December Birthstone: Tanzanite

What Is the December Birthstone?

December has two modern birthstones: turquoise and tanzanite — blue-violet stones traditionally associated with protection, intuition and spiritual connection. Our December birthstone collection features tanzanite: the younger, rarer stone, discovered in Tanzania in 1967 and found nowhere else on earth.

Tanzanite Meaning & Properties

Tanzanite is famous for its trichroism — a single crystal can flash blue, violet and burgundy as it turns in the light. In crystal practice, tanzanite is traditionally linked to intuition and spiritual connection: a stone practitioners associate with inner vision, calm insight and a sense of higher perspective.

Because it was discovered only in 1967, tanzanite carries modern lore rather than ancient myth — the stone of a new generation, prized for its uniqueness and its unmistakable blue-violet fire. Tanzanite was officially added to the December birthstone list in 2002 — the first addition in nearly a century.

How to Wear Your Birthstone

Tanzanite's blue-violet colour is unlike any other December stone — a pendant or ring makes a distinctive December birthday gift. Its trichroic flashes reward movement, so pieces worn where they catch the light show the stone at its best.

Care & Cleansing

Tanzanite is moderately soft (6.5–7 on the Mohs scale): handle gently, remove before sports and housework, and store separately from harder stones.

Cleansing: rest them overnight on a Clear Quartz cluster — the simplest daily reset. For a deeper cleanse, try our Herkimer Diamond water method: soak a Herkimer Diamond in water for a few hours, then rest your crystal in the water for 10–30 minutes (skip water-based methods for these stones). Moonlight around the full moon is a good tool-free alternative. Read our full cleansing guide.

Avoid salt water — it can permanently dull or damage the stone's surface.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the December birthstone?

December has two modern birthstones: turquoise and tanzanite. Our December collection features tanzanite — the blue-violet stone traditionally linked to intuition and spiritual connection.

Can I wear a different month's birthstone?

Absolutely. Many people wear a loved one's birthstone, choose a stone for its traditional associations rather than its month, or simply follow what they are drawn to. There are no rules — only personal meaning.

Where does tanzanite come from?

A single location: the Merelani Hills of Tanzania, where it was discovered in 1967. Tanzanite is found nowhere else on earth, which is part of what makes it so prized.

Explore all birthstone crystals by month.