanite sit in between with more sparkle than turquoise but less durability than topaz. Use the table below to match a stone to how you'll actually wear it.

What Do December's Birthstones Mean?

December's birthstones are traditionally associated with protection and calm — turquoise as a protective talisman, tanzanite for transformation and clarity, and zircon for peace of mind. These meanings come from centuries of folklore rather than any single documented source, so treat them as symbolic tradition, not fact, when picking a gift.

How to Care for Turquoise, Zircon, and Tanzanite Jewelry

Turquoise and tanzanite both need gentler care than most gemstones because they're more porous or fracture-prone than harder stones like topaz. Wipe turquoise with a soft, dry cloth and keep it away from lotions, perfume, and cleaning products, which can seep into its porous surface and dull the color. Store tanzanite separately from harder stones that could scratch it, and avoid sudden hot-to-cold temperature changes, which can stress its internal structure. Zircon's facet edges can chip if knocked against a hard surface, so it's best kept for jewelry you take on and off rather than wear all day. None of the four should go in an ultrasonic cleaner unless a jeweler confirms the specific stone can handle it — when in doubt, hand-wash with mild soap and a soft cloth.

Which December Birthstone Should You Choose?

Choose turquoise if you want the most traditional, most affordable December birthstone with the most history behind it; choose zircon if you want faceted sparkle at a similar price point; save tanzanite or blue topaz for when you want a deeper color statement or extra everyday durability. AJLuxe's December Birthstone Necklace — Turquoise Blue Infinity Pendant, 925 Sterling Silver ($59.99) covers the classic choice in hypoallergenic 925 sterling silver with 18K gold plating, gift-boxed and ready to wrap. If you'd rather have facet sparkle for less, the Zircon Birthstone Necklace, 925 Sterling Silver ($27.99) is the practical upgrade in the same metal. Both are backed by the same hypoallergenic 925 sterling silver AJLuxe has built 40,000+ customers on, so the only real decision left is which color and cut suits the person you're buying for.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the real birthstone for December?

The real, official December birthstones are turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite — turquoise is the oldest and most traditional of the three. There isn't a single "most real" one; all three appear on the modern birthstone list maintained by Jewelers of America and the American Gem Trade Association.

Why are there 4 birthstones in December?

Some jewelers and gift guides count blue topaz as a fourth December birthstone alongside turquoise, zircon, and tanzanite because it shares the same blue color family at a lower, more durable price point. Blue topaz isn't on the official three-stone list, which is why some sources say three and others say four.

Why are there three birthstones for December?

December has three official birthstones because tanzanite was added in 2002 to the traditional pairing of turquoise and zircon that had represented the month for decades before that. Each addition gave shoppers a different combination of color, price, and durability rather than replacing the stone before it.

Is December blue topaz or turquoise?

December's official, traditional birthstone is turquoise, not blue topaz — blue topaz is a popular unofficial alternative some retailers add to the list. If you want the historically accurate December stone, turquoise is the correct choice; if you want a harder, more scratch-resistant blue stone, blue topaz is the practical substitute.

Is tanzanite more expensive than turquoise?

Yes, tanzanite is generally more expensive than turquoise because it's a faceted, transparent gemstone found in only one location on Earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, while turquoise is more widely mined and sold as an opaque cabochon. That price gap is also why turquoise remains the more common everyday December birthstone choice.

Source: GIA (Gemological Institute of America).