December’s birthstone is Turquoise and is also well known as the 5th and 11th wedding anniversary gemstone. Its hue can span from the normal green blue to a light sky blue. It is thought by some that turquoise got its name from “pierre turquoise” which means “Turkish stone” in the French language.
Some people think that the name comes from the Persian word “fiouze” which translates as turquoise. The Egyptians mined turquoise as far back as 6,000 BC. Some may be surprised when they find out that the finest turquoise comes from Iran, not the American Southwest. You can find exclusive pieces in areas such as Arizona and also New Mexico, and areas such as Australia and Afghanistan.
For centuries turquoise has been treated as a holy gem stone and as a good fortune talisman. Ancient Egyptian tombs from about 3,000 B.C. contain the oldest proof of human kind’s awareness of turquoise. There were lovely artifacts adorned with this popular gem stone that were hidden with the royal dead.
The tomb of Queen Zer was unburied in 1900. There was a turquoise and gold bracelet found on her wrist, making it one of the oldest pieces of jewelry ever found.
Turquoise has had a sacred place in the holy rites of North American Indians and by the Tibetans who embrace it in their rituals and ceremonies. People all over the world think that turquoise has the ability to promote mental and spiritual clarity to enhance wisdom, trust, understanding, and kindness.
Ancient Persians also thought that the sky blue gemstones could be worn as a form of protection to ward off unnatural death if it was worn around the neck. This gemstone is known world wide as being a good luck charm to help avert accidents.
Turquoise is not only beautiful to look at but its bright color offers self confidence to different personalities, and is normally given as a token of friendship. Turquoise is allied to faithful and long lasting relationships.
By: Martin Mallett