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. Which one is for you?
A magnificent necklace set with a blue sapphire - December special apostle birthstone
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Introduction to December birthstones
How to decide, which birthstone is for you? Well, it may be the gem that reflects your personality, it may be the birthstone that you feel most connected to, it may be the birth gem that you like the most or that suits you better, or it may be all of them. In other words, it’s totally up to you!
Humans were always intrigued about possessing a gemstone that is more than just a gem set in a ring or a necklace. A rock with spiritual and mental connection, something close to our heart and soul - a birthstone.
Most birthstone list versions are are based on Aaron's breastplate gemstones or the gems from the foundation of New Jerusalem from the bible and are arranged as birthstones by month. I have picked the 4 most applicable in my opinion lists of birthstones: by birth month, guardian angel birthstones, by zodiac sign, and special apostle birthstones list.
“When December comes, can ‘The Nutcracker’ be far behind? No, it can’t – not in America, anyway.” – wrote Robert Gottlieb, an American writer and editor. December is the last month of the year, and of course Christmas is celebrated this month! National pastry, brownie, maple syrup and hamburger days are also in December! In this month prohibition came to an end, Gone With The Wind premiered, and the 1st commercial flight in the US happened. Celebrities like Walt Disney, Frank Sinatra, Britney Spears, Jay-Z, Billie Eilish and Nicki Minaj were born in December.
Guardian angel responsible for December is Humiel or Khamael according to a different spelling. He is known as one of the ten Kabbalah angels. Humiel is believed to be in charge of dignity, innocence and persistence. Humiel’s birthstone is Beryl.
Paul is the special apostle for the month of December who is also known by his Hebrew name Saul of Tarsus. St Paul is one of the main apostles in Christianity and is a patron of theologians, evangelists and missionaries. His birthstone is Sapphire.
2 zodiac signs are attributed to December - Sagittarius and Capricorn. Both signs contribute to the list of December birthstones.
Turquoise
December birthstone - birthdays between December 1 and 31
Turquoise was also called turkis and turkeystone. This birthstone was found in Persia and along the Sinai Peninsula, and was getting to Europe through gem markets of Constantinople, Turkey hence the gemstone name.
Gold Turquoise & Diamond Evil Eye Necklace
From the earliest times turquoise was a favored gem for amulets as it was relatively easy to cut it into different shapes and make inscriptions on it. This birth gem was considered to have the protection powers against danger and was expected to bring good fortune. Turquoise was prized by lovers and married couples as a gemstone protecting their relationships. The gem was meant to preserve friendship if presented as a gift. It was believed that turquoise could warn its wearer of approaching illness or danger by becoming pale.
Tibetans considered turquoise a birthstone of fortune, health, and success. This gem was often used as a currency in Tibet. Ancient Incas and Mayas offered turquoise as a gift for gods. Native Americans of the Southwest associated this gemstone with youth and strength. If it was combined with golds, turquoise was thought to be symbolic of vitality and longevity. Hindu mystics held that someone held turquoise in hand at the time of the new moon, they were destined to enjoy wealth.
Zircon
Zircon
Birthstone for December - birthdays between December 1 and 31
Zircon comes closest to diamond in its radiance. The name zircon is of Arabic language origin meaning ‘jewel’. In Sanskrit this birthstone is called ‘rahuratna’ or tone of the Nodes of the Moon who are also called he dragons of Solar and Lunar eclipses.
This birthstone comes in a variety of colors some of which have specific names. Colorless diamond-like zircon is called jargoon, and the orange-red variety of this birth gem is called jacinth or hyacinth.
Jargoon or jargon is a French word which is derived from Italian word ‘giacone’. Jargoo zircon has a lot in common with diamond, though it is much softer. Colorless zircons from a region in Sri Lanka are even called ‘Maturan Diamond’.
Physicians of the Middle Ages wore this birthstone on their left fingers as they believed it helped them to establish correct diagnosis.
From ancient times zircons were considered the birthstones to counteract evil spirits. It was used as an amulet against Black Death plague in Europe. In India it was believed that zircon had greater potency if set in gold.
Australia and South Africa produce about 70% of world zircon gemstones. It is also found in Sri Lanka, India and other places
Tanzanite
Tanzanite
December birthstone - birthdays between December 1 to December 31
Tanzanite is a birthstone added to the list very recently. The gemstone was discovered in 1967 in Tanzania and named after the country of discovery by Tiffany and Co. Tanzanite is a very beautiful stone can cost anywhere between $400 to $1500 per carat or even more.
The birthstone can appear blue, violet, or burgundy depending on how you rotate it. Tanzanite appears violet under standard artificial light, or blue under fluorescent light commonly used in the offices.
Magnificent Gold Tanzanite & Diamond Bracelet
The rough stones are commonly heated in order to remove brown-burgundy hues out of them, and after that process Tanzanites display only blue and violet colors.
Because Tanzanite is such a unique and rare gemstone (found only in one small region of Tanzania), it is very popular among celebrities.
Anne Hathaway, Cate Blanchett, Sarah Jessica Parker were photographed wearing tanzanite jewelry. Apparently, Jay Z presented his wife Beyonce a tanzanite ring to celebrate the birth of their daughter Blue Ivy.
Beryl
Beryl
Guardian angel December birth rock - birth dates between December 1 and 31
On the image above Solid Gold Natural Morganite Beryl Studs by MARYJOHN
In Scotland beryls were part of national regalia and their usage as talismans and amulets dates back to druids. Sir Walter Scott, a famous Scottish poet and historian of the 19th century, wrote that even in his time beryls were referred to as ‘stones of power’ by the Scottish Highlanders.
In ancient times, a frog engraved on beryl was thought to have the magical powers to reconcile enemies and help make friends. Beryl was widely accepted as a symbol of undying youth. Dreams of this gem meant happy news to come.
Sapphire
Sapphire
Special apostle birthstone for December - those born on December 1 to December 31
Sapphire and Diamond pendants shaped as dolphins
From a very long time ago, sapphire was regarded as a gemstone of divine and beautiful thoughts, and was used as a protection from devil and evil forces.
Ancient Hebrews believed sapphire was a gem of wisdom. It was the stone of Joseph the Wise who was famous for resisting temptations. Some also believe that sapphire was set in the ring of King Solomon himself, and Queen of Sheba sang in a Song of Songs to him mentioning this gem. One of the sapphires was in the holy of holies and was a special talisman for the Jewish people. This gem was hidden when Roman Emperor Titus conquered Jerusalem.
Emerald
Emerald
Sagittarius celestial birth gem - those born on December 1 to December 21
Some astrologists believe that when zodiac signs ascend and descend they share the similar virtues with preceding and succeeding signs, and therefore it may be acceptable for Capricorns born on December 22, 23 and 24 to use emerald as their zodiacal birthstone as well.
Emerald and diamonds earrings
Emerald is a green and very important variety of beryl. Beryl is very rare in earth crust making emeralds rare and valuable, moreover emeralds without imperfections are seldom found. The gemstone comes in green hues.
Babylonian story hero Gilgames by the gates of the Ocean saw a beautiful magical tree that had most precious emeralds as fruit. Hathor, and Egytian Venus, was also represented on earth by the tree which was called ‘Sycamore of the Emerald’. The gem was accepted as a love stone as it was closely associated with Venus. It was regarded as especially fortunate for ladies bringing safe childbirth, happiness in love and comfort in the family.
Chalcedony
Chalcedony
Capricorn zodiacal birth rock - birthdays from December 22 to December 31
Some astrologists think that for start and end dates zodiacal signs share common virtues of the preceding or following sign meaning that for Sagittarius with birthdays on December 19, 20 and 21 it may be appropriate to have Chalcedony as their birth gem too.
On the picture above you can see magnificent Aqua Chalcedony Ear Climber Earrings by MarisiaJewelry
Chalcedony is a micro-crystalline opaque or non-transparent stone created with a combination of quartz and morganite. This birthstone was known from ancient times and was mentioned in the bible and other notable books. Agate, onyx, jasper, and carnelian are all varieties of chalcedony.
Chalcedony with white and grey bands was referred to as chalcedonyx. The blue variety of chalcedony was called sapphirine in ancient times and was commonly confused with sapphire. In Persia sapphirine was associated with monarchy, especially with kings Darius and Artaxerxes, and was used as a signet, personal seal made of gemstones.