Tanzanite Is What Birthstone: Complete Guide

If you have come across tanzanite while researching gemstones or shopping for jewelry, you may be wondering tanzanite is what birthstone exactly. The answer is December, making tanzanite one of three official birthstones for that month, alongside turquoise and zircon. Despite being a relatively recent addition to the birthstone list compared to stones with centuries of tradition, tanzanite has quickly become one of the most beloved gems associated with December.

In this guide, we will explore how tanzanite earned its place as a December birthstone, what makes this gem so unique, and how to choose and care for tanzanite jewelry. If you love the idea of adding a rare, richly colored stone to your collection, our Stone Collection features a variety of natural gemstone jewelry worth exploring.

What Is Tanzanite

Tanzanite is a blue to violet variety of the mineral zoisite, and as its name suggests, it is found in only one place on earth, near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. This extreme geographic rarity is part of what makes tanzanite so remarkable. Unlike many gemstones that are mined across multiple countries or regions, tanzanite comes from a single, relatively small mining area, which significantly limits its overall supply.

Tanzanite was discovered in 1967, making it a fairly recent addition to the world of gemstones compared to stones like sapphire or ruby, which have been mined and treasured for thousands of years. Its striking blue purple color and distinctive origin quickly caught the attention of the jewelry world, leading to its eventual recognition as an official birthstone.

Tanzanite Is What Birthstone: The December Connection

Tanzanite was officially added to the list of December birthstones in 2002 by the American Gem Trade Association, making it the first birthstone addition in over 50 years at the time. This update aimed to modernize the birthstone list and highlight tanzanite's growing popularity, particularly as a more accessible alternative to blue sapphire, which shares a similar color palette but comes at a significantly higher price point for comparable quality.

Before tanzanite's addition, December's birthstone list included turquoise and zircon, both of which have much longer histories as recognized birthstones. Tanzanite joined these two stones rather than replacing them, giving December three official birthstone options, similar to how other months like August and June also feature multiple choices.

Why Tanzanite Was Added as a Birthstone

The addition of tanzanite to the December birthstone list reflects a broader trend of updating birthstone traditions to include newer, increasingly popular gemstones. A few key factors contributed to this decision.

• Its distinctive color. Tanzanite's blue to violet hue, often described as a mix between sapphire and amethyst, offered something visually unique that was not already well represented among existing December birthstones.
• Its rarity. Because tanzanite is mined in only one location, its limited supply has contributed to its desirability and helped establish its reputation as a valuable, sought after gemstone.
• Industry interest. The jewelry industry has historically played a role in shaping birthstone lists, and promoting tanzanite as a birthstone helped introduce this relatively new gem to a wider audience.

Together, these factors helped tanzanite secure its place as one of the three official December birthstones within just a few decades of its discovery.

Tanzanite Color and Characteristics

One of the most distinctive features of tanzanite is its pleochroism, meaning the stone can display different colors when viewed from different angles. Depending on the lighting and angle, tanzanite can appear blue, violet, or even a burgundy tone, making each stone appear slightly different depending on how it catches the light.

Most tanzanite used in jewelry is heat treated to enhance and stabilize its blue violet color, a standard and widely accepted practice within the gem industry. Untreated tanzanite is significantly rarer and tends to display a more brownish tone in its natural state before treatment.

In terms of hardness, tanzanite ranks around 6 to 7 on the Mohs scale, making it softer than stones like sapphire or diamond. This means tanzanite jewelry requires a bit more care to avoid scratches or damage, particularly for pieces worn frequently like rings.

Comparing Tanzanite to Other December Birthstones

Since December has three official birthstones, it can be helpful to understand how tanzanite compares to turquoise and zircon, the other two stones associated with the month.

• Turquoise is an opaque blue green stone with a history spanning thousands of years across multiple cultures. Unlike tanzanite's transparent, faceted appearance, turquoise is typically cut into cabochons and often features natural matrix veining.
• Zircon is a naturally occurring transparent gemstone available in a range of colors, though blue zircon is most commonly associated with December. Zircon has a brilliant, high refractive index, giving it noticeable sparkle, and it has been used in jewelry for centuries.
• Tanzanite, by comparison, offers a rich, saturated blue violet color with notable pleochroism, along with the added appeal of extreme rarity due to its single source location.

Each stone offers a different aesthetic and price point, giving December babies a range of options depending on personal style and budget.

Tanzanite Versus Sapphire

Tanzanite is frequently compared to blue sapphire due to their overlapping color range. Both stones can display similar blue to violet tones, leading some buyers to consider tanzanite as a more affordable alternative to sapphire.

However, the two stones differ significantly in hardness and durability. Sapphire ranks a 9 on the Mohs hardness scale, making it one of the most durable gemstones available and well suited for daily wear items like engagement rings. Tanzanite's lower hardness rating means it generally requires more careful handling and is often better suited for earrings, pendants, or occasional wear pieces rather than rings worn every single day.

Choosing Quality Tanzanite

If you are shopping for tanzanite jewelry, a few factors can help you evaluate quality.

• Color saturation. The most valuable tanzanite typically displays a deep, vivid blue violet color. Paler or more washed out stones are generally considered lower quality.
• Clarity. Like most gemstones, tanzanite is evaluated based on the visibility of internal inclusions. Eye clean stones, meaning inclusions are not visible without magnification, are generally more desirable.
• Cut. A well executed cut enhances tanzanite's natural pleochroism and color depth, making the cutting process particularly important for this stone compared to some others.
• Carat weight. Because tanzanite is only found in one location, larger stones are increasingly rare and tend to command significantly higher prices per carat compared to smaller stones.

Caring for Tanzanite Jewelry

Because tanzanite is softer than many other popular gemstones, proper care is important to keep it looking beautiful over time. A few simple guidelines can help protect your tanzanite jewelry.

Avoid wearing tanzanite during activities that could expose it to impact or abrasion, such as heavy exercise or manual labor. Remove tanzanite jewelry before swimming or showering, since exposure to chemicals and prolonged moisture can affect the stone over time. Store tanzanite separately from harder gemstones to prevent scratching, and clean it gently with a soft cloth rather than ultrasonic cleaners, which can potentially damage the stone.

With appropriate care, tanzanite jewelry can remain a treasured piece for many years, retaining its distinctive color and brilliance.

Why Tanzanite Makes a Meaningful December Gift

Beyond its striking appearance, tanzanite's rarity adds a layer of meaning for those born in December. Because tanzanite is mined in only one location on earth, and some experts believe the existing deposits could be depleted within the coming decades, owning tanzanite jewelry carries a sense of exclusivity that few other gemstones can offer.

This combination of rarity, striking color, and relatively recent birthstone status makes tanzanite a particularly meaningful gift for December birthdays, especially for those looking for something a bit more unique than more traditional birthstone options.

Final Thoughts

So, tanzanite is what birthstone exactly? It is one of three official birthstones for December, joining turquoise and zircon as a modern addition that reflects tanzanite's striking beauty and remarkable rarity. Since its discovery in 1967 and its formal recognition as a birthstone in 2002, tanzanite has quickly become a favorite among December babies looking for a distinctive, richly colored gemstone.

Whether you are shopping for yourself or someone else born in December, tanzanite offers a compelling combination of rarity, beauty, and modern significance that continues to grow in popularity each year.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When did tanzanite become an official birthstone?

Tanzanite was officially added to the December birthstone list in 2002 by the American Gem Trade Association.

2. What color is tanzanite?

Tanzanite typically displays a blue to violet color and is known for pleochroism, meaning it can show different color tones depending on the viewing angle.

3. Is tanzanite more affordable than sapphire?

Tanzanite is often more affordable than comparable quality sapphire, though pricing depends on factors like color saturation, clarity, and carat weight.

4. Can tanzanite be worn every day?

Because tanzanite is softer than stones like sapphire, it is generally better suited for occasional wear pieces like earrings or pendants rather than daily wear rings.