2011-11-18 
The birth stone of December is turquoise, a show-stopping azure jewel that's been capturing eyes and hearts for milliennia. Wearing the birthstone connected with your month of birth is thought to generate good luck and protection, and what better way to wear it than in a stylish turquoise bracelet or necklace, hand made and finished in Sterling silver or 9ct gold. Turquoise is made of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate and it is found in igneous rocks which are rich in aluminium. Translated literally it means "Turkish", a nod to its past when Levantine traders shipped the gemstone into Europe via Turkey. Turquoise is among the very few opaque jewels, providing it a distinctive deep-pigmented colour which can vary from green to sky blue depending on its make-up, with or without black veins threaded throughout the stone known as its matrix. Bright blue is the most desired form of the gem stone, an on-trend colour in fashion and jewellery. Turquoise and blue topaz are the birthstones of December, and Turquoise is additionally the traditional gem stone for people celebrating their 6th or 11th wedding anniversaries. Turquoise was one of the first semi-precious gems to be excavated, mainly in the Sinai region of Egypt, Iran, and the United States and Mexico. Having been mined since as long ago as 3,000 BC, understandably the supply of the mineral is running low. This has led to replica gemstones becoming popular in jewellery in the modern day, and a higher worth placed on real turquoise. Turquoise has a historical background rivalled by no other gemstone. The mummy of Queen Zer, the ancient Eqyptian monarch, was discovered adorned in bright turquoise bracelets when she was excavated in nineteen hundred. She had chosen the precious stone to wear for 7,500 years. And think about the iconic gold death mask of Tutankhamen: it too is set with precious turquoise gems. The reason behind its historical significance is that turquoise has been highly respected by a lot of ancient colonies who considered it held powerful unearthly qualities. Around Asia the jewel was believed to defend against the evil eye, and the Aztecs reserved the stone for the Gods in religious masks. In the 16th century American Indians believed that turquoise embodied the spirits of the sea and sky, using it as a type of exchange and also to bring fortune and protection to warriors and hunters. Even these days turquoise is deemed to have protective properties. In modern gemstone therapy it is believed to enhance self confidence and minimize depression, stomach problems, viral infections and rheumatism. If presented as a gift turquoise is considered a sign of friendship. Whether you believe in these superstitions or not, it's difficult not to see the beauty which this show-stopping stone posesses. 2011-11-17 Start blogging by clicking in this area. Then simply type whatever you wish. You can also drag an object from the left hand column into this area. This will allow you to add pictures, videos, etc. to your blog posts.
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