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Birthstone for December - Turquoise
By Sam and Tami Serio
Morning Light Jewelry
December Birthstone: Turquoise
Birthstone
Properties:
Alternative
Birthstone: Lapis Lazuli
Turquoise is the birthstone for December and the traditional gift to
commemorate the 5th and 11th years of marriage. It's color is,
of course, is referred to as turquoise, but the hue can range
Turquoise Jewelry
widely from the familiar green-blue to a light sky-blue.
It is generally accepted that turquoise gets its name from "pierre
turquoise" a French phrase meaning "Turkish stone." Others believe that
the name comes from the Persian word "fiouze," meaning the color
turquoise. Ancient and yet always at the height of current fashion,
turquoise was mined by early Egyptians as early as 6000 BC.
Many people are surprised to learn that the finest turquoise comes from
Iran, not the American Southwest. However beautiful specimens are also
found in Arizona and New Mexico in the United States, as well as in
Australia, Afghanistan and other localities in the Middle East.
Sacred Stone For thousands of years, turquoise has been appreciated as a
holy stone, talisman, and a good-luck-charm. The excavation of Egyptian
tombs from approximately 3,000 B.C. holds the oldest living proof of man's
interest in turquoise, where the gemstone was found decorating artifacts
that were buried with the dead. When the tomb of Queen Zer was unearthed
in 1900, a turquoise and gold bracelet was found on her wrist, one of the
oldest pieces of jewelry ever discovered!
In ancient Persian, the sky-blue gemstones were originally worn around the
neck or on the hand as protection to ward off unnatural death. If the
stones changed their color, there was an imminent danger for the wearer.
Turquoise also has a sacred place in the religious rites of North American
Indians and by the Tibetans, whose shamans include it in rituals and
ceremonies. Turquoise is said to promote mental and spiritual clarity to
enhance wisdom, trust, kindness, and understanding.
You've Got the Power Apache Indians believed that turquoise gave warriors
and hunters better aim and Zuni tribes believed that it protected them
from demons. In Asia, turquoise was considered protection against the evil
eye, while Tibetans carved turquoise into ritual objects.
Wherever in the world it is worn and loved, turquoise is believed to
promote prosperity. Traveler's Aid For centuries, turquoise was
thought to protect riders and horses from falls. Today the beautiful stone
is considered a good luck "charm" for aviators, flight staff and other
professionals who need to ward off accidents.
Turquoise's bright and happy color is supposed to lend self-confidence to
subdued personalities, and it is also very popular as a token of
friendship, since Turquoise is reputed to be responsible for faithfulness
and reliable relationships.
More information about Turquoise
The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been
passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years.
For more information on jewelry and gemstones, we cordially invite you to
visit
www.morninglightjewelry.com to pick up your FREE copy of "How To
Buy Jewelry And Gemstones Without Being Ripped Off." This concise,
informative special report reveals almost everything you ever wanted to
know about jewelry and gemstones, but were afraid to ask. Get your FREE
report at
www.morninglightjewelry.com . |
