12月の誕生石(ターコイズ&タンザナイト&ジルコン)

December birthstones (turquoise, tanzanite, and zircon)


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Turquoise, a light blue reminiscent of a bright, clear blue sky
Tanzanite is a rare stone that is only found in Tanzania.
Zircon has a brilliance comparable to that of diamonds

ターコイズ(トルコ石)タンザナイトジルコン
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Gemstone Name Turquoise Tanzanite Zircon
Mineral Name Turquoise Zoisite Zircon
Japanese name Turquoise Copperite, sapphire Weather signal stone
Origin of the name From the French "Turkish stone" (Pierre Torquês) Discovered in Tanzania and named by Tiffany The name is derived from the Arabic word "zarkun" (red) or the Persian words "zar" (gold) and "gun" (color).
color Opaque green to blue Blue to purple Brown, yellow, orange, red, blue, etc.
Mohs hardness 5–6 6–7 6–7.5
Origin Iran, America, China, etc. Tanzania Cambodia, Australia, Sri Lanka, etc.
Stone meaning Luck, success, prosperity Noble, Calm, Mysterious Peace and success
effect Mental and physical health
Reduce stress
Mental stability
Harmony with the surroundings
Remove sadness
Peaceful human relationships
Maintenance Wash gently with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush Wash gently with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush Wash gently with warm water, mild detergent and a soft brush
others Its official name is blue zoisite. It was once considered a substitute for sapphire. Symbolism of the "Stone of Peace"

December has three birthstones.
The first one is turquoise.Famous as a power stoneIt is a familiar gemstone that is often used in accessories.
The second is the mysterious gemstone Tanzanite. It was once mistaken for a sapphire, but it has a purple to bluish hue.PleochroismTanzanite with this is very beautiful.
Lastly, zircon has joined the ranks as the December birthstone in 2021. It comes in many colors,Sparkle comparable to a diamondThis is the charm of zircon.
We will introduce you to the birthstones for December, so please use it as a reference.

▼If you want to know more about other birthstones, click here

1.Turquoise

Characteristics of Turquoise

ターコイズ(トルコ石)のネックレスThe light blue color is reminiscent of a bright, clear blue sky.One of the oldest treasured gemstonesThere are also records showing that it was loved in Mesopotamia around 5000 BC.
The term turquoise blue is familiar to many, but the color actually ranges from blue-green to sky blue, and depending on the place of origin, it can have a black mesh-like texture.
Its Japanese name is "Turquoise", but many people think that it is mined in Turkey. In fact, its main production areas are Iran, America, and China, and it is not mined in Turkey. It was apparently given this name because it was brought to Europe by Turkish merchants long ago.
Turquoise is the December birthstone as well as the zodiac stone for Virgo.


The origin of turquoise

As mentioned above, turquoise was popularized in Europe by Turkish merchants. Its name comes from the French "Pierre Turquoise", which means "Turkish stone".


The effect of turquoise

Stone words are"Good luck, success, prosperity".
Amulets to protect against disastersTurquoise has long been popular as a stone that brings mental stability and is also said to improve communication.
This gemstone is perfect for those who suffer from fatigue or stress, or for those who want to improve their relationships.


Caring for your Turquoise

Turquoise has a Mohs hardness of 5 to 6, making it a very soft gemstone. Therefore, do not store it with other jewelry. Some stones are also waxed to protect them and make them shiny. Be careful as it is sensitive to high heat and solvents.
After use, wipe with a soft cloth and store. To clean, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a small amount of mild detergent (dishwashing detergent).After that, dip a soft brush (a toothbrush with soft bristles) in the detergent and gently scrub the turquoise. Scrubbing can damage the turquoise or cause the nails holding it in place to come loose, so it's important to scrub the turquoise in a scrubbing motion. Once you've finished scrubbing, rinse the turquoise with lukewarm water.
Turquoise should not be cleaned with ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners.


Houjudo also stocks turquoise jewelry. Please check out their website.
▼Turquoise jewelry is here



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have about 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored stones, which you can touch and look at. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, we offer reasonable prices, less than half the market price. We do not pressure you to buy anything, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation >
First, ask by email
Contact Us >




2.Tanzanite

Characteristics of Tanzanite

タンザナイトの指輪Tanzanite is a new gemstone discovered in Tanzania just half a century ago. It is a type of zoisite and its official name isBlue ZoisiteHowever, only the blue to blue-purple colours mined in Tanzania are called "Tanzanite".
Tanzanite is only mined in limited areas,High rarityIt is expected that mining volumes will decrease in the future.
Another attractive feature of tanzanite is its pleochroism, which allows you to enjoy the change of color, appearing blue in sunlight and purple under a candle.
Among them, tanzanite, which is a deeper blue than purple and has strong pleochroism, is traded at a high price.


Origin of Tanzanite

Tanzanite was named after the "Tanzanian night" because it resembles the color of the sky that changes from dusk to night, which spreads over Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania. It is well known that the name was given by Tiffany & Co. With the help of the promotion of this popular jeweler, it quickly became a popular gemstone.


The effects of Tanzanite

The stone's word is "Noble, Calm, Mysterious"
Suppressing emotional excitement,Helps you make calm decisionsTanzanite is also said to give you creativity and imagination.
This is a perfect gemstone for those who get emotional easily or those who work in creative jobs.


Caring for Your Tanzanite

It is a relatively soft gemstone with a Mohs hardness of 6 to 7.5, making it vulnerable to impacts.
Therefore, when storing your jewelry, make sure to store it separately and not with other jewelry.
After use, wipe with a soft cloth and store. To clean, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a small amount of neutral detergent (dishwashing detergent). Then, dip a soft brush (a toothbrush with soft bristles) in the detergent and gently tap the stone to clean. If you scrub the stone, it can scratch the stone or cause the prongs that hold it in place to come loose, so it's important to wash it by tapping it. Once you've finished washing, rinse the stone with lukewarm water. We do not recommend using ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners.


Houjudo also has a wide selection of Tanzanite jewelry. Please check out their website.
▼Tanzanite jewelry is here



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have about 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored stones, which you can touch and look at. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, we offer reasonable prices, less than half the market price. We do not pressure you to buy anything, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation >
First, ask by email
Contact Us >




3.Zircon

Zircon Characteristics

ジルコンの指輪"Is zircon the same as cubic zirconia, a substitute for diamond?"... It is a stone that is often misunderstood, but zircon is a genuine natural stone. Cubic zirconia is made mainly from a substance called zirconia, which has a similar name to zircon, so it is often confused with zircon. However, they are completely different substances.
Zircon is considered to be the oldest mineral on Earth.The oldest is 4.4 billion years oldOr something like that.
The appeal of zircon is that it has a high refractive index and fire, and is rich in color. Its Japanese name is "Hiyashinsu stone." It is a name that perfectly matches the image of a hyacinth flower with many colors. Blue zircon and red zircon are highly valued for their high transparency and vivid color.


Origin of Zircon

The name is derived from the Arabic word "zarkun" (red) or the Persian words "zar" (gold) and "gun" (color). The origin of the name also shows that it comes in many colors, including red and gold.


The effect of zircon

The stone's word is "Peace and success"
Zircon is a symbol of the "stone of peace." It gives the owner peace of mind.It helps me feel calmIt has the effect of removing sadness and creating peaceful human relationships. It is a recommended gemstone for those who have strong emotional ups and downs and those who wish to grow spiritually.


Caring for Your Zircon

It is a stone with a certain degree of hardness, with a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7. However, it is softer than diamonds and sapphires, so avoid storing it with other jewelry as much as possible. After use, wipe it with a soft cloth and store it. To clean, fill a cup with lukewarm water and add a small amount of neutral detergent (dishwashing detergent). Then, dip a soft brush (a toothbrush with soft bristles) in the detergent and wash it by tapping it lightly. If you scrub it, it will scratch the zircon or the prongs that hold it in place will come loose, so it is important to wash it by tapping it. After washing, rinse the zircon with lukewarm water.We do not recommend using ultrasonic cleaners or steam cleaners.


Houjudo also has a wide selection of zircon jewelry. Please check out their website.
▼Click here for zircon jewelry



Hojudo is a jewelry shop located in Shinsaibashi, Osaka.
We have about 1,500 pieces of jewelry on display, including diamonds, pearls, and colored stones, which you can touch and look at. As a jewelry specialty store that originated as a wholesaler, we offer reasonable prices, less than half the market price. We do not pressure you to buy anything, so please feel free to come and visit us.
Of course, you can also purchase it online, so don't worry.

Free consultation and estimate
Make a reservation >
First, ask by email
Contact Us >