December’s Dream Team: Turquoise & Tanzanite

If December had a mood board, it would be cozy sweaters, twinkly lights, and pops of blue and purple shimmer. Enter: Turquoise and Tanzanite, December's birthstones that bring all the winter magic without the frostbite.  

Turquoise: The OG Good-Vibes Birthstone  

Turquoise is basically the cool aunt of gemstones - ancient, wise, and somehow still stylish. It’s one of the oldest known gemstones and has been loved for thousands of years by cultures around the world. Ancient Egyptians used Turquoise in jewelry and amulets, Native American tribes set it into silver and used it in ceremonial pieces, and Persian royalty basically treated Turquoise like their favorite color.  

What Turquoise symbolizes:  

Turquoise is often associated with:  

• Protection – Historically worn as a talisman for travelers 
• Calm energy – Think peaceful desert skies, not your 37-open-tabs brain
• Communication & truth – It’s said to help people speak honestly and from the heart  

It’s the perfect stone for anyone manifesting less chaos and more clarity - a.k.a. Turquoise is all of us.  

Fun facts about Turquoise:

• No two pieces look exactly alike. The veining (those brown or black lines) is called a “matrix,” and it gives each stone its own personality.  
• It’s relatively soft compared to many gemstones, which is why you’ll often see it in chunky rings, big pendants, and inlaid designs rather than super delicate settings.  
• Its name has travel history. “Turquoise” comes from the French *“turquois,”* meaning “Turkish,” because the stone was first brought to Europe through Turkey - even though it was originally mined in places like Persia (modern-day Iran) and the Sinai Peninsula. World traveler energy.
• The color can “age” over time. Turquoise can actually change color slightly as it absorbs oils from your skin or is exposed to light and air. It might deepen, become more greenish, or lose some vibrancy—another reason gentle care (and less lotion contact) is key.
• A lot of modern turquoise is treated or stabilized. Because natural turquoise is relatively soft and porous, many stones are **stabilized** with resins to make them more durable and enhance color. It’s super common and not a bad thing—it just helps your jewelry survive real life.

Tanzanite: The New Kid with Main Character Energy  

Tanzanite is the dramatic, color-shifting superstar birthstone of December. Discovered only in the 1960s in Tanzania (hence the name), it’s a newer gemstone compared to ancient stones like Turquoise. That’s right—this gem is younger than your parents’ favorite classic rock album.  

Tanzanite is prized for its rich blue-violet color that can shift depending on the light and the angle. It’s modern, mysterious, and makes any jewelry piece look instantly luxe.  

What Tanzanite symbolizes:

Tanzanite is often linked to:  

• Transformation – New chapters, fresh starts, big glow-ups.  
• Intuition – A little nudge to trust your inner voice.  
• Spiritual growth – Great for anyone on a self-discovery journey (or just learning to say “no” more often).  

Fun facts about Tanzanite:  

• It’s found in just one place in the world: a small region near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. That makes it rarer than many classic gemstones.  
• It’s naturally more brownish than blue. Most Tanzanite doesn’t come out of the ground with that intense blue-violet. It’s usually heat-treated (a standard, accepted practice) to bring out the rich blue and purple tones everyone falls in love with.
• It’s very color-shifty (technically “pleochroic”). Tanzanite is strongly pleochroic, which means it can show different colors from different angles—typically blue, violet, and sometimes a reddish or brownish tone. That’s why it can look like a completely different stone in daylight vs. indoor lighting - like it’s changing outfits without warning.
• It’s one of the newest official birthstones. Tanzanite was only added as a December birthstone in 2002 by the American Gem Trade Association. That makes it a baby in birthstone years—especially compared to ancient classics like turquoise.

How to Care for Turquoise & Tanzanite Jewelry  

These stones are beautiful, but they’re also a bit sensitive. Think of them as the “handle with care” friends in your jewelry box.  

Caring for Turquoise  

Turquoise is more porous and softer than a lot of gems, which means:  

• Avoid chemicals – Perfume, hairspray, lotion, and cleaning products can discolor it. Always put on your jewelry after your products.  
• Skip the steamy stuff – No hot tubs, saunas, or long soaks with your turquoise on.  
• Clean gently – Just use a soft, slightly damp cloth. No harsh cleaners, no ultrasonic cleaners, no abrasives.  
• Store safely – Keep it in a soft pouch or separate compartment so harder stones don’t scratch it.  

Basically: Turquoise loves soft cloths, low drama, and chemical-free zones.  

Caring for Tanzanite  

Tanzanite is harder than Turquoise, but still not as tough as diamonds or sapphires. So it’s a “be gentle, but not overprotective” situation.  

• Avoid hard knocks – Don’t wear your Tanzanite ring to the gym, while moving furniture, or during your sudden urge to rearrange the entire house at midnight.  
• Keep it cool – Extreme temperature changes can stress the stone. No boiling water, no intense heat.  
• Clean with care – Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush or cloth. Skip ultrasonic or steam cleaners—they can be too intense.  
• Safe storage – Store separately or in a soft-lined box so it doesn’t get scratched or scratch softer stones.  

The Chill Shop Has You Covered

Whether you are team Turquoise or team Tanzanite, we have several pieces in our December Birthstone Collection for you to choose from. Even though this is not my birthstone month, I’m definitely digging all the pieces in this collection. Let’s be honest…if I had to pick just one as my favorite, I couldn’t do it.

Which December Birthstone is Your Vibe?  

If you’re all about grounded, earthy, boho energy, Turquoise might be your ride-or-die. If you’re leaning into your mysterious, intuitive, “main character in a winter movie” phase, Tanzanite might be your perfect match.  

You can absolutely wear both—December is generous like that. Layer them, stack them, mix silver with gold, and let the blues and purples do their thing.  

If you’d like, tell me your style (minimal, boho, glam, or “all of the above”) and I can suggest a few fun ways to wear Turquoise and Tanzanite together.

Until next time, 

Dianna