December Birthstone
Birthstone
Turquoise
Turquoise's name derives from French 'pierre turquoise' (Turkish stone), though not actually from Turkey - it was named for being brought to Europe via Turkey. Known as 'Turkish stone' in Japanese. Considered one of humanity's oldest gemstones, mined since around 5000 BCE and used in ancient Egypt for thousands of years. With Mohs hardness 5-6, it's relatively soft and porous, requiring careful handling. Considered sacred worldwide since ancient times, especially revered by Native Americans as a sacred stone connecting heaven and earth. Legends tell of it changing color or chipping to protect the owner from approaching danger, making it valued as a travel amulet. Current major sources include Iran, USA, China, and Egypt.
Features
- Beautiful sky-blue to green-blue colors reminiscent of sky and sea
- Relatively soft and porous nature with Mohs hardness 5-6
- Unique beauty created by patterns of host rock called matrix
- Long history and cultural value as one of humanity's oldest gemstones
Personality
- Peaceful and calm personality stone bringing comfort and protection to the owner
- Gives courage and action power, enhancing motivation for new challenges
- Excellent intuition and insight with power to discern truth
Symbolic Meaning
- Guidance to success and prosperity
- Travel safety and protection from danger
- Symbol of good fortune and liberation
- Sacred power connecting heaven and earth
Reason for Selection
- Chosen as it has long been cherished as a travel safety amulet in December, the year-end and New Year travel season
- Selected as it beautifully harmonizes with winter's clear sky color, expressing December's pure seasonal feeling
- Chosen as a stone of success suitable for December when hoping for success in the new year
Protection & Effects
- Protects from accidents and dangers during travel, ensuring safe journeys
- Guards mind and body from evil energy and malice
- Protects eye health and prevents vision deterioration
- Guards the mind from mental stress and anxiety, maintaining tranquility
Trials & Growth
- Trial of having courage to step into unknown paths and new environments
- Trial of maintaining composure and making correct judgments even in difficult situations
- Trial of selfless love nurturing compassion and protective care for others
Gallery
Tanzanite
Tanzanite is a relatively new gemstone discovered in 1967 in the Merelani region of northern Tanzania. Originally called 'blue zoisite,' it was renamed 'tanzanite' by Tiffany & Co. after its origin, gaining explosive popularity. Known as 'gray curtain stone' or 'dark curtain stone' in Japanese. With Mohs hardness 6-7, it's somewhat soft with cleavage requiring careful handling. Its greatest feature is pleochroism, showing beautiful optical phenomena changing from blue to purple and sometimes pink from different angles. Extremely rare, found only in Tanzania worldwide and considered 1000 times rarer than diamond. Newly added to December in the 2021 birthstone revision. Generally heat-treated to develop beautiful blue-purple color.
Features
- Beautiful pleochroism changing from blue to purple to pink from different angles
- Extremely high rarity, found only in Tanzania worldwide
- Somewhat soft nature with cleavage and Mohs hardness 6-7
- Property of developing beautiful blue-purple color through heat treatment
Personality
- Noble and intellectual personality stone bringing dignity and composure to the owner
- Mystical with excellent intuition, possessing power to promote spiritual growth
- Flexible and adaptable to change, possessing nature to open new possibilities
Symbolic Meaning
- Symbol of nobility and dignity
- Composure and rational judgment
- Mystery and fantastical beauty
- Spiritual transformation and growth
Reason for Selection
- Chosen as it beautifully harmonizes with year-end's deep blue-purple night sky, expressing December's mystical seasonal feeling
- Considered suitable for December as a stone promoting introspection and spiritual growth at year's end
- Chosen as a relatively new gemstone symbolizing modern and innovative December
Protection & Effects
- Guards the mind from mental confusion and uncertainty, bringing clear thinking
- Protects from negative energy and promotes positive change
- Protects from factors that hinder intellectual and consciousness development
- Protects wealth from financial hardship and declining fortune
Trials & Growth
- Trial of mental strength to not give up despite facing gaps between high ideals and reality
- Trial of maintaining core values while adapting to changing situations
- Trial of spiritual growth sublimating knowledge and experience into true wisdom
Gallery
Lapis Lazuli
Lapis lazuli's name derives from Latin 'lapis' (stone) and Persian 'lazward' (blue), called 'ruri' in Japanese and treasured since ancient times. A rock composed of multiple minerals including lazurite, sodalite, and pyrite, with deep ultramarine blue and golden pyrite flecks resembling stars in the night sky. With Mohs hardness 5-6, it's somewhat soft. Considered one of humanity's oldest gemstones, used in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia for royal ornaments and sacred ceremonies. Also used in Tutankhamun's golden mask. Revered since ancient times as the 'stone symbolizing heaven,' believed to have power to dispel evil and guide in the right direction. Many lapis lazuli treasures are stored in Japan's Shōsō-in in Nara.
Features
- Beauty of deep ultramarine blue scattered with golden pyrite
- Unique texture as natural rock composed of multiple minerals
- Relatively soft and workable nature with Mohs hardness 5-6
- Universal beauty and value unchanged from ancient to modern times
Personality
- Sacred and dignified personality stone giving the owner power to discern truth
- Excellent wisdom and insight with power to guide correct judgment and decisions
- Protective and benevolent nature with power to guard against evil
Symbolic Meaning
- Symbol of heaven and sacredness
- Source of truth and wisdom
- Purifying power to dispel evil
- Royal authority and nobility
Reason for Selection
- Chosen as it has been considered the guardian stone of Sagittarius, December's zodiac sign, since ancient times, with deep blue expressing winter's night sky
- Considered suitable for December as a stone for facing truth at year's end and gaining wisdom for the coming year
- Selected as December's birthstone from its history of being treasured as 'ruri' in Japanese traditional culture
Protection & Effects
- Protects the mind from evil thoughts and malice, maintaining purity
- Guards the spirit from confusion and uncertainty, guiding to the right path
- Protects the power to discern truth from falsehood and deception
- Protects the soul from mental illness and darkness of the heart
Trials & Growth
- Trial of courage to accept truth and walk the right path even if painful
- Trial of wisdom to discern true value without being misled by authority or status
- Trial of spiritual growth maintaining compassion for others while upholding one's beliefs
Gallery
Zircon
Zircon's name is believed to derive from Arabic 'zarkun' (red) or Persian 'zar' (gold) and 'gon' (color). Considered Earth's oldest discovered mineral, said to exist for 4.4 billion years. With Mohs hardness 7.5, it's relatively hard and has high refractive index comparable to diamond, producing beautiful brilliance. Has diverse colors from colorless to blue, yellow, red, and brown, with blue zircon being particularly popular. Gained popularity as jewelry in 16th century Italy and appeared in jewelry markets in the 1920s as a relatively new gemstone, yet has ancient history appearing in Greek mythology. Newly added to December in the 2021 birthstone revision. Also called the 'stone of peace,' believed to bring mental tranquility and vitality.
Features
- Beautiful brilliance from high refractive index comparable to diamond
- Possesses 4.4 billion year history as Earth's oldest mineral
- Excellent durability and workability with Mohs hardness 7.5
- Rich color variations from colorless to blue, yellow, and red
Personality
- Peaceful and calm personality stone bringing mental stability and healing to the owner
- Full of vitality and energy with power to promote the owner's action and success
- Intellectual and rational nature granting calm judgment
Symbolic Meaning
- Peace and tranquility of mind
- Vitality and life energy
- Guidance to success and happiness
- Permanence and unchanging value
Reason for Selection
- Considered suitable for December as a stone bringing peace and tranquility at year's end and giving vitality for the new year
- Chosen for December as Earth's oldest mineral symbolizing permanence, wishing for sustained success in the new year
- Selected as its diamond-like brilliance harmonizes with winter's clear light, expressing December's beauty
Protection & Effects
- Protects the mind from mental stress and anxiety, bringing tranquility
- Protects the body from physical exhaustion and fatigue, maintaining vitality
- Protects from obstacles and difficulties encountered on the path to success
- Protects mental stability from emotional turmoil and disturbance
Trials & Growth
- Trial of perseverance to continue patient effort toward long-term goals
- Trial of spiritual maturity maintaining humility and peaceful mind despite success
- Trial of wisdom balancing old values with new ways of thinking