Turquoise

Properties

Turquoise is a unique gemstone, opaque with tones of sky blue, blue green and green – beautiful colors that beautifully complement both silver and gold jewellery. Turquoise is the birthstone assigned to the month of December. Since this gemstone has been highly valued throughout time, it is in many ways a very significant gemstone. Read on if you want to know more about the amazing turquoise!

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Birthstone

Turquoise is December's birthstone. Wearing one's birthstone is said to bring good luck. You can wear your own birthstone as a lucky charm or your loved one's birthstone as a symbol of love.

Symbolism

Turquoise is the gemstone of friendship, love, serenity, wisdom and positivity. Turquoise is said to be a protective gemstone, particularly suitable for sensitive souls. Its protective quality also makes it a good travel companion.

History

Adorning with turquoise can be traced back over 4000 years, and the precious stone has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs. This beautiful gemstone has also had a very special meaning for Native Americans, who made it part of numerous rituals, rites of passage and was 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.

Wedding anniversary

Many gemstones are associated with a special anniversary. Jewelry with turquoise is given as a gift on the 11th wedding anniversary.

Gemology

Turquoise varies in a spectrum of cloud-blue, turquoise and blue-green shades. Its color is determined by the temperatures and elements that affect the gemstone when it is formed underground. Turquoise may 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. It is mined in the USA and Iran, among other places. When measuring the hardness of a gemstone, you use the Mohs Hardness Scale. The scale varies from 1-10, where 10 is the hardest - here lies the diamond, which is the hardest gemstone. Turquoise is between 5 and 6 on the Mohs Hardness Scale.