What are the December birthstones?

Tanzanite, turquoise and zircon on the modern list. Blue topaz is used for December by some retailers but has never been added to the list by Jewelers of America or the American Gem Trade Association. Every stone we sell is natural and assessed in-house by our FGAA-qualified gemmologist.

Is tanzanite safe for an engagement ring?

It is not the choice we would make. Tanzanite is 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale and abrades easily, and GIA itself steers it toward earrings and pendants. If December is the point, a tanzanite pendant will outlive a tanzanite ring many times over.

Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia?

No. Zircon is a natural mineral with a brilliance close to diamond, mined at Elahera in Sri Lanka and in Australia's Harts Range among other places. Cubic zirconia is a man-made simulant, which we do not sell. Natural zircon is commonly heated to blue or colourless, and we state that.

Can you source a December birthstone I cannot see on the site?

Yes. Zircon and tanzanite come through the house's own trade network and are assessed in-house before we quote in writing, usually within a week. A 6.5 carat loose tanzanite is in the house now for anyone who would rather give the stone and design the piece together.

December Birthstone — Turquoise, Tanzanite & Zircon

December has three birthstones, and all three are blue: tanzanite, turquoise and zircon. Tanzanite, the gemstone of the twenty-fourth anniversary, comes from a single hill in Tanzania and nowhere else on Earth. Turquoise, the eleventh, is the oldest blue in jewellery. Zircon, a real mineral and no relation to cubic zirconia, is mined at Elahera in Sri Lanka and in Australia's Harts Range, a foot in each of this house's two countries. Every stone here is natural and assessed in-house by our FGAA-qualified gemmologist.

December birthstones

Turquoise, Tanzanite, Zircon

Success and protection

Anniversary stone

11th (turquoise), 24th (tanzanite)

Mohs 5 to 6 (turquoise), 6 to 7 (tanzanite), 6 to 7.5 (zircon)

Wear

No strong daily-ring option among the three; all three shine in earrings and pendants

Care

Tanzanite and zircon: warm soapy water, avoid ultrasonic and steam. Turquoise: soft damp cloth only, keep from oils, cosmetics and perfume.

Why ours. Zircon from Ceylon's Elahera and Australia's Harts Range, a foot in each of the house's two countries, sourced to order. Most tanzanite is heated to its blue-violet, near-universal and stable. Turquoise is commonly stabilised or dyed; zircon is commonly heated. Each stated per stone.

By pieceEarrings (no sizing)Loose stones

By budget$2,500 to $6,000 (3)

Sourced to order: Zircon, Tanzanite. Tell us the stone, size and budget; we source through our own Ceylon and Australian trade network, assess in-house and quote in writing, usually within a week.

Ask our gemmologist Email a request

Honest advice for a December gift: none of the three is a strong daily-ring stone, and all three are glorious in earrings and pendants. Tanzanite at 6 to 7 abrades easily, turquoise at 5 to 6 dislikes oils and perfume, and zircon at 6 to 7.5 abrades rather than shatters. Blue topaz appears on retail calendars for December, but it has never been added to the list; if blue is the point, our November topaz and the September sapphires in blue and teal are the honest alternatives. We hold a 6.5 carat tanzanite and set turquoise to order, and source natural zircon in blue, honey and colourless through our Ceylon and Australian ground.

Learn first: The Birthstone Handbook · Gem data tables · Ask our gemmologist

Bespoke · Designed Around Your Stone

Not quite what you pictured? Design it around your stone.

Choose the sapphire first, then the piece, with our FGAA-qualified gemmologist at your side. Most commissions leave our Pitt Street workshop in two to four weeks.

Design Your Jewellery Book Consultation · Pitt St Showroom

CLIENT WORDS

In the Words of Our Clients

5.0 out of 5 on Google

Ministry of Gems® holds a rating of 5.0 out of 5 on Google. Five of those reviews are reproduced in full here — covering bespoke ring commissions, loose sapphire purchases and trade supply — and every one can be verified independently on Google, where reviews cannot be edited or deleted by the business they describe.

“Went to their website & made an appointment… Sasha took me through the steps and fine tuned the design with a video call. 2 weeks later got the ring delivered. Prices are amazing and what a lovely team. Highly recommend!”

5 out of 5 · Andy M. · verified Google review

“Got a really nice unheated pink sapphire for my girlfriend… made it so easy and cost effective. I learnt so much about the industry and now go to them for all professional opinions on gems and jewels! Could not give a higher recommendation.”

5 out of 5 · Charles R. · verified Google review

“Spoke with the team for my custom ring and the whole process was smooth… Very happy with the beautiful diamond ring and will definitely return for future purchases.”

5 out of 5 · Imendra F. · verified Google review

“I was really happy with the quality of gem stones as well as the services provided. Ministry of Gems exceeded my expectations, will definitely be buying more!”

5 out of 5 · Vishwa P. · verified Google review