Custom Wire Wrapped Kingman Turquoise Earrings Sterling Silver .935  Size: 1 1/8 × 7/16 inch or 29mm x 11mm

December Birthstone – Turquoise, The Most Ancient Gemstone

Turquoise is an opaque stone that ranges in color from the bright blue of its name to green. It typically has a veined appearance, which is created by the remnants of the rock in which it formed. These veins can range from black to silver, tan, and even gold shades.

Among geologists, turquoise is referred to as “copper aluminum phosphate.” It’s most often found near water tables in semiarid and arid regions where rock contains copper-bearing minerals. Turquoise forms when chemicals leach out of surrounding rock via rain and groundwater to create these blue and green crystals. In fact, it is copper that gives turquoise its famed sky blue shade. Iron is what gives green turquoise its color.

Of all stones, turquoise has a particularly long history. In fact, it is one of the earliest stones known to be used in jewelry. The Aztecs believed it sacred, using it to make masks and other ceremonial objects, and Native Americans from many other cultures have used this stone in jewelry and ornamental pieces for thousands of years. One Native American name for turquoise is chal-cui-hui-tal, which means “the highest and most valued thing in the world.”

• Turquoise is recognized by many as a healing and balancing stone.
• In some cultures, turquoise is a love charm.
• Turquoise is the stone of the 11th wedding anniversary.
• When given as a gift, turquoise represents a pledge of affection. In fact, in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Leah gives Shylock a turquoise ring to represent her affection in the hopes that he would propose marriage to her.
• Turquoise is regarded in some cultures as a good luck stone.
• By the 13th century, many believed that turquoise protected people from falls, especially from horseback. Along with this tradition, some said that a piece of turquoise would break if disaster was approaching.
• Hindus believed that seeing turquoise after witnessing a new Moon would bring about fabulous riches.
• Apache Native Americans thought one could find turquoise at the end of a rainbow, and that if one attached this stone to a bow or firearm, it would provide more accurate aim.
• Pueblo Native Americans said that this stone’s color came from the sky.
• Hopi Native Americans maintained that turquoise was produced by lizards hurrying over the earth.
• European traditions hold that giving a turquoise ring means “forget me not.”
• Turquoise is recognized by many as a healing and balancing stone.
• In some cultures, turquoise is a love charm.
• Turquoise is the stone of the 11th wedding anniversary.
• When given as a gift, turquoise represents a pledge of affection. In fact, in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, Leah gives Shylock a turquoise ring to represent her affection in the hopes that he would propose marriage to her.
• Turquoise is regarded in some cultures as a good luck stone.
• By the 13th century, many believed that turquoise protected people from falls, especially from horseback. Along with this tradition, some said that a piece of turquoise would break if disaster was approaching.
• Hindus believed that seeing turquoise after witnessing a new Moon would bring about fabulous riches.
• Apache Native Americans thought one could find turquoise at the end of a rainbow, and that if one attached this stone to a bow or firearm, it would provide more accurate aim.
• Pueblo Native Americans said that this stone’s color came from the sky.
• Hopi Native Americans maintained that turquoise was produced by lizards hurrying over the earth.
• European traditions hold that giving a turquoise ring means “forget me not.”

1 1/8 × 7/16 inch or 29mm x 11mm