What Color Is December: Tanzanite, Turquoise, Zircon & Holly
December features a cool, wintry color palette from its three birthstones and festive birth flowers: the violet-blue Tanzanite, the blue-green Turquoise, the varied blues of Zircon, and the festive Holly.
The Colors of December
December is unique among the months, being blessed with three beautiful birthstones: Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon. Together, they create a cool, wintry palette dominated by various shades of blue that perfectly capture the serene beauty of winter.
From Tanzanite's exotic violet-blue to Turquoise's ancient blue-green and Zircon's brilliant blues, December's color palette embodies tranquility, wisdom, and the peaceful reflection that comes at year's end. These cool tones provide a perfect contrast to the warm colors of autumn while complementing winter's natural beauty.
Let's explore the distinctive colors and fascinating properties of December's birthstones and how they capture the essence of winter's serene beauty.
The Exotic Violet-Blue of Tanzanite
Tanzanite is one of the most remarkable gemstone discoveries of the 20th century. This exotic violet-blue gem displays a magical quality called pleochroism, appearing blue, violet, or burgundy depending on the viewing angle. Its mesmerizing color perfectly captures the mystery and magic of December's winter twilight.
Found only in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite. Its distinctive color comes from trace amounts of vanadium, and most stones are heat-treated to enhance their blue-violet hue and remove brownish tints.
Tanzanite Facts
- Tanzanite is found only in a small area near Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, making it 1,000 times rarer than diamond.
- It displays strong pleochroism, showing different colors (blue, violet, burgundy) when viewed from different angles.
- Tanzanite was discovered in 1967 and named by Tiffany & Co. after its country of origin.
The Ancient Blue-Green of Turquoise
Turquoise is one of humanity's oldest treasured gemstones, revered for over 5,000 years by ancient civilizations from Egypt to the Americas. Its distinctive blue-green color has been associated with protection, healing, and connection to the spiritual realm across cultures.
The finest turquoise displays a pure sky-blue color, though it commonly occurs in blue-green shades often interwoven with matrix patterns of host rock. Persian turquoise from Iran is considered the standard for quality, prized for its intense, uniform blue color without matrix.
Turquoise Facts
- Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones, treasured by ancient civilizations for over 5,000 years.
- The finest turquoise comes from Iran (Persian turquoise) and is prized for its pure sky-blue color.
- Native American cultures consider turquoise sacred, believing it connects earth and sky.
The Symbolism of December's Colors
The cool blue spectrum of December's birthstones carries profound symbolism for those born in this winter month.
Tanzanite Symbolism
- Transformation
- Higher Consciousness
- Spiritual Growth
Turquoise Symbolism
- Protection
- Healing
- Good Fortune
Connections to December
- The cool blue tones of all three December birthstones reflect the crisp, clear skies of winter.
- These colors symbolize peace, tranquility, and reflection - perfect for the contemplative end of the year.
- The blue-green hues evoke winter's natural beauty from frost patterns to evergreen trees.
- Together, these stones represent wisdom gained through the year and hope for new beginnings ahead.
December's Birth Flowers: Festive Colors
While Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon represent December with their cool blue tones, the month is also associated with two festive birth flowers that add warmth to December's palette: Holly and Narcissus.
Holly brings the traditional Christmas colors of deep green and bright red to December's palette. With its glossy, spiky leaves and cheerful red berries, Holly symbolizes protection, foresight, and domestic happiness. The evergreen nature of Holly represents eternal life and hope during winter's darkest days.
Narcissus (including paperwhite narcissus) contributes pure white and bright yellow to December's color story. These fragrant flowers symbolize rebirth, new beginnings, and hope - perfect for the transition from one year to the next. Their ability to bloom indoors during winter makes them symbols of perseverance and inner strength.
Together with the cool blues of December's birthstones, these birth flowers create a unique palette that combines winter's tranquility with the festive warmth of the holiday season.
December's Complete Color Palette
December offers one of the most serene and festive color palettes of any month, combining the cool blues of its birthstones with the traditional holiday colors of its birth flowers.
Tanzanite Violet-Blue
The exotic violet-blue of Tanzanite represents transformation and spiritual growth, perfect for year-end reflection and new beginnings.
Turquoise Blue-Green
The ancient blue-green of Turquoise symbolizes protection, healing, and good fortune, bringing peace to winter's contemplative season.
Holly Green & Red
The festive green and red of Holly bring traditional holiday warmth, representing protection, hope, and domestic happiness.
Narcissus White & Yellow
The pure white and bright yellow of Narcissus symbolize rebirth and new beginnings, perfect for the transition to a new year.
This unique color palette makes December one of the most meaningful months of the year, combining winter's serene blues with the festive warmth of the holiday season.
Whether you prefer the exotic violet-blue of Tanzanite, the ancient blue-green of Turquoise, or the festive colors of Holly, December offers a palette that represents wisdom, protection, and the hope of new beginnings.
Explore Other Birthstones
Explore Birth Flowers
Discover the beautiful birth flowers associated with each month.
Learn About December's Birth FlowerFree Birthstone Chart
Looking for a quick reference to all birthstones? Download our free printable birthstone chart featuring all 12 months and their corresponding gemstones.
Get Your Free Birthstone ChartFrequently Asked Questions about December's Colors
What color represents December?
December is represented by various shades of blue: the violet-blue of Tanzanite, the blue-green of Turquoise, and the blue tones of Zircon (its birthstones), plus the festive green and red of its birth flower Holly and the white of Narcissus.
What is the color of the year December?
While "Color of the Year" is a concept often associated with entities like Pantone, December doesn't have a single designated annual color. Instead, it has a cool, wintry palette from its birthstones and birth flowers: Tanzanite's violet-blue, Turquoise's blue-green, Zircon's various blues, and Holly's festive green and red.
What is the color theme for December?
December's color theme is cool and festive, featuring the violet-blue of Tanzanite, the blue-green of Turquoise, the varied blues of Zircon, and the traditional green and red of Holly. This palette combines winter's cool blues with holiday warmth.
What is the color of each month?
Each month has associated birthstones with distinct colors: January (Garnet - red), February (Amethyst - purple), March (Aquamarine - blue-green), April (Diamond - clear), May (Emerald - green), June (Pearl - white, Alexandrite - color-changing), July (Ruby - red), August (Peridot - green), September (Sapphire - blue), October (Opal/Tourmaline - multi-color), November (Topaz/Citrine - yellow/orange), and December (Tanzanite/Turquoise/Zircon - blue/turquoise).
Do birth months have colors?
Yes, birth months are strongly associated with colors through both their traditional birthstones and birth flowers. Each birthstone has a primary color or range of colors, and birth flowers add additional hues to the month's color palette. For December, this includes the blues of Tanzanite, Turquoise, and Zircon, plus the festive green and red of Holly.
What color is each season?
Seasonal colors are often symbolic: Spring (pastels, light greens, pinks, yellows), Summer (bright blues, yellows, oranges, vivid greens), Autumn/Fall (earthy browns, oranges, reds, deep yellows), and Winter (cool blues, whites, silvers, deep reds).