50+ Lifestyles

December Gemstones

By Eloise Graham

The birthstones for December have changed from the ruby red gemstone and red/green/rust colored bloodstone (definitely Christmas colors) to the clear blue tones of blue zirconium and tanzanite and the grey veined turquoise (the colors of December skies).

The ruby and bloodstone were the designated December birthstones from the twelfth century until the twentieth century.

According to Wikipedia, the U. S. in 1912 designated the birthstone to be the lapis lazuli and turquoise. England, in 2013, declared turquoise and tanzanite the December gems.

Currently, according to the American Gem Trade Association and the Jewelers of America, turquoise, blue zircon and tanzanite are the stones for December.

Other “Gems” of December – People and Dates

• Theodore Roosevelt, the first American to win the Novel Peace Prize, December 1,1906
• Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat on a bus, Dec. 1, 1953
• The Monroe Doctrine was announced, December 2, 1823
• John Brown was hanged for his part in raiding Harpers Ferry, December 2, 1859
• The first American Flag was raised aboard the “USS Alfred” December 3, 1775
• Illinois was admitted to the Union, December 3, 1818
• Construction of the Washington Monument was completed, December 6, 1884
• United States Apollo 17 launched, December 7, 1972
• United States entered World War II, December 8, 1941
• The Bill of Rights went into effect, December 15, 1791
• The movie “Gone With the Wind” premiered, Dec.15, 1939
• Louisiana Purchase was formally completed, Dec. 20, 1803
• The state of Maryland gave ten square miles for the District of Columbia, December 23, 1788
• The first recorded Christmas was celebrated in Rome,
  December 25, 336
• New York City was blanketed with 25.8 inches of snow, December 26, 1947
• Radio City Music Hall opened in New York, December 27, 1932
• Iowa was admitted to the Union, December 28, 1846