Blue Zircon and Turquoise ~ Birthstones for December

  Zircon is available in a range of colors ~ from clear, through yellows, greenish-yellows and browns, to blues and greens. Clear Zircon is sometimes confused with diamond or even cubic zirconia, due to its intense sparkle.

   Blue Zircon is one of the several gemstones for the month of December ~ others include Turquoise and Blue Topaz.

  Zircon is part of the chemical group of the Silicates, which is the largest group of minerals. This includes sub-groups of minerals such as Quartz, Opal and Feldspars (such as Moonstone). 

    Zircon may be mostly found in Thailand, Burma and Cambodia; smaller deposits are in Canada, Russia, Norway and Australia; in the U.S., it is quarried in North Carolina and New Jersey.

  Lore about Blue Zircon tells us that it is thought to impart wisdom and honor to the wearer, as well as to promote peacefulness and provide protection against poisons. 

  It is not a particularly hard mineral, so care must be taken to avoid scratches and bumps. Avoid hot water and household chemicals; it may be cleaned with a soft, slightly damp cloth.

~ TURQUOISE ~ 

  Turquoise is one of the first gemstones to be valued by mankind; its use as a gemstone not only goes back to ancient times (especially in Ancient Egypt), but also across many cultures around the planet.

 Turquoise is a hydrous compound of copper and aluminum, and you can help it maintain its color by spritzing it with a saline solution from time to time. The dark matrix lines are oxidized copper.

  Turquoise is thought to bring inner calm to the spirit, and to support the health of the body. Some believe it to provide protection, promote enthusiasm and creativity, and to attract prosperity to the wearer. 

{All photos courtesy of: http://skywalker.cochise.edu/wellerr/VGM/intro.htm}