What is the birthstone for December? Hint: There's actually three.

Thanks to the many holidays that take place during December, the month is almost synonymous with gift-giving. For some, receiving presents can occur beyond these seasonal holidays, especially if your birthday is in December.

Looking for gift ideas for a friend or loved one? One place to start is to know their birth month symbols and gemstones.

People born in December can have one of two astrological signs: Sagittarius (Dec. 1 through 21) or Capricorn (Dec. 22 through 31). The narcissus and holly also represent those born in December.

But what about December's birthstone? Each month has at least one gemstone; others have more. Here's what know about December's birthstones.

December birthstones

December has three birthstones: tanzanite, turquoise and zircon.

Of the three, tanzanite is relatively new to the world of gems.

According to the Geological Institute of America, the stone was first identified in 1967 in Tanzania − hence Tanzanite's name. The gem is only mined in the Merelani Hills of northern Tanzania.

Tanzanite comes in blue and violet, with its blue variety being "considered the most valuable." The stone is often considered "velvety" due to its deep, saturated color, according to the Geological Institute of America.

It is believed wearing tanzanite brings intuition and vitality. Beyond being the birthstone for December, tanzanite is also a traditional gift for the twenty-fourth wedding anniversary.

Turquoise has been a treasured stone for thousands of years. It has been utilized by many cultures, such as in ancient Egypt and China. Turquoise also plays a vital role in many Indigenous cultures, according to the Geological Institute of America. In Tibet, turquoise is considered a "national treasure."

Its name can be traced back to the 13th century, deriving from the French "pierre tourques," meaning "Turkish stone," according to the American Gem Society.

Royalty over the centuries have been known to wear turquoise. A popular example is King Tut's funeral mask which is adorned with turquoise, the Geological Institute of America reports.

The stone spans from blue to green in color. Occasionally, a dark, spiderweb likeness, known as a "matrix", can be found on the stone.

Turquoise is mined in Iran, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada and China, according to the Geological Institute of America. China is the world's largest producer of the stone, in particular the Hubei Province.

It is believed wearing the stone brings good health and good fortune. Turquoise is also given as a traditional gift for the 11th wedding anniversary.

Zircon is the most diverse of December's birthstones since it comes in a broader range of colors. This includes red, orange, yellow, brown, green and blue.

Its name's origins have been debated by many scholars. According to the Geological Institute of America, some believe zircon derives from the Arabic "zarkun," meaning "cinnabar" or "vermilion," while others say it comes from the Persian "zargun," translating to "gold colored."

Regardless of its namesake, zircon has been adored for many centuries. In the Middle Ages, it was believed the gem would ward off evil spirits and promote sleep, the Geological Institute of America reports. In the Hindu religion, zircon is a part of the "navaratna," or "nine gemstones." When worn together, these stones are believed to bring wealth, wisdom and health.

Zircon is mostly minded in Sri Lanka and Australia, the Geological Institute reports. Other countries that mine zircon include Myanmar, Vietnam and Cambodia.

What color is my birthstone? Learn which gemstone represents each month and what it means.

Want to learn more about other month's birthstones?

January | February | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December

Just Curious for more? We've got you covered

USA TODAY is exploring the questions you and others ask every day. From "What's my Zodiac sign?" to "What are angel numbers?" to "How to make a vision board?" − we're striving to find answers to the most common questions you ask every day. Head to our Just Curious section to see what else we can answer.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What is December's birthstone? Color, symbolism and more