December Birthstone Turquoise
December's birthstone, Turquoise, is a blue-green gem that looks like clear sky and sea blended together. Along with its alternate stone, Tanzanite, it suits December — a month for wrapping up the year and wishing for fresh energy.
Gem color
Refreshing blue-green sky blue
Lucky color
Blue-green · sky blue
Zodiac sign
Sagittarius, Capricorn
💎 Meaning & symbolism
Turquoise symbolizes 'luck,' 'protection,' and 'friendship.' Thanks to a refreshing blue-green, it has long been loved around the world as an amulet stone that wards off misfortune and wishes for safety. A belief that it guards the safety of a journey has also been passed down for ages. Its alternate stone, Tanzanite, is a mysterious purple-tinged blue that symbolizes 'insight' and 'grace.' Both stones chime well with December, a time to tie up the year and prepare for a new start.
📜 Origin & history
Turquoise is one of the oldest gems humankind has used, and its name is said to come from having reached Europe by way of old Turkey (Türkiye). In fact its sources were places like Persia and elsewhere, but the name of the trade route stuck. A gem of deep heritage prized across many civilizations — the jewelry of ancient Egyptian pharaohs, the sacred adornments of Native Americans, the gems of the Persian royal court. Tanzanite was named after being first found in Tanzania in the mid-20th century, a gem that only fairly recently began to be loved.
✨ This birthstone's personality
Picture a December-born person as a turquoise: free and lively, with a charm that puts people at ease. They carry an adventurous spirit unafraid of new places and experiences, and an affability that fits in anywhere. Dependable and cheerful to be around, they're the type who feels like a bundle of good fortune. Their honest, direct side is charming, but their words can occasionally get ahead of them, so pairing it with clear, gentle expression like turquoise itself will make that liveliness all the more loved.
💕 Love & relationships
Turquoise's love comes down to 'a free, honest relationship.' They prefer a bond where two people grow freely together rather than bind each other, so being near them gives a breathing, easy comfort. Their charm is not creating misunderstandings, thanks to honest expression. But as much as they value freedom, considering a partner's pace too will let a dependable love carry on for a long time.
🍀 Lucky energy
Turquoise symbolizes 'the energy of luck and protection.' It's a lovely amulet-like stone to carry with a wish for safety before a new challenge or a long trip. Long thought to ward off misfortune, it symbolically suits December, when you wrap up the year well and welcome the new one. Tanzanite is seen as the color of insight, making it a lovely companion when you want to look back on the past and set a new direction.
🧼 Storage & care tips
Turquoise is a soft, porous gem, so it's especially weak against water, oil, and cosmetics. Put it on last so perfume and lotion don't touch it, and wipe it lightly with a soft, dry cloth after taking it off. Soaking it long in water or ultrasonic cleaning can change its color, so both are off-limits. Even for cleaning, a dry cloth is safer than a damp one, and storing it apart from other gems to avoid knocks will keep that blue-green for a long time.
Other months' birthstones
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Birthstone lore is a fun, symbolic tradition gathered here for entertainment. It does not guarantee any healing or health benefit of the gem, so please enjoy it with a light heart.