December is for Tanzanite + Turquoise: 18 Color Stories
December birthstones include tanzanite, turquoise, and zircon — very much a blue-dominated gem selection! Tanzanite is an interesting gem as it noted for its deep, saturated blue to violet hues, which can come naturally or from heating a gem, and unheated tanzanite stones can run murky green-brown to warmer purple.
Mellan was a December baby (born on Christmas Eve, actually), and after he passed, I decided to incorporate his birthstone–tanzanite–into a pendant necklace I was already leaning towards making (using my previous engagement ring diamond). I wanted to have a crescent moon with a mix of sapphires offset and subtly connected to give the illusion of stars in the sky.
The featured image is of the finished piece, and the tanzanite stone is the largest, more oval-shaped gem that flashes blue-violet, which is illuminated by a band of diamonds (to represent Mellan now up in the stars). The other colored gemstones are all various shades of sapphire, which complement my updated wedding ring set (done in sapphire, which is my birthstone, and one of the first gifts hubby, then-boyfriend, gave me was a sapphire bracelet).
Both pieces were designed in collaboration with Lauryn Volovar at Earth’s Treasury, and both were excellent experiences (in case there’s confusion, this is not sponsored and both pieces of jewelry were paid for by me). I know when I last mentioned the pendant, a few readers asked for more information on it, so… here you go 🙂
About This Series
Each look idea is centered around a “quad” of four shades with the expectation that one might bring in the appropriate brow bone or additional transitional shade based on skin tone. Consider these ideas a jumping off point with four “core” colors that can inspire your next look. For reference, based on how I usually apply makeup, I would consider applying the shades in this order: inner lid, middle of lid, outer lid/crease, and crease/above crease or lid.
Sydney Grace Eyeshadows
Sydney Grace Eyeshadows
JB, Mystery, Below Zero, Regal
Pat McGrath Celestial Divinity
Sydney Grace Quintessence (Deep)
Natasha Denona Love
Lethal Cosmetics Eyeshadows
Clionadh Eyeshadows
Sydney Grace On the Horizon (Deep)
Lunar Illumination, Sakura Glow, Calming Presence, Midnight Courage
Clionadh Eyeshadows
ColourPop High Tide
Natasha Denona Zendo
Breath (383CP), Flow (377M), Equilibrium (382M), Mantra (378CP)
Love this! You can add blue topaz to the list. I’m a late December baby and besides loving turquoise, the majority of any jewelry I have is London Blue Topaz.
The Mellan story is truly making me cry. What a great way to memorialize the most special dog. My special (your dog show reader understands) was Wrigley, Border Terrier. A/k/a Ch. Bradcliffe Firewalker. If I can’t cross the rainbow bridge and be with my besties, I’m not going. Plus, I might meet the star heart dog. BYW, the color combos are gorgeous and well-conceived, as always.
Aww <3
Even though my birthstone is aquamarine, I have always been more drawn to tanzanite and amethysts. I’ve got a very real ‘thing’ for purples! The purple hued combos you put together above are very inspiring and ones I’d enjoy wearing.
Also, my daughter was born just a 3 days before Christmas!
Beautiful!
Just beautiful! I’m biased, since I actually work in the colored gemstone industry, but I think that your pendant and ring are absolutely stunning.
Thank you so much, Kat!
These are stunning Christine and it always amazes me how you can come up with so many lovely shade combinations from differing palettes/singles to give us inspiration.
I was meant to be a December baby (born early because of the twin factor), so I do lean more to these shades.
Your jewelry is gorgeous! Thank you for the info.
Thank you!
As a jeweler and small business owner I really appreciate how you talk about the work of others without expecting any kind of perks. That’s how small businesses lift each other up.
Both the pendant and ring are lovely; so refreshing to see something so unique yet timeless.
Of course! 🙂
Thank you, Prairie!
I am an early December baby and am drawn to the beauty of Tanzanite, my MIL has a beautiful necklace that she always wears with a blouse that shows it off perfectly.
That is such a gorgeous arrangement Christine! What a beautiful memory to Mellan <3
Tanzanite is a really beautiful stone!
I love all of these!
I had noticed you ring in some of the videos you posted during the development of your Sydney Grace collab and thought it was beautiful. Thanks for explaining the story behind it! Both pieces are really beautiful and I’m sure you will treasure them for life.
Thank you! 🙂
Love Tanzanite, which can be purple/blue.
I am amethyst birth stone love purple.
My mother-in-law’s birthstone is amethyst and she loves it, too! Lucky you to love your birthstone, lol! My hubby doesn’t like his (peridot).
Love your jewelry I dog blues and greens together and also lavender mixed in.
Your pendant is so beautiful and I loved reading about all the meaning wrapped up in it.
Thanks a lot, Kira! 🙂
Hmmm, without realizing it, I may have made Decemberish look that I’ll post. Thanks for these, always fun to see other color combinations and be inspired.
My mom is OBSESSED with Tanzanite. Its all she buys. She looks for the ones with flashes of pink, and a very even purple/blue in equal parts. Unfortunately, I don’t love all the pieces she finds them in, because it’ll be a beautiful stone and then an ugly ring, but she has them placed into new settings. I LOVE that crescent moon! Gorgeous! She’ll love it!