Dazzling December Birthstones & Birth Flowers for Your Wedding!

Were you born in December or do you wish to honor a loved one born in December during your wedding? We’ve got all the info you need on the meanings behind the birthstones and birth flowers of this beautiful holiday month! Read on to find out more!

Hey, Christie!

We have had so much fun planning our Ainsworth House & Gardens wedding! You and John have been terrific at answering our questions and presenting amazing ideas we can incorporate into our wedding to make it truly unique! Thank you!

One last question (t think): I’d like to honor my parents by placing their birthstones in a 5 or 10 pt. size on my engagement ring. Thank you for helping me find Dad’s birth gems and birth flowers for August. To honor my mom, what are the birthstones and birth flowers for December? (That’s Mom to the left.)

Thanks in advance for all your help!

–Kay the Confused in Vancouver, Washington

Hey, Kay!

You two have been such a joy to work with on your wadding! Thank you for letting us be a part of your journey!

December is a wonderful month in which to be born! The world celebrates Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanza. At the end of the month, we welcome a New Year and new opportunities for adventure, love, and personal growth. Your mom was so lucky to be born in December!

Here’s a quick list of December’s birthstones and birth flowers!

December Birthstones:

Blue Topaz

Turquoise.

December Birth Flowers:

Holly

Poinsettia

Orchid

Narcissus.

let’s dive in and learn more!

December Birthstones: Blue Topaz.

What is the history of blue topaz?

Pliny, an ancient Greek scholar, wrote that topaz was first mined on the legendary island of Topazos, which according to him, floated serenely in the Red Sea. Others believe that topaz was first mined on St. John’s Island, which does exist and is found in the Red Sea.

Topaz is mentioned in the King James Bible and in later translations thereof.

During Europe’s Renaissance, qualities were attributed to various gems. If you wanted to break a spell cast on you by some malcontent, you carried a topaz with you. If you wanted to hold your anger in check, you carried a topaz.

Among the Hindus, topaz is consider so sacred that wearing a pendant of the gem brought wisdom and longevity.

African medicine men and shamans thought topaz was sacred and used in certain of their healing ceremonies.

How do we get blue topaz?

Light blue topaz occurs naturally and is mined in Texas, Russia, and Brazil.

For those looking for a less expensive or deeper blue topaz, when colorless topaz is irradiated, it turns blue. When this changed blue topaz flooded the market in the 1960’s, it drove the price down significantly.

Is blue topaz the official state gemstone of any state?

Yes! Two states, Texas and Utah, adopted blue topaz as their official state gemstone in 1969.

Does any wedding anniversary say it is the “Blue Topaz Anniversary?”

Yes—the 4^th.

From what is the word “topaz” derived?

There are several theories. The name may come from Topazos, a Red Sea island. In Greek, topaz is derived from the infinitive, “to shine.”

In Sanskrit, “topaz” means “fire” or “heat.”

In which colors is topaz available?

In addition to a golden yellow color, topaz also comes in honey-brown, red, pink, blue, light green, and completely clear.

Are there curative powers ascribed to topaz?

The Ancient Greeks thought that holding a topaz gave them strength and restored mental health/sanity, cooled down a hot temper, relieved sleeplessness, improved breathing, and protected from sudden death. Fun fact: They believed that topaz would change color when it was near a disloyal person.

What does topaz symbolize?

Faithfulness
Constancy
Loyalty.

Turquoise

How was the name “turquoise” derived?

Pliny the Elder, the Greek scholar we met under topaz, wrote about turquoise as a valuable, opaque blue or green gem. The Aztecs used turquoise in their art, jewelry, and religious ceremonies. Since the gem was brought from Turkestan to Europe, it was called “turkeis” (which means “Turkish’) in the 14^th. century.

While some of us might think that those native people living in the Southwest have made turquoise jewelry since the dawn of time, we would be incorrect.

It was not until 1880 that the Navajos, a Native American people of the Southwest United States, began to set turquoise into silver to create the amazing jewelry for which they are so well known.

(Caution: A few decades ago, the Apache people, another Native American nation, asked the Navajo to teach them how to make turquoise jewelry so they too could create an income stream. The Navajos did. The Apache opted for a different business model: Instead of creating beautiful jewelry which was finely crafted—and carried a higher price—the Apache opted to make inexpensive jewelry to appeal to tourists on a budget.

Not all Native American turquoise jewelry is created the same!)

What does turquoise mean?

The Navajos believed that turquoise gave the person wearing it blessings and spiritual protection.

The Apache believed that wearing turquoise improved an archer’s skill so that the person had deadly accurate aim.

Other Native American peoples believe that turquoise honors the blue of the life-giving water and the verdant green colors found in nature.

They wear turquoise to attract spirits who will bless and protect them while fending off harmful spirits.

To the Ancient Greece, young women wore turquoise because it represented purity.

The Persians used turquoise in almost every aspect of their lives because it represented heaven.

In England and in Russia, turquoise was worn because it symbolized everlasting love.

In many cultures, turquoise symbolizes:

Wisdom
Protection
Tranquility.

Why does some turquoise have veins running through it and others do not?

It depends on where it was mined. A reputable jeweler should be able to tell you the source of the turquoise of the piece you are contemplating purchasing.