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The month of December shines with the birthstone of turquoise––a stone as rich in colour as it is in a history of lore and legends. Get ready to learn everything there is to know about the gorgeous blue-green stone that radiates for those born in December all month long.
Having been around for centuries, turquoise is one of the world's oldest gemstones. With its name derived from the French expression pierre tourques––a translation to “Turkish stone”––it is believed that the first turquoise gemstones were discovered in Turkey.
From there, the breathtakingly beautiful gemstone was found to have been buried in Ancient Egyptian tombs dating back to 4,000 B.C.––making the jewellery found within these tombs some of the oldest in the world.
A piece of turquoise history trivia: Montezuma II, an Aztec emperor, gifted a turquoise gemstone to conquistador Hernan Cortes from Spain. Why? At the time, he was said to have mistakenly believed that Cortes was Quetzalcoatl––a god who would rule and protect their Aztec empire.
The breathtaking stone has made several appearances throughout modern history, with Queen Mary owning a varied collection of Persian turquoise jewellery, including a tiara, necklace, brooch, and earrings. Princess Margaret was next to own the tiara, wearing it until her death in 2002.
The lore of ancient Persians and native Americans overflows with mentions of turquoise. Starting with the Apache tribe, who lived by the enchantment that arrows or bows made of turquoise would forever shoot accurately and ensure a successful hunt.
Conversely, the Navajo Native Americans believed that the stone of turquoise would bring harvests rich with rain, while ancient Persians believed that if the surface of a turquoise stone reflected a new moon, it would bring you luck in bounds.
The December birthstone reflects an array of favourable personality traits, from happiness, honesty and spirituality to strength, serenity, and creativity. The following poem sums it up quite sweetly.
"If cold December gave you birth,
The month of snow and ice and mirth,
Place on your hand a turquoise blue,
Success will bless whate'er you do."
-Anonymous
Although modern medicine has no bearing on spiritual healing, believers once thought that the healing properties of turquoise could resolve breathing problems, heal infections, improve vision, and alleviate depression and anxiety.
Anytime is the right time to gift turquoise. After all, it's a beautiful stone, but if you're looking for a particular occasion, then you can't go past the following:
A bonus is that turquoise is a relatively inexpensive gemstone, making it easy to attain.
Choosing an engagement ring that holds your December birthstone is also becoming increasingly popular. Birthstone engagement rings allow the wearer to honour their birth and life-long love together.
Like any other gemstone, the turquoise gemstone can be graded and, when done, is subject to three factors: colour, texture and matrix––the black, spider-web markings found on the stone.
The stones with the highest value are those that are a clear, consistent bright blue, even in colour––often referred to as "Persian blue" by jewellers in the trade.
The presence of a spider-web matrix, formed by the iron in limonite or sandstone––the rock that surrounds turquoise in its natural state––will lower its value.
To obtain a turquoise stone of the highest quality and value, seek one that is the colour of a Robin's egg with a smooth texture and absent of a matrix.
It's worth noting that although a turquoise gemstone does not offer the sparkle and shine of its counterparts––diamonds, rubies, emeralds and the like––it does not make it any less beautiful, instead making it unique.
Regarding the Mohs Hardness Scale, turquoise gemstones rate anywhere between 5.0-6.0 making them quite soft compared to a diamond rating of 10.0. Being more delicate, it is less durable and vulnerable to scratches and nicks. On the flip side, it is an ideal stone for carving and is used worldwide to create artistic pieces.
Adding or choosing a birthstone, such as the turquoise gemstone of December, for an engagement ring is a unique way to add a touch of personalisation to the gift of forever.
As mentioned, all gemstones rank differently on the Mohs Hardness Scale, meaning that some stones are more susceptible to wear and tear than others.
If you want to include your December birthstone in an engagement ring, consider the hardness of the stone and opt for specialised jewellery insurance. This will ensure that your precious December birthstone and engagement ring are covered regardless of damage, loss or theft.
In need of jewellery insurance? With Q Report, you can feel safe knowing that your valuable jewellery is protected. No matter the stone or piece, we've got you covered. Click here to get an instant quote, or give us a call on 1300 882 018. We are always happy to help.
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