December’s 3 (Blue) Birthstones Will Chase Away Winter Blues!

If you like blue gemstones, you’re covered by December’s tantalizing trio. From the oldest to the most recently discovered, presenting (blue) Zircon, turquoise, and tanzanite. Here’s an overview of each (with thanks to the GIA and American Gem Society).

Zircon

Don’t mix this up with the man-made “cubic zirconia.” Zircons are natural crystals—and they were confused with diamonds for centuries due to their brilliance and fire.

• Color: Zircon is found in a rainbow of colors ranging from clear to blue to red, to purple, to pink, and several colors in-between. Blue zircon is the official color for December.
• Source: It’s the oldest mineral on earth—4.4 BILLION years old, according to the GIA.
• Unique elements: It has double refraction, which means you see twice as many facets and twice the fire than with other stones.
• Healing properties: Some believe it can fight stress, aid sleep, and help soothe loss and grief.
• Care: It’s 6-7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale. Be careful about exposing it for a long time to bright light, and don’t wear zircon jewelry in rough conditions.

How to buy: According to the GIA, the most valuable colors are blue, bright red, and green. Look for a stone that doesn’t have noticeable inclusions. To get the most brilliance, stones are often cut in rounds and ovals.

Turquoise

While we think of turquoise as uniquely American, it’s much more ancient, stemming from the Middle East. Children in Tibet are given turquoise to keep them safe throughout their life.

• Color: Powder blue to greenish blue, which comes from rainwater dissolving in copper, and then combining with aluminum and phosphorous.
• Source: Originally found in ancient Persia and Egypt; the US is now the world’s largest supplier.
• Unique elements: The dark webs and patches you see on some turquoise are called “matrix.” It can lower a stone’s value, though many believe it enhances the look.
• Healing properties: Ancient Aztecs believed the turquoise had protective power. Some believe today that it can enhance communication and wisdom and help guard against inflammation.
• Care: This stone is sensitive to direct sunlight and solvents as well as to makeup, perfume, and natural oils. It’s rather soft (6 on the Mohs scale) so be careful about rings.

How to buy: The most prized color is a bright sky blue. Stones are valued on color, matrix, hardness, and size. It’s commonly priced by size instead of weight.

Tanzanite

The newest of the three birthstones, this newly discovered gemstone was widely promoted in 1968 by Tiffany, which became its main distributor.

• Color: Rich purple, red-violet, deep blue, violet-blue; most gems today are heat-treated, which replaces yellow-brown tones with blue and violet.
• Source: It was first found in 1967 in Tanzania, which is still the only place it’s mined.
• Unique elements: It has “pleochroism”—it shows different colors when you look at it crystal in different angles and in different types of light.
• Healing properties: It’s believed that the gem can help alleviate grief and hopelessness, and is useful for allergies and bronchitis.
• Care: At 6.7-7 on the Mohs scale, it can be harmed by high temperatures or sudden changes. As always, be careful around cleaning solvents.

How to buy: Vividly colored stones—especially velvety blue—are more valuable than lighter pastels. According to the GIA, your best bet is to buy tanzanite in earrings or pendants, as opposed to rings.

Don’t be blue about your heirloom and fine jewelry, silver, and watches—get an updated appraisal to figure out what you have and what it’s valued. Start with a call to me at 617-304-0174 or at aimee@ambappraisal and we can set up a meeting.

Wishing you brilliant holidays, Aimee