What is Turquoise?

The Turquoise is a unique gemstone, opaque with shades of sky blue, blue-green and green – gorgeous colours that beautifully match silver and gold jewellery. Turquoise is the birthstone assigned to December. Since this stone has been greatly appreciated throughout time, it is in many ways a significant gemstone. Read along if you’d like to know more about the amazing Turquoise!

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December's birthstone

Turquoise is December’s birthstone. Carrying your birthstone is said to bring luck. You can carry your own birthstone as a lucky amulet, or your loved ones’ birthstones as a symbol of love.

Symbolism

Turquoise is the gemstone for friendship, love, peace of mind, wisdom, and positivity. Turquoise is said to be a protective gemstone, especially well-suited for sensitive souls. Its protective quality also makes it a great travelling companion.

Wedding anniversary

Many gemstones are associated with a special anniversary. Jewellery with turquoise is traditionally given as a gift on the 11th wedding anniversary, which is called an Amber Anniversary.

Turquoise throughout history

Turquoise décor can be traced over 4000 years back in time, and the gemstone is found in ancient Egyptian graves. The gorgeous gemstone also has a very special meaning to Native Americans, who made it part of numerous rituals, and rites of passage, and was likewise also worn as a protective talisman.

Legend

A Native American legend tells of a terrible drought that caused the ancient people to dance and cry tears of joy when the rain finally came. Their tears mixed with the rain and the water seeped into the earth, forming the beautiful turquoise gems.

Gemology

Turquoise varies in a spectrum of sky-blue, turquoise, and blue green nuances. Its colour is determined by the temperatures and elements that affect the gemstone when created underground. Turquoise can have markings from the ‘host stone’ in the form of brown or black veins, running through the gemstone. These markings are described as ‘matrix’ and can often be seen spun across the gemstone. Turquoise is extracted in The United States and Iran, among others. When measuring a gemstone’s hardness, Moh’s Hardness Scale is used. The scale varies from 1-10, where 10 is the hardest – here is the diamond, which is the hardest gemstone.
Turquoise is between 5 and 6 on Moh’s Hardness Scale.