December Birthstone Rings: How to Match with Blue

The earliest use of birthstones dates back to the Biblical depictions describing the use of 12 different stones to represent the 12 tribes of Israel. The modern tradition of wearing a single gemstone to represent one’s month of birth started in Poland or Germany in the 16th century. 

Birthstones became part of trade routes between the East and West and grew in popularity. They were valued because it was thought that certain birthstones may have bestowed certain powers or protective properties upon their wearers.

December birthstone rings today have become popular ways to style jewelry. But you may not know all of the different ways you can accessorize December birthstone rings with your outfits.

In this guide, we’ll give you tips and tricks for how you can show off your December birthstone rings. Keep reading to discover more information. 

What Are the Birthstones for December?

December is one of the few months, aside from June, that has three official birthstones assigned to it. The reasoning behind this is that the original birthstone has now become too rare to find or too costly to afford. It is also believed in some cultures, that certain stones may have negative effects or bad luck associated with them. 

The primary birthstone for December is turquoise. The two alternate birthstones are zircon and tanzanite. Other sources even add an unofficial fourth one to the expanding list of December birthstones with the blue topaz stone.

All four December birthstones contain varying shades of blue tones. This means your options for December birthstone rings will have so many great possibilities for accessorizing with your wardrobe.

Playing around with different textures and metal tones is also a fun way to incorporate December birthstone rings into your jewelry accessories.

Let’s take a look at some of the attributes and meanings of each stone below for more information.

Turquoise

Turquoise became the official December birthstone in 1912. It replaced lapis lazuli and ruby as the previous December birthstones. Turquoise has been utilized by ancient cultures for thousands of years in jewelry and sculpture design.

Turquoise primarily comes in a bluish-green to robin’s egg blue coloring. Some features of a turquoise stone include veins of rich shimmering copper deposits and flecks of brown and black throughout its cerulean blue surface. These patterns and designs further add to the appeal of the stone and give it a unique textured look.

Turquoise forms from aluminum and copper seeping through the cracks in rocks. When enough cracks in the rock fill, it creates chunks of turquoise deposits. One of the largest pieces of turquoise found was a 245 lb. boulder in 1982 in Arkansas. 

Turquoise can be found in the Southwest region of the United States, Egypt, Israel, Iran, and Mexico. The word turquoise is a French word meaning “stone from Turkey” in the 13th century because it was imported from Turkey to Western Europe at the time. Turquoise is also the 11th anniversary stone.

Turquoise is a porous mineral with a Mohs Hardness Scale rating averaging between 5-6. After turquoise is mined, it is cut, polished, and treated to increase durability for use in jewelry such as December birthstone rings.

A turquoise stone has been long thought to possess powers of protection for the wearer. Turquoise also represents wisdom, peace, luck, hope, and good fortune. Its tranquil blue coloring is calming and soothing. 

Zircon

Zircon is one of the oldest materials on earth, dating back over 4.4 million years. The first instance of zircon was found in Australia. Zircon became a secondary December birthstone in 1952 and is also the designated stone for a 4 year anniversary.

Zircon minerals are formed when silicon, zirconium, and oxygen crystallize in metamorphic rock formations and magma. Repeated heating and cooling over time add new outer layers to the crystals. This process is similar to adding multiple coats of paint on top of one another.

Zircon comes in a variety of different colors and actually brownish or red in color. Their color also depends on certain conditions from when they were formed. For December’s birthstone, zircons receive heat treatment to achieve a blue coloring that resembles that of an Aquamarine.

Zircons are semiprecious stones. They have a brilliance and a fire that can rival that of a natural diamond. Zircons can refract light and may even appear to change color when viewed from different angles.

Zircon is found in mines in Australia, Korea, Cambodia, Brazil, and Burma. It rates between 6 and 7 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Zircon and cubic zirconia are not the same as cubic zirconia is a synthetic diamond simulant and zircon is a naturally occurring gemstone. 

In the middle ages, zircon was thought to possess powers of protection from death, poison, and other harm. It could promote prosperity, self-confidence, and good sleep. Zircons brought wisdom and represented honor, wisdom, and compassion.

Tanzanite

Tanzanites are known for their dazzling blue and violet tones. Tanzanites were not added as a secondary December birthstone option until around 2002. Tanzanites are the designated 24th wedding anniversary stone. 

Tanzanite got its name because it is only found in the Tanzania region of East Africa. Tanzanite stones came about due to the first eruption of Mount Kilimanjaro. They were discovered around 1967 when a fire around Kilamajaro’s base burned away the soil and vegetation to reveal the stones.

More valuable tanzanites are a deeper blue-violet color, while less expensive tanzanite stones are a paler purple. A tanzanite stone rates at a 6.5 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Tanzanites reflect the light from different angles and show different tones of blues and purples.

Tanzanites are not as plentiful as other semi-precious stones due to their rareness in only one location on earth. There is concern that in 30 years’ time, all of the tanzanite resources will be depleted. A tanzanite could easily pass as a Sapphire, but it is actually a form of a mineral called zoisite.

Tanzanite stones may stimulate intuition and facilitate higher levels of consciousness. A tanzanite may also symbolize longevity, new beginnings, dignity, and truth. A tanzanite represents heart, intellect, and purity in the wearer.

Blue Topaz

Although not an officially recognized December birthstone, the blue topaz is gaining popularity as a fourth alternative for December birthstone rings, especially due to the rarity of tanzanite.

Blue topaz stones can range in coloring from a light sky blue to an aqua color to a deeper and richer blue. The blue topaz is a versatile stone that provides rich and appealing color options.

Blue topaz stones rate at an 8 on the Mohs Hardness Scale. Thie blue coloring is due to a specialized heat treatment process of a colorless Topaz stone. Natural blue topazes can occur on their own, although they are much rarer and paler in color.

The blue Topaz symbolizes loyalty, honesty, and righteousness. It represents friendship and eternal love. Wearing a blue Topaz can promote relaxation and harmony, it may also protect against nightmares and soothe fears so the wearer can achieve a peaceful night’s sleep.

How Can You Match Your Outfits With December Birthstone Rings?

Depending on which of the December birthstones you decide to go with, there are many ways you can coordinate your December birthstone rings with your outfits. 

The wide range of cool blue tones goes well with green, blue, and even purple tones in your wardrobe. Blue December birthstone rings are well-suited for wearing with assorted denims and blue jeans to match the blue tones in your December birthstone rings. 

The other beauty of December birthstone rings is their ability to blend with both casual and formal attire. Dress it up or dress it down. December birthstones are ideal for daytime and evening wear apparel.

While blue topaz, tanzanite, and blue-toned zircons can blend effortlessly with blue and purple clothing options, turquoise can provide a welcome pop of color that still complements your style. Neutral tones such as black, navy, grey, and white will do much to enhance the vibrant coloring of turquoise.

Don’t go completely monochromatic. Wear several shades of blue together such as a pair of navy blue pants with a royal blue shirt and a light acid-wash denim jacket. Playing around with multiple blue tones won’t make your style look washed out and fall flat.

Texture is also your friend. Layer different fabrics together. Frayed jeans with a button-down collared shirt and a blue suede sportcoat will add depth and dimension to showcase your birthstones.

Blue topaz, tanzanite, and blue-toned zircons will match well with the cool tones of silver and white gold settings for Dember birthstone rings. But if you’re looking for more contrast, you should try a yellow gold or rose gold setting to accentuate your birthstone’s vibrancy.

Use the Color Wheel for Complementary Color Options

Another option for accessorizing your December birthstone rings is through the use of Color Theory. Color Theory is a way of finding color pairings to blend together for coordinating fashion and accessories. It is also a way to find their opposites or complements for contrasting looks.

Blue is a primary color, along with red and yellow. Primary colors are the colors that, when combined, make up other colors on a color wheel. Blue and red together make purple or violet, blue and yellow make green, and red and yellow make orange. 

The colors created by combining the primary colors are secondary colors. The colors created by combining both primary and secondary colors together are referred to as tertiary colors. Tertiary colors include blue-green, yellow-green, yellow-orange, red-orange, red-violet, and blue-violet.

To find complementary colors, you would look at a color wheel at the color you want to find a complement for. Its complement will lie directly across from that color on the wheel. So when finding a complement for blue, the color directly opposite to it would be orange.

The addition of orange paired together with blue and worn with any of the December birthstone rings creates a vivid contrast. The bold and bright play of colors stands out more. It draws the eye to the outfit and its accessories.

Analogous colors are those that are next to one another on the color wheel. This can help you mix tones together like blue with blue-green and green tones.

Since there are so many beautiful blue tones of December birthstones to choose from, the color wheel can assist you in finding whatever combinations of colors you want. Whether you want to blend in or stand out.

Can You Wear December Birthstone Rings Even if December Isn’t Your Birth Month?

Yes. Birthstone types and colors aren’t set in stone. While the birthstones associated with each month have become more widely accepted choices, they are still merely guidelines for ways to style jewelry.

Not everyone will automatically be in love with their specified birthstone and that’s perfectly okay. When customizing school rings, a birthstone ring is a suggestion for the color a graduate may choose.

In reality, there are 12 vibrant options and the graduate should not feel limited by their birth month’s designated stone. Some will choose a particular birthstone color to wear just because it is their favorite color. It’s as simple as that. 

Others may choose a stone color that represents their dominant school color as an homage. Or they may choose a birthstone color to represent a loved one’s birth month such as a child or spouse. Or to honor a deceased parent.

A school ring is the ultimate symbol of the graduate and their personality. It should reflect their individual style preferences and interests. So have fun and enjoy the school ring designing process.

Find Affordable and Custom Birthstone School Rings at ClassRings.com

The versatility of December’s blue birthstones makes them suitable for everyday style and color-coordinated wear. Blue-toned stones are appealing and offer diverse ways to show them off. With December birthstone rings, your school ring will always be in style.

ClassRings.com knows that your school ring signifies a period of great achievements in your life that you’ll want to remember for years to come. Your school ring is a testament of hard work and dedication. We have beautiful, affordable, and customizable birthstone school rings available.

Browse our full catalog of birthstone school rings on our website and place your order today.