If you are born in December birthstone, you get not one, not two, but three birthstones to choose from! The tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon are all known for their stunning colors and interesting history. From being rarer than diamonds to its remarkable varieties, here is your complete guide to the tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon!
STONE FACTS
Whether you want to hone your gemstone knowledge or get to know December’s birthstones a bit better, here are some fun facts about the tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon!
In 1967, the Tanzanite was first discovered by an Indian tailor, Manuel De Souza, in Tanzania.
The appearance of Turquoises is so unique and beautiful that it is the only stone to have an official color named after it.
More than 4 billion years old, Zircon is the oldest mineral on Earth.
Since it can only be found in Northern Tanzania, Tanzanite is said to be rarer than diamonds. If people continue mining, some geologists theorize that there will be little to no tanzanite left in the next 20 years.
While the most valuable turquoises can be found in Northeast Iran, this stone can also be found in Argentina, Australia, Afghanistan, Brazil, Israel, China, Mexico, Tanzania, and the United States.
STONE VARIETY
As tanzanite is so rare already, it has no species or varieties. Having said that, Tanzanite does come in different colors naturally. You can find this stone in pink, blue, violet, brown, green, yellow, and gray.
As for turquoises, there are five main types: Royston turquoise, stormy mountain turquoise, Indian mountain turquoise, and pilot mountain turquoise. These stones can range in color from bright blue to brown to green.
Zircon also comes in four varieties. These varieties are Jacinth, Jargon, Matura Diamond, and Starlite.
STONE DURABILITY
On the Mohs scale of hardness, a turquoise was rated a 5 to 6. This shows us that while the stone is not completely fragile, it can be incredibly vulnerable. So, if you accidentally drop this stone, there probably will be a few abrasions or scratches.
The tanzanite, on the other hand, has been rated a 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale. This means that this stone is slightly more tough than the turquoise. This stone does not easily break, but it can get scratched easily.
The strongest stone out of this trio is the zircon. This stone has been rated a 7.5 on the Mohs scale. This stone is pretty strong and durable. It can be worn or used daily without too much caution.
STONE CARE
These gemstones can all be cleaned in the same way. First, just cleanse your stone with mild, unscented soap and water. It is best to avoid using ultrasonic and steam cleaners for these gems. Then dry off the stones with a lint-free cloth.
If you want to go the extra mile, you can also have your gems professionally cleaned yearly.