Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise is one of the most prized semi-precious stones of all, particularly in the fashion industry where it enjoys seemingly perennial trendiness. Beautiful in many forms, colors, and textures, turquoise is a stone whose quality is hard to define. Some people prefer the absolutely clear blue color of the "Sleeping Beauty" variety, while others like the "spiderweb" look created by vein inclusions of other minerals. The word "turquoise" comes from a medieval spelling of the french word for "Turkish." It's not known whether the French believed Turkey to be a place where the stone was mined or whether the name was simply created out of a color association with the gorgeous blue-green hue seen in so much Turkish architecture and design.
Symbolism, Legend, and Healing Properties: In many ancient cultures across the globe, turquoise was seen as a talisman and a good luck charm. It was once believed that turquoise could also indicate health: if the stone changed color, the wearer should prepare for illness. However, in modern times, it's become apparent that all turquoise changes color over time, not due to poor health, but as a result of a chemical reaction due to environmental factors, e.g., perspiration, oils, cosmetics, sunlight.
Turquoise is a December birthstone.
Turquoise Earrings
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