October Birthstone: Opal vs Tourmaline

October has two beautiful birthstones, opal and tourmaline, and each is beautiful in its own way. They also have very different characteristics. If you're thinking about wearing an October birthstone or giving one as a gift, it helps to understand the difference between these two gemstones first. The only thing they have in common is that they are both October birthstones. Beyond that, they differ in color, appearance, durability, meaning, and price. So, which October birthstone is right for you? Let's take a closer look at what makes each one different. What Is the October Birthstone Opal is the traditional October birthstone; it has held the October spot for ages. Tourmaline was added later, not to replace opal, but to sit alongside it. Opal held the October slot on its own for decades before tourmaline was added to give buyers a more durable alternative, since opal's softness and its undeserved bad-luck reputation made some people hesitant to choose it." Choosing between them isn't about finding the "real" October birthstone. It's about deciding which gemstone's color, durability, and character work better for you.  Feature Opal Tourmaline October status Traditional birthstone Newer addition Main appeal Play-of-color Wide range of body colors Mohs hardness About 5–6.5 About 7–7.5 Everyday wear Needs more care Generally more practical Best suited to Pendants, earrings, protected rings Rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets Opal: Flashes of Color That Aren't Really There Here's the aspect of opal that makes it popular: Though opal is a colored gemstone, it isn't colored the way a sapphire or a ruby is. A ruby is red because of what's inside it. Opal, in its finest form, is doing something closer to a magic trick; it's not "red" or "green," it's showing you red and green depending on where you're standing. That effect is called a play-of-color, and it comes from tiny silica spheres packed inside the stone in a specific pattern. Light hits that structure and splits into different colors; you tilt the stone and the angle changes, so the color changes with it.  However, not every opal does this, by the way. Play-of-color shows up in precious opal specifically, so seeing the word "opal" on a tag doesn't guarantee you're getting the rainbow effect. Single-colored opals also exist and do not exhibit a flash of color. "Opal" traces back to the Sanskrit word upala, which just meant "precious stone" or "gem" in general, before it passed through Greek as opallios and Latin as opalus on its way into English.  Opal Comes in More Than One "Type” Opals come in many different colors and varieties. White opal has a light body color, while black opal has a darker body that can make its flashes of color stand out more. Boulder opal keeps part of the host rock attached to the stone. Fire opal can appear yellow, orange, or red and may or may not show flashes of color. Because opals can look so different from one stone to another, two gems labeled "opal" may have completely different appearances. You can choose one based on your favorite color, the look you like, or even the outfits you plan to wear it with. So don't shop for the name alone. Look at the actual stone in front of you and choose the one you genuinely like. Is Opal Linked to Bad Luck? No, Sir Walter Scott's 1829 book Anne of Geierstein linked opal to misfortune in a way that stuck in the public imagination, but earlier traditions had tied opal to hope, protection, and good fortune. So the "unlucky" reputation is folklore riding on the back of one popular story, not a property of the gemstone itself. How Tough Is Opal, Actually Opal ranks around 5 to 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it softer than tourmaline and many other gemstones used in fine jewelry. GIA also rates its toughness as poor to fair. But hardness and toughness are not the same thing. Hardness measures how well a gemstone resists scratches, while toughness describes how well it resists breaking, cracking, or chipping from an impact. Because opal is relatively soft and can be damaged by knocks, you need to be more careful when wearing it in a ring, where it is more likely to hit other objects. For everyday wear, pendants and earrings are generally safer choices for opal because they are less exposed to impact. Opal can also be sensitive to heat and sudden temperature changes, which may cause some stones to crack. So it's not that opal is too fragile to wear. It simply rewards a little extra care, especially when you choose jewelry that protects the stone from frequent knocks. Tourmaline: Pick the Color, Not the Trick Tourmaline takes a completely different approach to color. Instead of one stone showing flashes of different colors, tourmaline comes in a huge range of colors, including pink, green, blue, red, yellow, and black. Some crystals can even show more than one color at the same time. Why are there so many options? Tourmaline is actually a group of related minerals rather than one single type of gemstone. Small differences in the elements inside the crystal can change its color. For example, iron and titanium can give tourmaline green or blue tones, while manganese can produce pink, red, or yellow shades. When Dutch traders came across colorful stones in Sri Lanka's gem gravels, they couldn't easily tell the different gemstones apart. They called them "toramalli," a Sinhalese word associated with mixed or different-colored gems. The name stuck and eventually became tourmaline. In a way, the name fits the gemstone perfectly: tourmaline isn't one fixed color or type of stone, but a whole group of gemstones with remarkable variety. That's what makes tourmaline so interesting: you're not choosing from just a few standard colors. You can find a tourmaline in a shade that feels very personal to you. Different Names Of Tourmaline Worth Knowing As we said, tourmaline isn't one single stone but a group of related minerals. Within that group, you'll find different varieties with their own names, usually based on their color or distinctive appearance. Rubellite is the red to reddish-pink variety of tourmaline. Paraíba tourmaline is known for its vivid blue to green colors and bright, almost glowing appearance. Watermelon tourmaline has distinct green and pink zones in the same crystal, creating a pattern that resembles the colors of a watermelon. Green and pink tourmaline can range from soft, pastel shades to much more intense, saturated colors, depending on the individual stone. Chrome tourmaline, colored a deep emerald green by traces of chromium or vanadium, is another variety worth knowing if you want green without reaching for an emerald.  So when you shop for tourmaline, you're not just choosing a color. You're also choosing a particular variety, and each one can give the jewelry a very different look. What Does Tourmaline Symbolize? Tourmaline's associated with strength, balance, and protection. It's a fine reason to choose tourmaline for a meaningful gift; just don't mistake the symbolism and think that wearing it actually does something to you physically or emotionally. Beyond that broad meaning, folk tradition also assigns different meanings to tourmaline depending on its color, similar to how other colored gemstones get color-specific associations.  Pink and red tourmaline (including rubellite) tend to get linked with love and compassion. Green tourmaline with growth and healing Blue tourmaline with calm and clear communication Black tourmaline with grounding and protection specifically These color meanings come from crystal-healing folklore rather than any gemological source, so treat them the same way as the broader symbolism: meaningful if it resonates with you, not a claim about what the stone actually does.  How Tough Is Tourmaline Tourmaline runs 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale, meaningfully harder than opal, and GIA generally considers it fine for everyday jewelry. That doesn't mean it's invincible. It still requires a secure setting. Because hardness protects against scratches, it doesn't protect against a hard knock chipping the stone.  But as an everyday gemstone, it's just built for more wear and tear than opal is. Tourmaline's also the traditional gemstone for an eighth wedding anniversary, according to GIA. Worth considering for an anniversary gift buyer. Matching the Gemstone to the Piece Rings ask the most of a stone, daily knocks against everything from car doors to keyboards, so tourmaline's hardness gives it the edge here. Opal can still work in a ring if the setting protects it and you're willing to take it off before anything rough. Necklaces and pendants are gentler on every gemstone since they mostly just hang there, which is exactly why opal gets to shine in this format; you get the play-of-color without exposing it to daily abuse. Tourmaline works here too, if the color itself is the point of selection. Earrings land somewhere in between, generally low-contact, so it often comes down to which look you're chasing: opal's flash or tourmaline's defined color.  Bracelets see the most contact with hard surfaces of any of these jewelry types- desks, countertops, door frames- so tourmaline is usually the more forgiving pick there too. Buying Either One: What to Actually Look At For opal When choosing an opal, pay attention to three things: Look at the play-of-color: Check how bright the flashes are and how much of the stone they cover. Consider the body color: White, black, boulder, and fire opals can look completely different, so choose the type that matches the look you want. Know what type you're buying: Decide whether you want a solid opal, a doublet, or a triplet. They can look similar at first glance, but they're made differently and require different care. What Is a Doublet or Triplet? A doublet is made by attaching a thin layer of opal to a backing material. A triplet adds a clear protective layer over the top of the opal. Both can be attractive and are generally more affordable than a solid opal. However, because doublets and triplets use layers that are joined together, prolonged exposure to water can affect the adhesive over time. That means you'll need to be a little more careful about how you wear and care for them. For tourmaline Start with color. Look at the hue and how strong the color appears. Then check clarity. Inclusions can lower a stone's value. Next, consider the cut and size. A larger, high-quality tourmaline can become much more expensive as the size increases. Most importantly, don't choose a stone simply because its variety is rare. The rarest tourmaline isn't necessarily the right one for you. The right stone is the one that has the color you love, suits how you plan to wear it, and fits your budget.  Taking Care of October Birthstone Both opal and tourmaline should be cleaned gently with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid harsh cleaners, ultrasonic cleaners, and steam cleaning, as these methods can damage the stones. It's also best to keep both gemstones away from extreme heat and sudden temperature changes. A little gentle care goes a long way in keeping your birthstone looking beautiful. So Which October Birthstone Should You Get Neither stone is better than the other. They simply suit different needs. If you love opal's shifting flashes of color and want a gemstone with an unusual, changing look, opal may be the better choice.  If you already have a specific color in mind, such as pink or blue, and want a stone for a ring you'll wear regularly, tourmaline's greater hardness can make it a more practical option. In short, choose opal for its unique play of color, or tourmaline for its wide color range and greater durability. What matters most Better fit Why Shifting flashes of color Opal Play-of-color changes with the angle One specific color Tourmaline Broadest color range of the two A daily-wear ring Tourmaline Harder, more scratch-resistant Distinctive, one-of-a-kind look Opal Pattern and flash vary stone to stone Low-maintenance jewelry Tourmaline Easier everyday care The older October tradition Opal Longer historical tie to the month What October Birthstones Mean for Libra and Scorpio October falls under two zodiac signs: Libra, which runs until around October 22 or 23, and Scorpio, which follows for the rest of the month. Some astrological traditions pair Libra with opal and Scorpio with tourmaline.  Also Read About: June Birthstone November Birthstone December Birthstone February Birthstone

The hardest part of gifting a necklace isn’t finding a beautiful necklace. It’s finding a necklace that feels right for the person receiving the gift. You may have dozens of necklace styles to choose from: a simple pendant necklace, a diamond solitaire necklace, a birthstone necklace, an initial necklace, a heart necklace, a tennis necklace, or a statement necklace.  The best necklace style for a particular recipient depends less on which necklace looks most impressive in a jewelry case and more on which necklace fits the recipient’s personality, existing jewelry collection, and the reason for giving the gift. A large diamond necklace may be a wonderful gift for someone who regularly wears substantial diamond jewelry, but it could feel completely out of place on someone who prefers a tiny pendant and a fine chain. The goal of giving a necklace as a gift is not to find the most impressive necklace. The goal is to find a necklace the recipient will feel comfortable wearing and happy to keep. What makes a necklace a good gift? A good gift necklace should balance four things: Personal meaning: The necklace should have some connection to the recipient or the occasion. Wearability: The necklace should suit the recipient’s everyday jewelry habits. Occasion: The necklace should feel appropriate for the birthday, anniversary, graduation, holiday, or milestone being celebrated. Quality: The necklace should be crafted from materials and with craftsmanship appropriate for the gift and its intended use. A meaningful necklace doesn’t have to be good-looking. For example, a small birthstone pendant can carry more personal meaning than a much larger necklace chosen simply because it looks expensive.  Similarly, a simple diamond solitaire necklace can feel more appropriate for a recipient who prefers understated jewelry than a large statement necklace. Best necklace styles to gift: a quick comparison Necklace style Why it works as a gift Best suited to Simple pendant necklace Versatile and easy to wear Minimalists and everyday jewelry wearers Solitaire diamond necklace Classic choice Diamond lovers and milestone gifts Birthstone necklace Adds personal meaning Birthday and family gifts Initial necklace Personalized but relatively subtle Recipients who enjoy personalized jewelry Name necklace Highly personal and distinctive Recipients comfortable with personalized pieces Heart necklace Communicates affection clearly Romantic and sentimental gifts Tennis necklace Makes a substantial fine-jewelry statement Diamond lovers and major milestones Classic chain necklace Gives the recipient styling flexibility Minimalists and uncertain style matches Layered necklace Creates a deliberately styled look Recipients who already layer jewelry Statement necklace Makes the necklace a focal point Bold and fashion-forward recipients The best necklace styles to gift Different necklace styles communicate different things. Some are easy to give because they work with many outfits and jewelry collections. Others are more personal or distinctive and therefore require you to know the recipient’s taste more closely. Simple pendant necklace: the safest all-around choice A simple pendant necklace is one of the easiest necklace styles to give when you want something attractive without making a strong assumption about the recipient’s personal style. The pendant can be a small geometric diamond like a marquise, a meaningful symbol like a cross, a polished metal design, or a colored gemstone. A simple pendant necklace can also be worn by itself without requiring the recipient to change the rest of their jewelry. A simple pendant necklace is particularly useful when you know the recipient prefers understated jewelry but don’t know exactly which necklace design the recipient would select. Best for: birthdays, graduations, everyday gifts, sisters, daughters, friends, and recipients who prefer minimalist jewelry. Gift risk: Low Solitaire diamond necklace: classic with more significance A solitaire diamond necklace uses a single diamond as the central feature of the necklace. The single-stone design keeps the necklace visually simple, while the diamond gives the necklace a more sense of luxury. A diamond solitaire necklace can work for an anniversary, milestone birthday, graduation, or another occasion where you want to give fine jewelry without choosing a highly elaborate necklace. The size of the diamond should still reflect the recipient’s usual jewelry style. A recipient who wears delicate earrings and thin chains may prefer a smaller diamond solitaire pendant. A recipient who regularly wears larger diamond jewelry may be comfortable with a more noticeable diamond pendant. Best for: diamond lovers, anniversaries, golden birthdays, graduations, and recipients who prefer classic fine jewelry. Gift risk: Low to medium Birthstone necklace: personal without being too specific A birthstone necklace gives you a straightforward way to make a necklace personal without having to guess at a highly specific fashion preference. The birthstone connects the necklace to the recipient’s birth month, while the necklace design itself can remain simple and versatile. For example, if you want to make a birthday gift feel personal but aren't sure whether the recipient likes initials, names, hearts, or other symbols, you can choose a birthstone pendant in a relatively simple setting. Best for: birthdays, mothers, daughters, sisters, and recipients who appreciate meaningful jewelry. Gift risk: Low to medium Initial or name necklace: highly personal An initial necklace and a name necklace make the recipient’s identity part of the jewelry itself. An initial necklace is generally more subtle because a single letter can blend easily into a delicate necklace design. A full name necklace creates a more noticeable personal statement. Understanding the difference between initial and name necklace is important. You should consider whether the recipient already wears personalized jewelry or tends to prefer classic, non-personalized designs. Personalized jewelry can be meaningful, but personalization also makes the necklace more specific to one person’s taste. If the recipient rarely wears personalized jewelry, a classic pendant necklace may be a safer choice. Best for: birthdays, graduations, daughters, sisters, close friends, and recipients who already enjoy personalized jewelry. Gift risk: Medium Heart necklace: a clear expression of affection A heart necklace is suitable for romantic and sentimental gifts. A small heart pendant can communicate affection without making the necklace overly dramatic. A diamond heart necklace creates a stronger visual statement. It is an appropriate choice for giving a gift on a special occasion. The relationship between you and the recipient matters here. A heart necklace can make a good gift for an anniversary or Valentine’s Day for a partner, while a more understated heart pendant can also work as a sentimental gift between family members. Best for: anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, romantic milestones, and sentimental family gifts. Gift risk: Medium Tennis necklace: for someone who already loves substantial jewelry A tennis necklace features a continuous line of diamonds or gemstones around the neck rather than a single central pendant. That construction gives a tennis necklace a noticeably different appearance from a simple pendant necklace. A tennis necklace has more visual presence and makes a stronger statement. For that reason, a tennis necklace is best chosen when the recipient’s existing jewelry gives you a clear reason to believe the recipient enjoys substantial fine jewelry. If the recipient regularly wears diamond cluster earrings, diamond tennis bracelets, halo rings, or substantial necklaces, a tennis necklace can be a fitting choice for a major celebration. If the recipient usually wears tiny pendants and delicate chains, a tennis necklace may feel disconnected from the recipient’s normal style. Best for: serious jewelry lovers, milestone anniversaries, major celebrations, and recipients who already wear substantial diamond jewelry. Gift risk: High when the recipient’s style is unknown Classic chain necklace: Simple and versatile A classic chain necklace can be a particularly useful gift when the recipient’s necklace preferences are difficult to determine. A chain necklace can be worn by itself, paired with a pendant, or layered with other necklaces. That flexibility gives the recipient more control over how the necklace becomes part of their wardrobe. Best for: minimalists, everyday jewelry wearers, and if you are unsure about the recipient’s pendant preferences. Gift risk: Low Layered necklace: for someone who already likes wearing multiple necklaces A layered necklace combines multiple chains, pendants, or necklace lengths to create a deliberately styled look. This necklace style works particularly well for recipients who already wear two or three necklaces together.  Layered necklaces are less predictable for someone who normally wears one necklace at a time. Layering is a styling preference, so this necklace style is better chosen from evidence rather than assumption. Best for: fashion-conscious recipients and people who already enjoy necklace layering. Gift risk: Medium to high Statement necklace: memorable but highly style-dependent A statement necklace can make a memorable gift because the necklace itself becomes a noticeable part of an outfit. Large pendants, bold chains, unusual shapes, colorful gemstones, and dramatic designs all fall into this category. The same qualities that make a statement necklace exciting also make the necklace more difficult to give without knowing the recipient’s taste. You should choose a statement necklace when the recipient already wears bold jewelry rather than assuming that a more dramatic necklace will feel more special. Best for: fashion-forward recipients and people who regularly wear bold jewelry. Gift risk: High when the recipient’s style is unknown How to match a necklace style to the recipient’s jewelry personality The recipient’s existing jewelry collection can tell you more about suitable necklace styles than a list of current jewelry trends. Before choosing a particular necklace, look at four details. Start with the metal the recipient already wears Does the recipient regularly wear yellow gold, white gold, or another metal? Existing jewelry is usually a better clue to metal preference than trying to select a metal based on skin tone. If most of the recipient’s rings, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces are yellow gold, a yellow-gold necklace is a natural starting point. If the recipient’s jewelry collection is primarily white metal, a white-gold necklace may blend more naturally with the pieces the recipient already owns. If the recipient regularly combines different metals, you have more freedom to choose a mixed-metal or contrasting necklace. Match the necklace scale to the recipient’s usual jewelry The size and visual weight of the recipient’s existing jewelry can reveal what type of necklace will feel comfortable. A recipient who wears tiny stud earrings, thin rings, and fine chains may find a large statement pendant too heavy-looking for their usual style. A recipient who regularly wears bold rings, thick bracelets, or substantial chains may find an extremely delicate necklace too simple. You don’t need to copy an existing necklace exactly. The goal is to understand the general scale of jewelry the recipient already feels comfortable wearing. Check the necklace lengths the recipient already owns Necklace length affects where the necklace sits on the body and how the necklace works with clothing and other jewelry. A shorter necklace sits closer to the neck, while a longer necklace falls farther down the chest. The pendant size and chain style can also change how a particular length looks. An 18-inch necklace is a versatile starting point for many designs, but an 18-inch necklace is not automatically the right length for every recipient. Notice the details the recipient repeatedly chooses The smallest patterns in a jewelry collection can reveal the biggest recipient’s preferences. Does the recipient repeatedly choose: Geometric pendants? Hearts or meaningful symbols? Diamonds? Colored gemstones? Initials or personalized designs? Fine chains? Bold chains? Single necklaces? Layered necklaces? These patterns can help you move from “Which necklace looks beautiful?” to “Which necklace looks like something this recipient would actually choose?” How to choose a necklace when the recipient’s style is unknown When you know very little about the recipient’s jewelry preferences, the safest approach is to reduce the number of assumptions built into the necklace. This simple rule will help you in this scenario: The less you know about the recipient’s style, the more versatile the necklace should be. A simple pendant necklace or classic chain necklace gives the recipient plenty of freedom when styling the necklace. A highly personalized name necklace, oversized statement necklace, or very distinctive trend-driven design makes a much stronger assumption about the recipient’s taste. You can also look beyond jewelry for clues. Clothing, watches, handbags, and accessories can reveal whether the recipient generally prefers minimalist, classic, romantic, modern, or bold designs. If those clues still aren’t clear, a simple necklace design gives the recipient more ways to make the gift work with their existing wardrobe. How to choose the right necklace length for a gift Necklace length changes both the position of the necklace on the neckline and the way the necklace interacts with clothing and other jewelry. A shorter necklace creates a closer-to-the-neck appearance. A longer necklace sits lower on the chest and can create a different visual balance, particularly when paired with a larger pendant. If you cannot ask the recipient about necklace length without ruining the surprise, an existing necklace is the best reference. If the recipient has a necklace they wear regularly, then you can check the length of a necklace that the recipient uses to wear everyday. How much should you spend on a necklace? The appropriate necklace budget depends on the relationship between you and the recipient, the occasion, your finances, and the type of necklace being considered. A birthday necklace does not need to cost the same as an anniversary necklace. A higher-priced necklace also does not guarantee that the recipient will prefer the necklace. A better starting point is to decide what the necklace needs to accomplish. Are you looking for: An everyday necklace? A meaningful birthday gift? A romantic anniversary gift? A diamond gift? A milestone piece? A small gesture with personal meaning? Once the purpose of the necklace is clear, you can compare necklace styles, materials, gemstones, and craftsmanship within a comfortable budget.  If deciding how much to spend is still difficult, our engagement ring budget guide explains how to set a jewelry budget, assess what is comfortable to spend, and balance budget with quality. Although the guide focuses on engagement rings, the same budgeting principles can help you decide how much to set aside for a meaningful jewelry gift. What if the recipient rarely wears necklaces? This is one of the most important questions you can ask before purchasing a necklace. A beautiful necklace that stays in a jewelry box is not necessarily a successful gift simply because the necklace was expensive or meaningful. If the recipient rarely wears necklaces but regularly wears earrings, rings, or bracelets, another jewelry category may fit the recipient better. If you still want to give a necklace, a lightweight and simple necklace design is generally easier to incorporate into everyday dressing than a large or highly specific necklace. The purpose of a jewelry gift is not to encourage the recipient to change their style. The purpose is to give the recipient something that fits naturally into the way they already dress. Also Read: How To Choose a Diamond Heart Necklace For Push Present Men’s Diamond Pendant Styling Guide Ring Holder Necklaces How To Choose a Gold Chain How To Choose a Cross Necklace

If you were born in December, you have more than one birthstone to choose from. Turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon are the three gemstones recognized by major gemological and jewelry-industry references, and each gives you a very different look and wearing experience. Turquoise brings an amazing blue-green color and centuries of history. Tanzanite is prized for its blue-violet color and the way its hues can shift as you view it from different directions. Zircon is the sparkler of the three, with strong brilliance and fire. So which December birthstone is right for you? That depends less on the color you love, how you plan to wear the jewelry, and how much care you're willing to give it. What Is the December Birthstone? December has three recognized birthstones: turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon. Turquoise is the traditional December birthstone, while tanzanite and zircon are the alternative December birthstones.  That variety is what makes choosing a December birthstone interesting. You're not choosing between three versions of the same blue gemstone. You're choosing between an opaque blue-green stone, a transparent blue-violet gem, and a highly brilliant gemstone that comes in several colors.  December's birthstones also overlap with two zodiac signs, Sagittarius and Capricorn, both of which fall within the December month.  December birthstones at a glance Birthstone Typical December color Mohs hardness Appearance Best suited to Turquoise Blue to green 5–6 Opaque to semi-translucent, sometimes with matrix Pendants, earrings, statement jewelry, protected rings Tanzanite Blue to violet 6–7 Transparent, blue-violet, often pleochroic Earrings and pendants, occasional-wear rings Zircon Blue, plus many other colors 6–7.5 Transparent, brilliant, high fire Earrings, pendants, and carefully worn rings Turquoise: December's Classic Blue-Green Birthstone Turquoise is the December birthstone you can usually recognize without being told what you're looking at. Its color ranges from blue to green, and it is opaque or semi-translucent rather than transparent.  Some turquoise contains dark veins or patches called a matrix, which are remnants of the rock in which the turquoise formed. That is why two turquoise stones can have different patterns and colors. Turquoise Meaning and Symbolism Across different cultures and periods, turquoise has been associated with protection, good fortune, peace, and well-being. Its history stretches back thousands of years, with evidence of turquoise being used in ancient Egypt. The name itself comes from the French for "Turkish stone," a nod to the trade routes that first brought it to Europe rather than its place of origin.  That long history gives turquoise a character the other December birthstones don't quite share. If you prefer jewelry with an organic, natural look rather than a highly polished and uniform appearance, turquoise has a distinctive appeal. Is Turquoise Durable Enough for Everyday Jewelry? Turquoise has a Mohs hardness of about 5 to 6, so it is considerably softer than diamond and many gemstones commonly used in everyday jewelry. It can also be porous, which makes it more sensitive to chemicals, cosmetics, oils, perspiration, heat, and some treatments. That doesn't mean you can't wear turquoise regularly. It simply means the jewelry needs a little more care. A turquoise pendant or pair of earrings is generally easier to wear regularly because these pieces are less exposed to knocks and abrasion than rings.  Some turquoise is stabilized with resin to improve its durability and appearance. Though not all turquoise is treated this way, so if you're comparing stones, it's worth asking the jeweler whether the turquoise has been stabilized and what treatment it has received. Tanzanite: The Rare Blue-Violet December Birthstone Tanzanite looks completely different from turquoise. Instead of an opaque blue-green surface, it gives you a transparent blue-to-violet color with a quality called pleochroism. Pleochroism means the gemstone can show different colors when viewed from different directions. That's one reason tanzanite can appear more blue in one position and more violet in another. It is also one of the most geographically distinctive gemstones in the December birthstone trio. Tanzanite is found in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania, near Mount Kilimanjaro, and the gemstone was discovered there in 1967. In fact, tanzanite is mined in this one location and nowhere else on Earth,  a rarity that leads many gemologists to consider it scarcer than diamond. Is tanzanite naturally blue? Rough tanzanite is commonly found in a brownish zoisite. Much of the tanzanite sold in the jewelry market is heat-treated to develop its familiar blue-violet color.  Heat treatment can sound alarming if you're unfamiliar with gemstone treatments, but treatment does not make a gemstone fake.  Tanzanite meaning Modern birthstone symbolism commonly associates tanzanite with transformation and new beginnings. Those associations fit the gemstone's story: a relatively recent discovery, a geographically limited source, and a color that can seem to move between blue and violet. If you're giving tanzanite as a birthday gift, that symbolism can make the stone feel particularly personal for someone entering a new chapter. Is tanzanite good for everyday wear? This is the area where tanzanite needs a little more attention. Tanzanite has a Mohs hardness of roughly 6 to 7, but hardness is only a measure of resistance to scratching. GIA recommends tanzanite primarily for earrings and pendants because the stone can abrade easily and may be damaged by impact or sudden temperature changes.  Therefore, daily-wear tanzanite rings require considerably more caution. Though a tanzanite ring can still make sense for occasional wear, especially when the stone has a protective setting, and you take it off for activities that could expose it to hard knocks. Zircon: The Sparkling December Birthstone Zircon is the December birthstone that will please you if you love a sparkle. Natural zircon occurs in a wide range of colors, including blue, red, orange, yellow, brown, green, and colorless. Blue zircon is especially associated with December, while colorless zircon is known for its strong brilliance and fire. Its optical properties are what make it stand out. Zircon has a high refractive index, so a well-cut stone can produce lively flashes of light and noticeable fire. Is zircon a real gemstone? Yes. Zircon is a natural gemstone. It is a naturally occurring mineral that is mined and cut for jewelry. Sometimes its name creates confusion between zircon and cubic zirconia (CZ), but the two are entirely different materials. Zircon vs. cubic zirconia Natural Zircon Cubic Zirconia What is it? Natural gemstone Lab-created diamond simulant Origin Naturally formed and mined Manufactured Appearance High brilliance and fire Very brilliant, often used as a diamond alternative Chemical composition Zirconium silicate Zirconium dioxide December birthstone? Yes No Is zircon durable? Hardness of Zircon ranges from 6 to 7.5 on the Mohs hardness scale, but its wearability isn't determined by hardness alone. It can be prone to abrasion, particularly around facet edges, and some zircon can be brittle enough that hard knocks may cause damage. That makes zircon more versatile than tanzanite for many jewelry applications. Zircon meaning Traditionally, zircon is associated with wisdom, prosperity, and peace. For someone who wants the symbolism but also wants a gemstone with obvious visual sparkle, zircon can be an appealing choice. How Are the Three December Birthstones Different? The easiest way to understand the December birthstones is to stop thinking of them as three interchangeable blue gems. Turquoise is about color and character: Its blue-green surface is opaque, often with natural matrix, and it's known for its organic appearance and long history. Tanzanite is about color depth and movement: Its transparent blue-violet appearance and pleochroism are its identity. Zircon is about sparkle: Its brilliance and fire make it the obvious choice for someone who wants a December birthstone with a more traditional faceted-gemstone appearance. How to Choose the Right December Birthstone for You Instead of asking which December birthstone is "best," the better question you should ask is “which stone works best for the piece of jewelry you have in mind?” Choose turquoise if you want: Blue-green color natural gemstone  An opaque gemstone rather than a sparkly transparent one Historical depth and traditional symbolism A stone that looks distinctive even in a simple setting Choose tanzanite if you want: Blue-violet color gemstone A transparent gemstone with changing visual nuances A gemstone with a geographic origin A meaningful gift associated with transformation or a new beginning Choose zircon if you want: Higher brilliance and fire Blue color with faceted, sparkling appearance More color choices beyond blue How to Care for December Birthstone Jewelry Clean them gently with warm, soapy water and a soft cloth. Avoid steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners, and keep the stone away from harsh chemicals, acids, excessive heat, cosmetics, and prolonged exposure to substances that can discolor or damage it. There is also a practical habit that matters: take gemstone jewelry off before activities where it can be knocked, scratched, exposed to chemicals, or subjected to unnecessary heat. Store pieces separately when possible, particularly faceted zircon gemstones that could scratch or abrade against other jewelry. December Birthstone Jewelry Makes a Personal Birthday Gift A birthstone gift becomes more thoughtful when you choose the stone that the person might love rather than simply choosing "the December stone." Someone who wears vintage-inspired jewelry, or distinctive statement pieces, may naturally gravitate toward turquoise.  Someone who prefers elegant blue gemstones may love tanzanite.  And if their jewelry box is full of diamond jewelry, zircon deserves serious consideration. Choosing Your December Birthstone Having three December birthstones isn't a problem to solve. It's a choice to enjoy.  A birthstone is personal by definition. You don't need to choose the one that is supposedly "best." Choose the one that looks right to you, and then make sure the jewelry around it is designed for the life you expect it to live. Also Read: June Birthstone November Birthstone February Birthstone