Four December Birthstones
The American Gemological Society officially states that there is not just one December birthstone, but four! Folklore says that wearing the birthstone of a month gives off healing energy, so how fun is it to have four different choices in gemstones for December. The official stones are turquoise, zircon (with blue topaz as it’s substitute because if its brilliant blue color), and tanzanite.
Blue Topaz – December Birthstone
At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers, you will find online and in our Whitefish Bay store, a great selection of beautifully created jewelry using blue topaz with diamond accents. However, we also a few pieces made with the other gemstones from designers Spark Creations and Doves by Doran Paloma. Spark Creations uses a fair amount of the tanzanite in several pieces as showcased below in the earrings, pendant and ring.
December Birthstone – Turquoise
While Doves designers’ create unique stones made of natural Arizona turquoise and clear white topaz for their St. Barth’s Collection. Notice the bright creamy blue hue for shown in the jewelry images below. At Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers we carry some of these items online, but even more in our stores.
December Birthstone – Tanzanite
Tanzanite is one of the more exceptional and elusive gemstones in the group. Found in only one place in the world, Mount Kilimanjaro, tanzanite is a relative newcomer to precious gemstone market, after being discovered in 1967. Noted by its high transparency and blue-violet color spectrum, the stone after its country of origin, Tanzania.
GIA uses the Four C’s to grade tanzanite gemstones.
COLOR:
Typically found in the market as an intense violet-ish blue, tanzanite is a pleochroic gemstone, which can show red flashes from within the stone. As the color becomes more saturated, the price typically increases.
CLARITY:
Much of the tanzanite market has inclusions that are only visible under the microscope, however should eye-visible inclusion be present, the buyer should beware as the structure of the gemstone is at risk.
CUT:
Gemstone cutters and designers generally based the stone’s cut off of maximizing the pleochroic quality. Gemstone cutters use non-traditional cuts to maximize top-color and carat weight loss with tanzanite rough stones.
CARAT WEIGHT:
While tanzanite can exist in a wide range of carat weights, cuts and colors, typically the finest stones exist in the +5 carat weights. This, however, brings a substantial price.
Stop by Schwanke-Kasten Jewelers in Whitefish Bay to see our inventory of tanzanite jewelry. This gorgeous stone makes an excellent gift for a December birthday or 24th anniversary.
