Shop now, pay later
December birthstone earrings give shoppers more options than almost any other month, with turquoise, blue topaz, tanzanite, blue zircon, and lapis lazuli all recognized on modern birthstone lists. Each stone brings a different shade of blue, a different price bracket, and different care requirements. This guide breaks down what to expect from each option so you can pick a pair that fits the wearer’s skin tone, wardrobe, and daily routine.
The Five Stones Recognized for December
The American Gem Trade Association added tanzanite to the December list in 2002, joining turquoise and zircon. Blue topaz and lapis lazuli are also widely sold as December birthstones by US retailers, giving buyers a broad price range from roughly $20 for silver studs with reconstituted turquoise up to several hundred dollars for tanzanite drops.
Color-wise, the group runs from the sky-blue and green-blue of Sleeping Beauty turquoise to the deep violet-blue of tanzanite mined in Tanzania’s Merelani Hills. Blue zircon leans toward a bright, glassy teal, while Swiss blue topaz shows a saturated electric blue created by irradiation and heat treatment of colorless topaz.
If you want a single pair that reads as a classic December gift, turquoise studs remain the most recognizable choice in the US market. For something dressier, tanzanite or blue topaz drops in sterling silver jewelry settings pair well with cocktail attire without pushing into fine-jewelry pricing.
Turquoise Earrings: The Traditional Pick
Turquoise is a hydrated copper aluminum phosphate with a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6, softer than quartz. The most historically significant deposits sit in Iran (Nishapur), the American Southwest (Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico), and China’s Hubei province. Sleeping Beauty turquoise from Globe, Arizona, is prized for its even robin’s-egg blue with minimal matrix.
Because turquoise is porous, avoid perfume, lotion, and prolonged water exposure. Wipe pieces with a soft dry cloth after wear and store them away from harder gems that could scratch the surface. Stabilized turquoise, treated with resin to harden the stone, holds up better for daily earrings than natural untreated material.
What to Look For
Check that both earrings in a pair show similar color saturation and matrix pattern, since turquoise varies stone to stone. Bezel settings protect the edges of the cabochon better than prong settings on a stone this soft.
Blue Topaz, Tanzanite, and Zircon Compared
Blue topaz is an aluminum fluorosilicate with a Mohs hardness of 8, making it one of the more durable options for everyday earrings. Sky, Swiss, and London blue describe three standard color grades, with London blue being the darkest and often the most expensive per carat. Most blue topaz on the market starts as colorless material mined in Brazil, then receives irradiation to produce the blue color.
Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite, calcium aluminum silicate, with a hardness of 6.5 to 7. It comes almost exclusively from a small mining area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, which is why supply is limited and prices per carat run higher than blue topaz. Its pleochroism means the stone shows blue, violet, and burgundy depending on viewing angle, so faceted drops or dangles show more of the color play than flat studs.
Blue zircon (zirconium silicate, not to be confused with synthetic cubic zirconia) has a hardness of 7 to 7.5 and strong dispersion, meaning it throws visible flashes of color similar to diamond. Most gem-quality blue zircon comes from Cambodia and is heat-treated to produce the teal-blue color. Browse the full range of sterling silver jewelry to see how each stone reads in silver versus mixed-metal settings.
Choosing the Right Pair by Style and Setting
Studs work for office wear, gym bags, and travel, since there is little to catch on scarves or hair. A 6mm to 8mm turquoise or blue topaz stud in sterling silver sits comfortably on most earlobes without pulling. For pierced ears sensitive to nickel, look for .925 sterling silver with rhodium plating or hypoallergenic posts.
Drop and dangle designs move with the wearer and catch light, which flatters faceted stones like tanzanite, zircon, and blue topaz more than opaque turquoise. Length of 25mm to 40mm reads as everyday, while anything longer moves into evening territory. Leverback closures stay on better than French wires for anyone who lost an earring in the past.
Hoops set with small December birthstones around the circumference give a modern look that suits both casual and dressy outfits. Turquoise inlay hoops in the style of Zuni and Navajo silversmithing remain a strong seller through the winter gift season.
Care Summary
Clean topaz, tanzanite, and zircon with warm soapy water and a soft brush, avoiding ultrasonic and steam cleaners for tanzanite, which can fracture under thermal shock. Turquoise and lapis need only a dry wipe. Store each pair in a separate soft pouch so harder stones do not scratch softer ones.
Gifting Notes for December Birthdays
December birthdays often overlap with holiday gift-giving, so many buyers look for a single pair that covers both occasions. Turquoise reads as personal and connected to Southwestern craft traditions, while tanzanite and blue topaz feel more formal and dressy. Blue zircon suits anyone who likes sparkle but wants something less common than diamond or sapphire.
Check return windows and sizing before ordering, since ear wire style is harder to exchange than clothing size. If you are shopping our sterling silver jewelry collection for a December birthstone gift, feel free to reach out with questions about stone origin, treatment disclosure, or matching pendants and rings from the same series.
