The birth stone of December is turquoise, eye-catching blue precious stone that has been capturing eyes and hearts for centuries. Wearing the birthstone associated with your birthday is believed to bring good fortune and protection, and what better way to wear it than in a stunning turquoise bracelet or necklace, hand made and finished in Sterling silver or 9ct gold.
Turquoise is made of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate and it occurs in which are rich in aluminium. Literally translated it means “Turkish”, a nod to its history when Levantine traders shipped the jewel to Europe via Turkey. Turquoise is among the small amount of opaque gemstones, giving it a distinctive deep-pigmented colour which can range from green to sky blue depending on its make-up, with or without black veins running throughout the stone called its matrix. Bright blue is regarded as the sought-after type of the stone, an on-trend colour in fashion and jewellery. Turquoise and blue topaz are the birthstones of December, and Turquoise is additionally the traditional gem for those celebrating their 6th or 11th wedding anniversaries.
Turquoise was among the first semi-precious gems to be excavated, predominantly within the Sinai area of Egypt, Iran, and the United States and Mexico. Having been mined since as long ago as 3,000 BC, understandably resources of the mineral is currently low. This has resulted in replica gems becoming popular in modern jewellery, resulting in a higher worth placed on genuine turquoise.
Turquoise offers a history rivalled by no other jewel. The mummy of Queen Zer, the ancient Eqyptian monarch, was found decorated in four vivid turquoise bracelets when she was excavated in 1900. She had chosen the precious stone to wear for 7,500 years. And think about the iconic gold mask of Tutankhamen: it too is set with precious turquoise gems.
The reason behind its historical significance is that turquoise has been highly respected by many ancient colonies who considered that it posessed strong metaphysical attributes. Around Asia the gem stone was believed to protect from the evil eye, and the Aztecs reserved the stone for the Gods in ceremonial masks. In the sixteenth century American Indians believed that turquoise embodied the spirits of the ocean and skies, using it as both a way of currency and to bring luck and protection to fighters and hunters.
Even today turquoise is seen as having protective properties. In modern gemstone therapy it is thought to increase self-confidence and relieve depression, stomach problems, viral infections and rheumatism. If presented as a gift turquoise is perceived as a sign of friendship. Whether you believe in these superstitions or not, it’s hard to ignore the beauty which this eye-catching stone posesses.
Posted by kaiperry73
at 2:54 PM EST
Updated: Saturday, 19 November 2011 8:39 AM EST
