December Birthstone Turquoise: Meaning, Colour and Care
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Time to read 5 min
With its sky blue to sea green colour, turquoise is one of the oldest and most recognisable December birthstones. It has been treasured for thousands of years as a stone of protection, and its earthy beauty still feels fresh today.
This guide covers what turquoise looks like, what it means, how it compares with other December stones and how to care for it so your jewellery stays beautiful.
Turquoise is a traditional December birthstone, alongside tanzanite and zircon.
It ranges from sky blue to green, often with natural veining called matrix.
It has long been linked with protection, good fortune and calm.
At around 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, it is porous and needs gentle care.
Table of contents
Is Turquoise a December Birthstone? What Turquoise Looks Like Turquoise Meaning and Symbolism How It Compares With Other December Birthstones How to Judge Turquoise Quality Is Turquoise Durable Enough for Everyday Wear? How to Style Your December Birthstone A Meaningful December Birthday Gift How to Care for Turquoise Jewellery Shop Turquoise Jewellery at Indie and Harper Turquoise FAQs
Is Turquoise a December Birthstone?
Yes. Turquoise is a traditional December birthstone, and modern lists also include tanzanite and zircon. Of the three, it is the oldest and most historically significant choice.
December Birthstone Options
- Turquoise: opaque sky blue to green, earthy and bohemian
- Tanzanite: transparent blue-violet, rare and elegant
- Zircon: bright sparkle in many colours, including blue
Read our guide to December birthstones to compare them in more detail.
What Turquoise Looks Like
This stone is usually sky blue, blue-green or green. Its colour comes from copper and iron in its mineral makeup, with more copper giving a bluer tone and more iron a greener one.
Colour and Matrix
- Robin's egg blue: an even, clear sky blue
- Blue-green: a soft, earthy shade
- Matrix: brown, black or golden veining from the host rock
Unlike transparent gems, it is opaque, so its colour and pattern are the star of every piece.
Turquoise Meaning and Symbolism
Few gemstones have such a long and rich history. It has been used in jewellery and amulets across many cultures, from ancient Egypt and Persia to the American Southwest.
Common Associations
- Protection: traditionally worn as a protective talisman
- Good fortune: long seen as a stone of luck and success
- Calm: its soothing colour is linked with peace and balance
- Friendship: a popular gift between loved ones
These meanings come from cultural traditions rather than measurable properties, so wear it simply because you love it, too. Learn more in our turquoise meaning guide.
How It Compares With Other December Birthstones
December is lucky to have three birthstones, each with a very different look.
| Stone | Appearance | Durability | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turquoise | Opaque blue to green, often with matrix | Softer and porous | Boho and earthy |
| Tanzanite | Transparent blue-violet | Softer, needs gentle wear | Elegant and refined |
| Zircon | Transparent, often bright blue | Can chip at facet edges | Sparkling |
If you love a natural, earthy look, this is the December stone for you. Prefer something more refined? See our tanzanite guide.
How to Judge Turquoise Quality
Quality is usually judged by colour, pattern and finish. There is no single best look, as it depends on your personal taste.
What to Look For
- An even, saturated blue for a clean, classic look
- Natural matrix if you love character and contrast
- A smooth, well-polished surface
- A protective setting, such as a bezel, that guards the edges
Many stones are stabilised to make them more durable, which is common practice. Our authentic Navajo turquoise guide explains more.
Is Turquoise Durable Enough for Everyday Wear?
This gem sits at around 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale, so it is softer than many popular gemstones. It is also porous, which means it can absorb oils, lotions and water.
Best Ways to Wear It
- Necklaces and earrings are ideal, as they avoid most bumps
- Rings are beautiful, but remove them for hands-on tasks
- Bezel settings protect the stone from knocks
How to Style Your December Birthstone
Turquoise brings a pop of colour to any outfit and pairs beautifully with both silver and gold.
Styling Ideas
- Sterling silver gives a classic, Southwestern-inspired look
- Gold feels warm and summery, perfect for beach days
- Let one ring or pendant stand out against white, cream or denim
- Layer with dainty chains for a relaxed boho stack
For bold, handmade pieces, explore our guide to Navajo jewellery.
A Meaningful December Birthday Gift
A December birthstone makes a thoughtful present for birthdays, Christmas and the start of a new year.
Thoughtful Gift Ideas
- Dainty studs for an easy everyday gift
- A pendant for a December birthday or milestone
- An authentic handmade Navajo ring for someone who loves bold, meaningful pieces
- A Sagittarius or Capricorn zodiac necklace paired with a December stone
Every piece arrives gift-ready. Find more ideas in our birthstone meaning guide.
How to Care for Turquoise Jewellery
Because it is soft and porous, a little extra care goes a long way.
- Wipe with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth
- Avoid ultrasonic cleaners, steam and harsh chemicals
- Keep away from perfume, lotion, sunscreen and household cleaners
- Remove before swimming, showering or exercise
- Store separately to avoid scratches
Put it on last and take it off first to keep its colour bright for longer. See our jewellery care guide for more tips.
Shop Turquoise Jewellery at Indie and Harper
Our December collection features natural turquoise in 925 sterling silver, from dainty everyday pieces to authentic handmade Navajo rings. Each piece arrives gift-ready, perfect for December birthdays and Christmas.
Explore our turquoise jewellery or the full December birthstone collection.
Turquoise FAQs
Is turquoise a December birthstone?
Yes. It is a traditional December birthstone, with tanzanite and zircon also included on modern lists.
What colour is turquoise?
It ranges from sky blue to blue-green and green, often with natural brown, black or golden matrix.
What does turquoise symbolise?
It has long been linked with protection, good fortune, calm and friendship across many cultures.
Is turquoise a hard gemstone?
No. It is around 5 to 6 on the Mohs scale and porous, so it needs gentler wear than harder gems.
Can turquoise get wet?
It is best to avoid water, soap, chlorine and salt water, as the porous stone can absorb them and change colour over time.
How do I clean turquoise jewellery?
Wipe it gently with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth, and avoid chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners.
What is the best turquoise jewellery for every day?
Necklaces and earrings are the easiest everyday choices, as they are less exposed to knocks than rings.
