A Guide to Choosing a Tanzanite Gift
A December birthday deserves a gift chosen just for them, even when the festive season is in full swing. Tanzanite makes that choice wonderfully personal: a gemstone with blue and violet colour, a connection to their birth month, and plenty of ways to wear it.
Whether you are choosing a first piece of gemstone jewellery or marking a milestone, the best starting point is the person receiving it. Do they reach for small earrings, love a necklace, or save a favourite ring for special occasions? Here is how to find a tanzanite gift that feels like them.
What is the December birthstone
December has three familiar birthstones: tanzanite, zircon and turquoise. Each offers a different look, so there is room to choose by personality as well as birth month.
Tanzanite is our focus here, with its beautiful blue-to-violet colour. If zircon or turquoise is more their style, we can also create custom-designed pieces with either stone, depending on availability from our suppliers. Get in touch to explore a custom design.
Shopping for another month too? Our birthstone guide is a useful place to begin.
What makes tanzanite special
Tanzanite is a variety of the mineral zoisite, commercially mined in the Merelani Hills of Tanzania. Its colour can lean towards blue, violet or a blend of both. Turn a stone gently and you may notice different colours from different viewing directions, a characteristic called pleochroism. Lighting also changes how the colour appears.
Most tanzanite is heat-treated to bring out its blue and violet tones. This is a common, stable treatment; it should not be confused with a stone being laboratory-grown. If you would like to know more about a particular gemstone, ask us before choosing your piece.
There is no need to chase the darkest colour or the biggest stone. Think about which shade and scale the recipient would genuinely enjoy wearing.
Five tanzanite gifts to consider
1 Round Tanzanite Studs a little colour beautifully simple
Our Round Tanzanite Studs feature a 4mm round stone in each earring and fasten with butterfly push-ons. Choose sterling silver, 9k yellow gold or 9k white gold.
They are a lovely starting point for someone who prefers understated jewellery. Earrings also avoid the ring-size guessing game. Before buying, check that the recipient has pierced ears and enjoys wearing studs rather than drops or hoops.
2 Trilogy Tanzanite Studs for someone who loves more colour
The Trilogy Tanzanite Stud Earrings bring together three round tanzanites per earring, each measuring 4mm. They are available in sterling silver and 9k yellow, rose or white gold, with matching-metal butterfly push-ons.
Choose these for someone who likes a more noticeable earring without a dangling design. They make a thoughtful milestone-birthday gift, especially if blue and violet already appear in their wardrobe.
3 Rio a pendant with everything considered
Our Rio Tanzanite Trilogy Pendant features three round 4mm tanzanites. The pendant hangs approximately 15mm long and comes with a 45cm chain in the same metal: sterling silver or 9k yellow, rose or white gold.
That included chain takes one decision off your list. Still, it is worth checking the length of a necklace they already love. A 45cm chain will sit differently on different people, and personal preference matters more than a standard measurement.
4 Lina a solitaire for special occasions
Lina puts a 5.5mm round tanzanite at the centre of a solitaire ring. It can be made in sterling silver or 9k yellow, rose or white gold, in the selected ring size.
It is a beautiful option for someone who enjoys a single coloured gemstone. Choose a tanzanite ring with its care needs in mind: we would treat it as a special-occasion piece rather than a ring for constant, hands-on wear.
5 Infinity tanzanite with a diamond detail
The Infinity Tanzanite and Diamond Ring pairs a 5mm round tanzanite with lab-grown diamond accents. Metal options include 9k, 14k and 18k yellow, rose or white gold, as well as platinum.
For someone who loves a more detailed ring, this is a lovely way to mark a significant birthday or shared occasion. As with Lina, confirm the ring size and make sure occasional, careful wear suits the recipient’s lifestyle.
How to care for tanzanite jewellery
Tanzanite needs a gentler approach than sapphire or diamond. It measures 6–7 on the Mohs hardness scale, which describes scratch resistance, not resistance to knocks. Tanzanite can chip or break if struck, so earrings and pendants are generally less exposed than rings.
Remove tanzanite jewellery before gardening, gym sessions, household cleaning or other rough activities. Store pieces separately so they cannot rub against harder gemstones.
For cleaning, use warm, mild soapy water and a soft cloth, then rinse carefully and dry. Avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners, very high heat and sudden temperature changes. If a setting feels loose or a piece has taken a knock, have it checked before wearing it again.
Give yourself time to choose
The five pieces featured here are Made on Order in Cape Town, with a listed production time of 15 working days. Production time is separate from delivery time. For a birthday or festive gift, contact us with your required date before ordering so we can advise on timing.
Ready to find their piece? Explore our tanzanite collection, or speak to us about choosing a design, metal or size. For custom zircon or turquoise jewellery, we can discuss the possibilities subject to supplier stone availability.