Birthstone for December: Turquoise
If your birthday is in December, then your birthstone is the turquoise! Turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. The gemstone is valued for its beautiful, blue-green color!
This gem of a gem gets its name from the French word for “Turkish” (turquois). Although there aren’t any turquoise mines in Turkey, most European merchants got their turquoise from Turkish bazaars.
For the last two millennia, Persia has been the greatest source of this brilliant gemstone. In America, there are also abundant sources of the gemstone to be found in the Southwest, which explains why it figures so prominently in Native American jewelry in that region.
Rating a mere 6 on the Mohs scale (about the same as window glass), this gem is one of the most fragile gemstones. But it’s the only fragile thing about this bold blue birthstone!
And now let’s get to the fun part: some jewelry that showcases your December birthstone!
Affordable Accent
I love Amy DiGregorio’s clusters of polished turquoise cubes. I love the variety in the shades of the December birthstone – what a gem of a find!
The Investment Piece
Kim Riedel’s gemstone and gold cuff is what I call “goddess wear” because wearing this cuff will make you look like a goddess! It reminds me of the Greek islands and classic architecture and classic beauty – close your eyes and you’re on a December vacation to the Mediterranean! What a classy way to sport your birthstone!
Living in Luxury
Flaunt your December birthstone in style! I love this Yossi Hasari ring because it reminds me of an ancient earring I recently wrote about. It certainly has the same feel of timeless style to it.
So, remember this December: no matter which piece you choose to represent your birthstone, you December turquoises are going to look like the classic, earthy beauties that you are!
Grounded,
Olivia
Golden Globes 2009: Statement Jewelry | WooMeOver Bling Blog has written on January 14th, 2009 at 5:10 pm
[...] that she’s wearing the jewelry and it’s not wearing her. Our regular readers ought to know that turquoise was the birthstone for December, and also that it hasn’t always been my favorite gemstone. But Eva wears this necklace with such [...]