Birthstones
December Birthstone: Feroza and Tanzanite دسمبر
In short: December's birthstones in our range are Feroza (turquoise) and tanzanite. Feroza is an opaque sky-blue stone worn across Iran, Central Asia and Pakistan for centuries, while tanzanite is a transparent violet-blue gem found commercially in one small area of Tanzania. Both are softer than sapphire, so they suit pendants and rings worn with care.
December's birthstones in our range are Feroza (turquoise) and tanzanite. Feroza is an opaque sky-blue stone worn across Iran, Central Asia and Pakistan for centuries. Tanzanite is a transparent violet-blue gem found commercially in one small area of Tanzania. Both are softer than sapphire, so they suit pendants and rings worn with care. Zircon is a third December stone on the modern list.
- Month
- December
- Birthstones
- Feroza (turquoise), tanzanite
- Urdu name
- Feroza
- Colours
- Sky blue; violet-blue
- Mohs hardness
- Feroza 5–6; tanzanite 6–6.5
- Usual treatment
- Feroza stabilised; tanzanite heated (disclosed)
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
Reviewed on
Traditional belief vs gemmology: anything on this page about luck, protection, planets, healing or religious tradition describes traditional and cultural beliefs — not proven effects, religious rulings or medical advice. A stone's identity, hardness, treatment and origin are gemmology, which a lab can test; the references at the end of the page cover that side.
Meaning and history
The name Feroza comes from Persian, and Persian turquoise from the Nishapur region has long been the most admired. Feroza rings are worn widely in Pakistan, and many families regard it as a stone of protection and good fortune; our Feroza page covers its place in the region's traditions. Tanzanite is a modern gem by comparison. It was found in the 1960s and added to the December list in 2002.
Choosing Feroza
- Colour. An even, clear sky blue is the most valued. Greenish tones cost less.
- Matrix. Dark veins of host rock are natural and some buyers like them. A clean blue with no matrix is rarer.
- Treatment. Much turquoise is stabilised to harden it. That should be disclosed, as we do.
Choosing tanzanite
Tanzanite shows blue, violet and sometimes burgundy depending on the angle. A deep violet-blue is the most prized, and colour gets stronger with size. It should be clean to the eye. Most tanzanite is heated to bring out the blue, which is standard. Browse Feroza, tanzanite and the deep blue of Lajward (lapis lazuli).
Real or fake: what to check
- Dyed howlite and magnesite are the commonest fake Feroza. Colour gathers in cracks, and a chip shows a white inside.
- Plastic and reconstituted turquoise feel light and look too even.
- Glass and synthetic look-alikes are sold as tanzanite. Real tanzanite changes clearly between blue and violet as you turn it.
- A certificate is available on request, and independent lab testing can be arranged.
Read reading Feroza and December birthstones compared.
Care
Feroza is porous. Keep it away from oils, attar, soap, cosmetics and long soaking, and wipe it dry after wudu or washing hands. Tanzanite is 6–6.5 on the Mohs scale; avoid knocks, sudden temperature changes and ultrasonic cleaners. Read tanzanite in tradition and practice.
A December gift
December is the peak of the winter wedding season, and a Feroza ring is a long-standing gift for a groom, father or brother. Tanzanite's violet-blue suits a bride who wants something less common, and either stone makes a thoughtful gift for a December birthday or Eid.
References
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