DECEMBER BIRTHSTONE - TURQUOISE

The Native Americans ascribe spiritual power to the gem and is believed to calm the mind and relax tension in the body. It is said to soothe the emotions and reduce stress. The Native Americans often carve the stone in animal shapes which represent different divinities. These shapes would then be left on the burial sites to guard the dead. They also believe that the gem can ward off illness. When given as a gift, it is said to bring happiness and riches to the recipient. Warriors often attached turquoise to their bows and arrows to ensure that their shots hit the desired target.

Turquoise registers a six on the Mohs scale of hardness. This means it is not as hard as many other gemstones, which is why it is often dyed and treated with resins to make the stone harder, although it does polish well and is used extensively in all kinds of jewellery including rings, necklaces and bracelets. This porous opaque stone is easily discoloured by oil and pigments, and changes colour when it loses some of its water content. A sky blue shade in turquoise is due to the presence of copper, while iron gives it a greener tone. Ochre and brown-black veins in the stone occur during the formation of turquoise, caused by inclusions from nearby rock fragments or from oxide staining. The most valued variety of turquoise is an intense sky blue colour, like the colour of a robin’s egg.

Turquoise can be found in Armenia, Kazakhstan, China, Australia, Tibet, China, Mexico, Brazil, and Egypt. In Iran, where some of the best stones are found, turquoise is the national gem. The American Southwest, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico and California are primary producers of turquoise. Many of the specimens have a light colour, and are porous and chalky — only about 10% is of gem quality.