December Birthstone Gifts: Tanzanite and Turquoise Colors She'll Wear All Winter

The December birthstones are tanzanite, turquoise and blue zircon, and the easiest way to shop December birthstone jewelry is by color. Pick tanzanite blue violet for a deep, glowing look, or turquoise for bright, sparkly blue. Every pick here is under US$60 and made in December birthstone colors with Firefly Glass and crystal rather than the gemstones themselves, so she gets all the meaning and color at a gift friendly price.

Discover what each stone stands for, a quick color chart, our favorite glowing tanzanite gifts, a sparkling turquoise pick and simple care tips.

What is the December birthstone?

December is one of the few months with three birthstones, and they all live in the same cool blue family.

• Tanzanite is a blue violet stone found in Tanzania. It is the newest of the three, and its color can shift between blue and purple depending on the light. Many people see it as a stone of calm and new beginnings.
• Turquoise is the classic December stone, an opaque sky blue to green blue that has been worn for thousands of years as a symbol of protection and good luck.
• Blue zircon is a bright, icy blue with lots of sparkle, often linked to wisdom and confidence.

Because the three share a palette, you do not need to know which stone she prefers. You only need to know whether she leans toward deep violet blue or bright sky blue. If you are shopping for more than one birthday this season, our October birthstone guide and November birthstone gifts follow the same color first approach.

How do you pick December birthstone jewelry by color?

Start with her everyday style, then match it to a color and a piece. This chart keeps it simple.

All three slip on easily, sized at 7.8 inches around on a comfy stretch cord, so there is no need to guess her wrist size.

Which tanzanite gifts glow?

Our tanzanite gifts are made with Firefly Glass, genuine lampwork hand blown glass designed by NOGU Studio in Toronto. Small phosphorescent particles are suspended inside the glass, so after a few minutes under a bright lamp or in a sunbeam, the beads glow in the dark. There are no electronics involved.

The Tanzanite Firefly Glass Diamonds Bracelet is the easy everyday choice at US$43. Its 8mm faceted Firefly Glass beads in tanzanite blue sit on a comfy clear stretch cord with a silver finish and a stainless steel base. Every facet catches the light like a cut stone by day, which is where the Diamonds name comes from: it describes the faceted glass, not real diamonds.

For a more personal gift, the Tanzanite Deluxe Bear Bracelet is US$59 and built on a .925 sterling silver base with an 18k white gold vermeil finish. Tanzanite Firefly Glass beads frame a glowing Tanzanite Firefly Glass bear, and the result looks sweet in daylight and glows blue at night. It is a lovely pick for a daughter, a niece or a best friend with a December birthday.

Is there a turquoise December birthstone bracelet?

Yes. If her style is bright and full of sparkle, the Turquoise Confetti Kikiballa Bracelet is our turquoise December birthstone bracelet at US$43. It is made with 10mm crystal studded beads in Turquoise Confetti, set on a clear stretch cord with a silver finish, a stainless steel base, a silver bead at the center and a matching engraved NOGU charm. It comes as a single bracelet, ready to stack with her favorites.

Turquoise and tanzanite blue are a natural stack. Pair the Turquoise Confetti bracelet with the Tanzanite Firefly Glass Diamonds Bracelet for a December birthstone bracelet duo, or browse the full Crystal Kikiballa collection and the Firefly Glass collection to build her set. Looking for more stocking ideas? Our gifts under $50 collection has plenty.

How do you care for December birthstone jewelry?

A little care keeps the color bright and the cord strong.

• Water: while sterling silver on its own is not waterproof, NOGU pieces are plated, so they are fine to get wet. Just dry them off and store them somewhere dry.
• Skip products: avoid water mixed with soap, shampoo, body wash or lotion, and put lotion and perfume on before your bracelets.
• Roll, do not stretch: roll stretch bracelets on and off your wrist rather than pulling the cord.
• Charge the glow: leave Firefly Glass under a bright lamp for up to 5 minutes or in a sunbeam for up to 10 minutes.
• Store separately: keep each piece in a soft pouch so beads do not rub together.

Our Jewelry Cleaning and Care guide and materials page cover each material in more detail. Standard shipping is free on orders over $50 USD in the USA and $50 CAD in Canada (excluding the territories: NT, NU, YT), and orders placed before 2pm EST are dispatched the same day. Free gifts unlock as you spend: a mystery bracelet at US$100 (CA$125 in Canada), a travel clutch at US$150 (CA$200) and a jewelry travel case at US$250 (CA$315). See our Shipping FAQs for delivery times, or call us at 1-800-338-8840.

December birthstone jewelry FAQs

What is the birthstone for December?

December has three traditional birthstones: tanzanite, turquoise and zircon, most often blue zircon. All three share a cool blue palette, from violet blue tanzanite to sky blue turquoise, which makes December one of the easiest months to shop by color.

Are these bracelets made with real tanzanite or turquoise?

No. Our December picks are designed in birthstone colors, not cut from the gemstones. The Tanzanite pieces use hand blown Firefly Glass, and the Turquoise Confetti bracelet uses crystal studded beads. The Firefly Glass Diamonds name refers to the faceted glass, not real diamonds.

Which December birthstone color should I choose?

Choose tanzanite blue violet if she loves deep, moody colors and something that glows at night. Choose turquoise if her style is bright, playful and full of sparkle. If you cannot decide, the two colors stack well together.

Can she wear these bracelets in water?

While sterling silver on its own is not waterproof, NOGU pieces are plated, so they are fine to get wet. Just dry them off, store them somewhere dry, and keep them away from water mixed with soap, shampoo or lotion.

Will a December birthstone gift arrive in time for the holidays?

Orders placed before 2pm EST are dispatched the same day, and standard shipping is free on orders over $50 USD in the USA and $50 CAD in Canada (excluding the territories: NT, NU, YT). Check our Shipping FAQs for delivery times, or call us at 1-800-338-8840.