Quick Answer
No, the December birthstone is not a sapphire. The December birthstone is turquoise.
What is the December birthstone?
The December birthstone is turquoise. Turquoise is a blue-green mineral that has been used in jewelry and ornamentations for thousands of years. Some key facts about the December birthstone:
| Birthstone for December | Turquoise |
| Color | Blue-green |
| Hardness | 5-6 on the Mohs scale |
| Chemical composition | Hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum |
| Locations mined | Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, Southwestern United States |
So the December birthstone is unambiguously turquoise, a distinct mineral that is readily identifiable by its iconic blue-green color.
What is the history and lore of the December birthstone?
Turquoise has been treasured for thousands of years, used by ancient peoples around the world. Some key facts about the history and lore of this December birthstone:
– One of the oldest known gem materials, used by ancient Egyptians, Aztecs, Persians, Chinese, and Native Americans
– Often carved into jewelry, beads, and ornamental objects
– Used to decorate ceremonial and religious objects
– Believed to have powers of healing, protection, and luck
– Often engraved with protective symbols and images
– Green hue associated with fertility, life, and rebirth
– Blue tones connected to sky, water, and steadfastness
– Valued as a holy stone, thought to unite heaven and earth
– December birthstone for zodiac signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn
– Symbolic of wisdom, peace, and friendship
Turquoise has long been prized across many cultures for its distinctive color and purported metaphysical properties. The December birthstone continues to be popular in jewelry and spiritual stones today.
What are the properties of the December birthstone?
Turquoise has a unique set of physical and chemical properties that make it suitable for use in jewelry:
Color: Varies from sky blue to blue-green, sometimes with matrix veining in shades of brown/black
Clarity: Opaque with a waxy to dull luster
Hardness: 5-6 on the Mohs hardness scale, softer gemstone but acceptable for jewelry
Composition: Hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum
Crystal system: Triclinic
Refractive index: 1.610–1.650
Specific gravity: 2.60–2.90
Treatments: Dyeing, waxing, stabilization, reconstitution, and imitation
Sources: Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, Southwestern United States
The softness of turquoise makes it challenging to cut into faceted gemstones. It is more often cut into cabochons or used in its natural form in beaded or free-form jewelry. The striking color and matrix patterns make for distinctive jewelry.
What jewelry uses the December birthstone?
As a softer gemstone, turquoise is popularly set in the following jewelry styles:
– Pendants – Turquoise cabochons are often wire-wrapped or bezel set into silver pendants.
– Beads – Durability issues make turquoise ideal for stringing beads. Turquoise beads are common in necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
– Rings – Rings will often feature turquoise cabochons surrounded by protective metalwork. The stone can also be inset as an accent along with harder gems.
– Earrings – Turquoise is used both in dangling earrings and simple studs, usually bezel set.
– Bangles & Cuffs – Hammered metals like silver pair nicely with southwestern-styled turquoise bracelets.
– Brooches & Hair Pins – Turquoise’s striking hue has made it ideal for incorporating into brooches, hair pins, and other ornamental adornments throughout history.
– Turquoise & Silver – The blue and green tones of turquoise beautifully complement sterling silver, a common combination in Native American and Southwestern jewelry.
From chunky statement pieces to delicate accents, turquoise is a versatile December birthstone for jewelry designs.
How can you identify a turquoise gemstone?
There are a few key properties that can help identify genuine turquoise and distinguish natural stones from treated ones:
– Color – Natural turquoise ranges from sky blue to greenish blue. Artificially colored stones often appear too vividly blue or green.
– Matrix – Natural veining or spotting in black, brown, or gray indicates natural turquoise matrix. Uniform coloration suggests a treated stone.
– Surface – Natural turquoise has a slightly porous, waxy surface. Synthetic or reconstituted stones often appear too smooth or non-porous.
– Density – Real turquoise will feel heavier than plastic or glass imitations. Natural stones also show greater density around veins.
– Inclusions – Under magnification, natural turquoise exhibits tiny black, brown, or sand-colored inclusions formed during geological processes.
– Fluorescence – Natural turquoise is inert under UV light while synthetics may show unnatural fluorescence.
– Tests – Advanced lab testing can identify treatments and imitation stones through chemical composition analysis and spectrometry.
With close inspection of color, pattern, surface quality, density, inclusions, and other properties, a turquoise gemstone can be authenticated.
What are some alternatives to the December birthstone?
While turquoise is the traditional and modern December birthstone, other gemstones associated with Sagittarius and Capricorn can make fine alternatives:
– Tanzanite – A vivid violet-blue gemstone that represents vision, intuition, and perception.
– Blue Topaz – A cooling blue gem said to enhance leadership, wisdom, and articulation.
– Lapis Lazuli – A deep blue stone signifying honor, wisdom, and truth.
– Blue Zircon – An affordable blue stone representing virtue, chastity, and discipline.
– Chrysocolla – A blue-green mineral related to turquoise used in meditation.
– Sodalite – An intense blue mineral associated with logic, efficiency, and clear thought.
– Iolite – A violet-blue gemstone believed to build confidence and strengthen leadership ability.
– Labradorite – A spectral blue-green stone enhancing spiritual perception and insight.
December birthday celebrants have many options beyond turquoise to pick a meaningful birthstone reflecting their qualities and aspirations. Less common blue and blue-green gems offer unique alternatives to the traditional choice.
Conclusion
In summary, the December birthstone is turquoise, a blue-green mineral that has decorated kings and warriors across many ancient cultures. Revered as a spiritual stone uniting heaven and earth, turquoise represents wisdom, protection, and friendship. This opaque gem’s softness lends itself to cabochon cuts and rugged jewelry like pendants and beads. Natural turquoise exhibits distinctive veining patterns and a waxy surface sheen. While turquoise has graced December birthday jewelry for ages, alternative blue gems like tanzanite and lapis lazuli can make personal birthstone choices. The vivid turquoise remains the traditional and affordable December birthstone loved for its striking blue-green beauty.
