If you were born in December, you have a beautiful choice of birthstones. Turquoise is one of the traditional December birthstones, known for its distinctive blue-to-green color, natural character, and long history in jewelry. December is also associated with tanzanite and zircon, giving December birthdays several different gemstone styles to choose from.
Turquoise stands apart because it is usually opaque rather than transparent and is valued for its color, texture, and natural markings rather than intense sparkle. It can range from bright sky blue to blue-green and green, sometimes with dark veins called matrix.
Whether you’re choosing a December birthday gift or simply want to understand this gemstone better, here’s what to know about turquoise’s meaning, color, history, jewelry, and care.
What Is the December Birthstone?
December has three widely recognized birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. GIA lists all three as December birthstones, with each offering a very different appearance.
- Turquoise: Opaque blue to green, often with natural matrix
- Tanzanite: Transparent blue to violet, usually faceted
- Zircon: A natural gemstone available in several colors, including blue
Turquoise is the most traditional-looking choice of the three. It has been used as a gemstone for thousands of years and is particularly recognizable for its blue-green color.
If you’re exploring birthstones more broadly, the complete birthstones by month guide can help you compare the stones associated with every month.
Turquoise Meaning as a December Birthstone
Turquoise has traditionally been associated with protection, good fortune, peace, and friendship.
These meanings come from centuries of cultural traditions and beliefs rather than scientific properties. Ancient civilizations prized turquoise as both a decorative gemstone and a protective talisman. GIA notes that turquoise has been treasured for millennia, including in ancient Egypt and among Indigenous peoples of North America.
For a December birthday, turquoise can therefore carry a particularly personal message. It can represent:
- Protection and good fortune
- Friendship and affection
- Peace and calm
- A connection to nature
- A long-standing tradition of gemstone jewelry
Its meaning also makes turquoise a thoughtful choice for a birthday necklace, bracelet, earrings, or carefully designed ring.
What Color Is December Birthstone Turquoise?
Turquoise is best known for its blue to blue-green color, but it can also appear more green depending on its composition.
Classic turquoise colors include:
- Sky blue
- Robin’s-egg blue
- Blue-green
- Green
- Greenish blue
Copper contributes to turquoise’s blue coloration, while iron can influence greener tones. Natural turquoise can also contain darker veins or patches called matrix, which are remnants of the surrounding host rock.
Some people prefer clean, evenly colored turquoise, while others specifically look for stones with distinctive matrix patterns. Neither look is automatically better, the choice largely comes down to personal taste.
This is one reason turquoise feels different from many transparent gemstones. Instead of looking for maximum brilliance and sparkle, you’re often choosing based on color, pattern, texture, and personality.
Turquoise Birthstone History
Turquoise has one of the longest histories of any gemstone.
It was used in ancient Egypt, where turquoise appeared in important jewelry and artifacts. GIA notes that turquoise also has a long history in China and played an important role in the traditions of Native American peoples.
The gemstone has also been associated with protection and good fortune in different cultures throughout history.
Some of the most famous turquoise sources include Iran, Arizona, Nevada, and China. Persian turquoise became particularly famous for its intense, even blue color, while American turquoise is strongly associated with the American Southwest.
Its history is part of what makes turquoise so appealing today. A turquoise piece can look casual and modern while still connecting to a gemstone tradition that stretches back thousands of years.
How Hard Is Turquoise?
Turquoise typically measures around 5 to 6 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it considerably softer than sapphire or diamond.
That doesn’t mean turquoise is unsuitable for jewelry. It simply means the gemstone needs more care.
Its relatively low hardness makes it more vulnerable to:
- Scratches
- Hard impacts
- Heat
- Chemicals
- Cosmetics and oils
- Abrasive cleaning
Turquoise is also porous. Some turquoise is stabilized with resin to improve its durability and help protect its appearance. Treatments are common in the trade, so buyers should ask whether a stone is natural, stabilized, dyed, or otherwise treated.
Is Turquoise Good for Jewelry?
Yes, but the type of jewelry matters.
Turquoise works especially well in pieces where the gemstone is protected from heavy impact. Necklaces, earrings, and pendants are generally easier to wear because they experience less contact and abrasion than rings.
Turquoise rings can also be beautiful, but they require more care because your hands regularly encounter surfaces, water, cosmetics, and accidental impacts.
If you’re considering a turquoise ring, look for a setting that gives the gemstone some protection. A bezel-style setting, for example, can help shield the edges of the stone.
For anyone interested in different gemstone options, the guide to types of gemstones offers a broader look at gemstone colors, characteristics, and styles.
How to Choose a Turquoise Birthstone
When shopping for turquoise jewelry, don’t focus on color alone. Consider the stone’s overall appearance and how you’ll actually wear the piece.
1. Choose the color you like
Do you prefer bright sky blue, blue-green, or greener turquoise?
There is no single color that everyone should choose. Some people love the clean appearance of even blue turquoise, while others prefer the character created by natural matrix.
2. Look at the matrix
Matrix refers to remnants of the surrounding rock visible within the turquoise.
Some stones have almost no visible matrix, while others have dramatic webbing or darker patterns. If you like a more organic or rustic look, matrix can be part of the appeal.
3. Ask about treatment
Turquoise may be natural, stabilized, dyed, or otherwise treated.
Stabilization is common and can improve durability, but it is still useful to know what you’re buying. A reputable seller should be able to explain the stone’s treatment status.
4. Consider the setting
Because turquoise is relatively soft, the setting matters. A protective design can be a better choice if the jewelry will be worn frequently.
5. Match the metal to the stone
Turquoise has a particularly recognizable relationship with silver, especially in Southwestern-inspired jewelry. But it can also look beautiful with yellow gold, white gold, or other metals.
Yellow gold creates a warm contrast against blue turquoise, while silver gives the gemstone a cooler, more traditional appearance.
Best December Birthstone Jewelry
Turquoise is versatile enough to work across several jewelry styles.
Turquoise Necklaces
A turquoise pendant or necklace lets the gemstone become the main visual feature without exposing it to as much impact as a ring.
Turquoise Earrings
Earrings are another practical option for December birthdays. Studs, drops, and small turquoise hoops can add color without requiring the gemstone to withstand much everyday abrasion.
Turquoise Bracelets
Turquoise bracelets can create a relaxed, colorful look, although they should be protected from hard impacts and frequent contact with chemicals.
Turquoise Rings
Turquoise rings have plenty of personality, especially when paired with an unusual setting or contrasting metal. However, they need more careful handling than harder gemstones.
If you’re shopping specifically for a December birthday, the December birthstone rings collection is a natural place to explore ring styles featuring the month’s birthstone.
How to Care for Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise requires gentler care than diamonds and many other gemstones.
GIA recommends cleaning turquoise jewelry with warm, soapy water and avoiding steam and ultrasonic cleaners. High heat, solvents, acids, and some chemicals can damage or discolor turquoise, particularly treated stones.
For everyday care:
- Remove turquoise jewelry before swimming.
- Keep it away from household chemicals.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to perfume, lotions, and cosmetics.
- Protect it from high heat.
- Don’t use ultrasonic or steam cleaners.
- Store it separately from harder gemstones.
- Wipe it gently after wearing.
A simple habit is to put turquoise jewelry on after applying perfume, lotion, or other cosmetics and remove it before your evening routine.
Turquoise vs. Tanzanite vs. Zircon
Although all three are associated with December, turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon have very different personalities.
| Feature | Turquoise | Tanzanite | Zircon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical color | Blue to green | Blue to violet | Blue and many other colors |
| Appearance | Opaque | Transparent | Transparent |
| Sparkle | Low | Moderate to high | High |
| Typical hardness | 5–6 | About 6–7 | About 6–7.5 |
| Distinctive feature | Matrix and solid color | Blue-violet color | Brilliance and fire |
Turquoise is the better fit if you love opaque color, natural patterns, and an earthy appearance.
Tanzanite may appeal more if you prefer a transparent gemstone with blue-violet tones and faceted sparkle.
Zircon is a good option if you want a naturally occurring gemstone with more brilliance and a look that can resemble diamond.
For a more detailed comparison, see the guide to turquoise vs. tanzanite vs. zircon.
You can also compare turquoise with blue topaz if you’re deciding between similar blue gemstone looks.
Is Turquoise a Good December Birthday Gift?
Turquoise can make an excellent December birthday gift, particularly for someone who likes distinctive gemstones rather than traditional diamond-style sparkle.
Its strongest appeal is its individuality. Two turquoise stones don’t necessarily look identical, especially when matrix patterns and variations in color are present.
For a gift, consider the recipient’s existing jewelry style:
- Choose turquoise earrings for an easy-to-wear option.
- Choose a turquoise necklace for a statement birthday piece.
- Choose a turquoise ring for something more personal and distinctive.
- Choose a simple turquoise pendant for a more understated gift.
See the Turquoise vs. Blue Topaz
The most important thing is to match the gemstone and jewelry style to how the recipient actually dresses and wears jewelry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is turquoise the December birthstone?
Yes. Turquoise is one of the recognized December birthstones. December is also associated with tanzanite and zircon.
What does turquoise symbolize?
Turquoise has traditionally been associated with protection, good fortune, peace, and friendship. These are cultural and historical associations rather than scientifically proven properties.
What color is the December birthstone?
Turquoise typically ranges from blue and sky blue to blue-green and green. Some stones also contain darker matrix patterns.
Is turquoise a real gemstone?
Yes. Turquoise is a naturally occurring gemstone and has been used in jewelry for thousands of years.
Is turquoise durable enough for a ring?
It can be used in rings, but turquoise is relatively soft at around 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale. It is more vulnerable to scratches and damage than harder gemstones such as sapphire or diamond.
Can turquoise get wet?
Occasional exposure to water isn’t necessarily disastrous, but turquoise should not be routinely exposed to water, chemicals, soaps, or prolonged moisture. Treated turquoise can be particularly sensitive to certain chemicals and heat.
Can turquoise be cleaned with an ultrasonic cleaner?
No. GIA specifically advises against ultrasonic cleaning for turquoise. Gentle cleaning with warm, soapy water is a safer option.
Is turquoise always blue?
No. Turquoise can range from blue to blue-green and green. Its color depends partly on its mineral composition.
What is turquoise matrix?
Matrix is the visible remnant of the host rock within a turquoise gemstone. It can appear as veins, patches, or web-like patterns and is an important part of the appearance of many natural turquoise stones.
Final Thoughts
Turquoise is a distinctive December birthstone with thousands of years of history and a recognizable blue-to-green color. Its traditional associations with protection, good fortune, peace, and friendship add meaning to an already visually distinctive gemstone.
Its softness means it needs more care than diamonds, sapphires, and other harder stones, but that doesn’t make it any less suitable for beautiful jewelry. The key is choosing the right setting and treating the gemstone gently.
If you love jewelry with natural color and character rather than maximum sparkle, turquoise can be a particularly meaningful choice for a December birthday.
