December's Birthstone - Turquoise
As we have finally reached the end of the year, we say hello to a new birthstone!
Turquoise is believed to possess many beneficial powers. From the 13th century on, turquoise was believed to protect the wearer from falling (particularly from horses) and would break into several pieces at the approach of disaster. Hindu mystics maintained that seeing a turquoise after beholding the new moon ensured fantastic wealth – how crazy is that! Turquoise is considered a national treasure in Tibet, where it is believed to grant health, good fortune, and protection from evil.
The earliest evidence of turquoise gemstones comes from ancient Egyptian tombs which contained elaborate turquoise jewellery dating back to 3000BCE. The oldest turquoise mines are in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt. Turquoise has been mined in the Nishapur district of Iran for more than 1,000 years. The prized even-coloured, intense blue turquoise from this region is dubbed “robin’s egg blue”, “sky blue” and “Persian blue”. China is the largest producer of this December birthstone. Hubei Province, in Central China, is the source of most of the gem – quality turquoise currently being mined there.
Turquoise is a bright blue (and sometimes greenish) mineral formed by a chemical reaction that happens when water with certain minerals like copper and aluminium leaks through rocks. The Himalayan ground in which Turquoise is discovered by Tibetan miners, gives it a distinctive greenish colour which makes Tibetan turquoise highly desirable. Whereas the gemstones that are found in Persian and Egyptian mines are bluer. The brown and black veining is known as the matrix.
Another early appeal for the gemstone is believed to come from the Native Americans who discovered turquoise in Nevada and Arizona. Its vibrant waves of blue ran through the rocks beneath their feet and led them to believe it could only come from the sky. This led them to value the stone during life and in death. Its versatility has meant that the gemstone has remained in demand as it can go with any outfit.
Our turquoise jewellery is the perfect gift for people who were born in December or for people who love the colour blue! Our sterling silver and vermeil plated jewellery is all made from recycled metals and responsibly sourced gemstones. Which means that you can shop sustainably with a clear mind!
