Turquoise Jewellery: The Ideal Gift for a December Birthday

 

The birth stone of December is turquoise, an awe-inspiring azure gemstone that's been capturing eyes and hearts for hundreds of years. Wearing the birthstone associated with your birthday is believed to create good fortune and protection, and what better way to wear it than in an elegant turquoise necklace or bracelet, hand made and finished in Sterling silver or solid 9ct gold.

Turquoise is made of hydrated copper aluminium phosphate and it is found in igneous rocks which are rich in aluminium. Translated literally it means “Turkish”, a nod to its history when Levantine traders shipped the stone into Europe via Turkey. Turquoise is one of the very few opaque gemstones, giving it a unique deep-pigmented colour which can vary from bright green to sky blue depending on its make-up, without or with black veins running throughout the stone known as its matrix. Bright blue is regarded as the desired type of the stone, a popular colour in fashion and jewellery. Turquoise and blue topaz are the birthstones of December, and Turquoise is additionally the traditional gemstone for those celebrating their 6th or 11th wedding anniversaries.

Turquoise was one of the earliest semi-precious gems to be excavated, mainly in the Sinai region of Egypt, Iran, and also the United States and Mexico. Having been mined since as long ago as 3,000 BC, understandably the supply of the mineral is currently low. This has triggered replica gemstones becoming popular in jewellery in the modern day, resulting in a higher worth placed on genuine turquoise.

Turquoise offers a historical past rivalled by no other gem stone. The mummy of Queen Zer, the ancient Eqyptian monarch, was discovered adorned in four vivid turquoise bracelets when she was excavated in nineteen hundred. She had chosen the precious stone to wear for 7,500 years. And consider the iconic gold mask of Tutankhamen: it too is set with valuable turquoise stones.

The reason for its historical significance is that turquoise has been highly respected by a great number of ancient colonies who considered it held strong unearthly properties. Around Asia the gem stone was believed to protect against the evil eye, and the Aztecs reserved the stone for the Gods in ceremonial masks. In the 16th century American Indians thought that turquoise embodied the spirits of the ocean and skies, using it as a form of currency and to bring success and protection to fighters and hunters.

Even these days turquoise is considered to have protective properties. In modern gemstone therapy it is believed to increase confidence and minimize depressive disorders, stomach problems, viral infections and rheumatism. If given as a gift turquoise is considered a sign of friendship. Whether you believe in these legends or not, it’s difficult to ignore the beauty which this eye-catching stone posesses.

Make It an 18th Birthday to Remember Forever With Birthstone Jewellery

Wearing birthstones associated with the month of one’s birth has been a tradition for at least 4 centuries. They were once thought to have magical powers and to bring the wearer good luck. Today, they make wonderful gifts for 18th or 21st birthdays. In case you didn’t know, for at least 500 years, each month has had a particular precious stone associated with it. Though the exact links have varied somewhat over the centuries, according to modern tradition they are: garnet for January; amethyst for February; aquamarine for March; crystal quartz for April; Emerald or chrysoprase for May; pearl or moonstone for June; Ruby for July; peridot for August; sapphire for September; pink opal or tourmaline for October; citrine for November; turquoise or blue topaz for December.

When it comes to so significant a date as an 18th or 21st birthday, something so linked to one’s origins is a great way to mark and remember the occasion. The tradition of wearing birthstones is thought to date back to at least Biblical times. Exodus describes the prophet Aaron is described as wearing a breastplate inset with twelve precious stones, each representing one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. From there, different precious stones became associated with different signs of the zodiac and, over time, this became a belief that certain precious stones were linked to certain months of the year.

The tradition of wearing birthstones arose in Poland, probably during either the fifteenth or sixteenth century. At that time it was believed that certain stones held magical powers and each birthstone’s power would become greater during their particular month. For that reason, people of the time would rotate the birthstone they wore in line with the months. Some people still follow this tradition and so invest in a full set of the twelve birthstones. Everybody wants an 18th or 21st birthday gift that carries some significance and isn’t just something that is mass-produced.

Buying birthstone jewellery as 18th or 21st gifts allows one to create something that is truly personalised. All of the fittings are made in solid Sterling silver or 9 carat gold. To add to the individual character of each piece, one can choose to have the wearer’s name or initials incorporated into the chain or added as one of a wide selection of charms. Birthstones are available fitted as ever popular rings, bracelets, pendants or larger (but still delicate) necklaces. All of these choices are available in a range of styles and designs to suit any taste.

From charm bracelets laced with a variety of luck-bringing symbols to Sterling silver rings handmade by big name designers. Of course, precious stones can be expensive, but one can still give an impressive looking gift without spending a small fortune. Birthstones can also be made by colouring Swarovski crystal. Ensure you are dealing with a reputable supplier. Some imitation birthstones can look correct, but are only made of glass and plastic. When marking an 18th or 21st birthday, one doesn’t want to be handing over what is essentially children’s play jewellery!

Reputable jewellers will ensure that even their imitation stones are of the highest quality. Once you’ve invested in that perfect 18th or 21st birthday gift, you want to make sure it lives up to all your expectations. Also make sure to ask about the jeweller’s aftercare package when buying. The best should offer a cleaning service so the lucky bearer can keep their piece looking bright without damaging it. Whether you believe in superstitions or not, birthstone gifts jewellery certainly makes a great gift for an 18th or 21st birthday. The association of a particular stone with a particular month has a particular significance.