December (Blue Zircon)

Blue zircon is one of the US birthstones for December, the alternative is turquoise. Today, blue topaz is often used as a substitute for December’s birthstone because it has a similar color and lower price, however it is not the original birthstone.

Natural zircon currently suffers on account of the similarity of its name to cubic zirconia, the laboratory-grown diamond imitation. Many people are unaware that there is a beautiful natural gemstone called zircon.

Zircon occurs in a wide range of colors, however the most common color is a distinctive greenish blue shade. Mined in Cambodia, Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar, it has a hardness of 6 to 7 1/2 on Mohs hardness scale.

In the middle ages, zircon was a must for travelers because it was considered a powerful protection against wounds, plagues and evil spirits. It was said to increase its wearer’s riches by giving him wisdom with which to conduct his finances. It was also thought to promote honor and aid sleep.