December Birthstone Guide - Turquoise

birthstones overview

TURQUOISEview turquoise jewellery

Auspicious, natural and fashionable - turquoise is the birthstone for December

Riches, beauty and history

Turquoise was one of the first gemstones to be mined and has come in and out
of fashion through-out history. It was very popular in Victorian times and
the Aztecs decorated their ceremonial masks with turquoise stones.
An important gemstone, with its own place in history, it is called
turquoise after the Turkish, who first introduced it to Europe from Persia.

Radiant ancient gem

This stunning gemstone, intense in its colours, has been coveted
for its beauty since ancient times. Turquoise varies in colour,
from blue to green, depending on the balance of copper
and iron in its make up. The most desirable turquoise
is believed to be the sky blue gem from Persia, however
in Tibet greener turquoise is equally prized. The highest
quality turquoise is pure, radiant and sky blue.
The more the colour tends towards green and the
more irregular the matrix, the lower the estimate
of the stone's quality. Turquoise is beautiful
in jewellery and makes an exquisite birthstone gift.