Turquoise: December’s Birthstone
If you were born in December, you might know that turquoise is the traditional birthstone of the month! This blue-green gem always grabs the attention and has many varieties—from sky blue Persian turquoise to blue-green Chinese turquoise to turquoise with black “veins” adding to its mystery and texture.
Turquoise is beautiful as well as historic
A little history lesson for you: did you know that turquoise is among the world’s oldest gems? It has been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians, including King Tut, whose funerary mask was decorated with turquoise. The word “turquoise” is derived from the French word “turquois,” which means “Turkish.” This is because the gemstone was first brought to Europe from Turkestan.
Beginning in the 13th century, turquoise was believed to protect its wearer from falling (off a horse, for example). It was thought to guarantee health, wealth and good fortune. The Apache people thought that if they followed a rainbow to its very end, they would discover turquoise.
Turquoise’s powers and traits
Turquoise has been thought to improve vision, alleviate depression or anxiety, cure respiratory problems, and treat infections. Beyond its speculated healing properties, turquoise is believed to relax the mind and protect its wearer from harm. It is associated with prosperity, strength, happiness, luck, self-respect and peace.
The gem of the southwest
Turquoise is only found in dry and barren regions where rain or snowmelt water seeps into the earth, leaches copper from rock, and reacts with phosphorus- and aluminum-laden minerals. The result is the porous, semi-translucent to opaque compound of turquoise. It gets its blue-to-green color from the metals in the ground where it forms, and the shade of turquoise depends on the amount of copper present. Deeper blue means a higher concentration of copper, while green turquoise means iron was present.
The desert of the southwestern United States creates a perfect natural setting for turquoise to form. There, you’ll find it in shallow crevices of volcanic rock. New Mexico has some of the oldest turquoise mines and you’ll find mines in parts of Colorado, California, Arizona and Nevada as well, some now converted to be copper mines instead. Outside of the U.S., you’ll find turquoise in parts of China, Afghanistan, Australia, India, Chile, Turkestan, England and Germany.
Select a beautiful birthstone turquoise piece from Moondance Jewelry
Whether you’re buying a holiday gift for your wife, girlfriend, mom or sister, or gifting yourself a birthstone staple, we have many lovely choices, including these:
Turquoise Tennis Bracelet
The turquoise tennis bracelet features small turquoise pearl-shaped stones set in 18k gold. It is fun, flirty and striking, whether you’re dressed up or down, and it pairs well with other turquoise jewelry or stands on its own.
Turquoise Bar Necklace
The turquoise bar necklace is a Moonstone favorite for good reason, Offered in 14k yellow gold, the bars of robins egg blue turquoise create a piece that will catch the eye everywhere you go.
Turquoise Bar Bracelet
The 14k yellow gold turquoise bar bracelet creates a matching set with the turquoise bar necklace, but it can also be an accent piece to any outfit.
Turquoise Miami Cuban Chain Bracelet
The turquoise Miami Cuban chain bracelet includes turquoise pearl-shaped stones and a single sparkling diamond at the center. The chain link, 14k backside of the bracelet is simple, bold and beautiful.
Come into the store for many more options
We love turquoise and have even more to choose from for you December birthdates. Browse our turquoise selections online or come visit us in the store daily 11am – 5pm (yes, we’re open Monday’s in December!!). We would love to help you find your first birthstone jewelry piece or add to your collection.
P.S. Happy birthday month!
P.S. December not your birthday month? Just love turquoise? Come browse our collection, or call us to learn what pieces we have featuring your birthstone!