December Birthstone Jewelry – Turquoise

The gemstone used in our lovely December birthstone jewelry is the turquoise and we have a huge range of jewelry using this lovely gemstone. It is a bluish green mineral that is a phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is a rare gemstone that has been used in decorative work and jewelry for thousands of years and was used from around 6000 B.C. by the Egyptians. It was a prized gemstone worn by the kings of the Aztecs and the Pharaohs. It was has also been used in beautiful decorative and ornamental pieces by the Persians and Native Americans. Most specimens found are very small, often so small that they can only be seen using a microscope. Gem stone quality turquoise is found in Iran, Australia, Afghanistan, Arizona, New Mexico and in the South West regions of the US.

The original turquoise jewelry made by Native Americans included turquoise beads, mosaics and carvings and only from around 1880 was the distinctive silver jewelry made. Navajo craftsmen began making this style of jewelry from silver coins for trade.

december gemstone The name turquoise is thought to come from the French word meaning Turkey as it was mistakenly believed that the gemstones originated in that country as they were traded in the bazaars to European merchants. In fact they probably came from the Sinai Peninsula or from the Alimersai Mountains which are now in Iran. It may also have arisen from the French word for dark blue stone, pierre turquin. It is often found in deposits of copper usually in very dry, arid conditions.

Before turquoise was found in the US the finest quality stones, with an intense blue color, came from Persia and ‘Persian Turquoise’ is still used today to denote the best quality stones. In the latter part of the nineteenth century turquoise was found in the US with deposits that rivaled the quality of the Persian stones. Nowadays the US is the largest producer of this lovely gemstone.

14kt. White Gold Neolite Turquoise Earrings
List Price: $403.00
14kt. White Gold Neolite Turquoise Earrings Inexpensively Priced
Click here for more details of our White Gold Neolite Turquoise Earrings

Care of Turquoise

Turquoise is fairly soft and needs to be looked after carefully to avoid being scratched. It can lose it’s lustre if exposed to heat, sunlight or weak acids so you should take care to remove any turquoise jewelry before using household chemicals or hot water.

Use of Turquoise by the Aztecs

The Aztecs used turquoise extensively, inlaid with gold and other minerals such as jade, quartz, jet and malachite as well as shells and corals. They used it in mosaics, masks, shields and knives. Some superb examples of mosaics from this time survived destruction by the Spanisg Invaders and can be seen at the British Museum.

Use of Turquoise by Native Americans

The Navajo, Pueblo and Apache tribes used turquoise as an amulet often believing it had powers to perfect the aim of archers. The original turquoise jewelry made by Native Americans included turquoise beads, mosaics and carvings and only from around 1880 was the distinctive silver jewelry made. Navajo craftsmen began making this style of jewelry from silver coins for trade.