Watches

December birthstone: Turquoise jewellery to shop this month

18.12.2021

By Genie Leong

December birthstone: Turquoise jewellery to shop this month

Dating back as far as 6000 BC, turquoise was one of the first gemstones ever mined. Some of the earliest evidence of turquoise is found in artefacts from Ancient Egypt, who buried their dead with it and other valuables. The Aztecs also saw the value in turquoise and handcrafted elaborate masks out of the gemstone. The stone is prevalent throughout Native American culture too; the Navajo and Zuni people have been well-known to create some of the most beautiful turquoise pieces such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, rings, pendants, belt buckles, and talismans.

Coming from the French word ‘turquoise’ which means ‘Turkish’, the gemstone got its name as it first arrived in Europe through Turkey from Iran. Although there are turquoise reserves and mines all over the world, the highest-quality stones come from Iran where it has been mined there for over 3,000 years.

Spiritually, turquoise has many physical healing properties, with the most frequently cited ones being that the gemstone aids ailments related to the throat—such as respiratory issues and sore throats—as well as maladies of the ears, nose, and lungs. Turquoise is also said to have significant effects on mental and emotional healing. It is believed to grant serenity, as it relaxes the mind; wisdom, for it encourages truth-seeking, communication, and higher intuition; and good fortune, as it protects and attracts hope.

Turquoise can be found in colours as pale as a milky blue, to the rich robin’s egg colour that is the most valuable hue in the trade. Most turquoise comes in a bright blue-green colour, which means that it looks stunning against any material, be it yellow or rose gold, white gold or silver. It also complements different skin tones, so you don’t have to worry too much about it clashing with your natural undertones. Natural turquoise nurtured by Mother Nature often comes with distinctive veins, while lab-made stones are vein-less and uniform in colour.

Take your pick from these exquisite pieces: 

Click here to shop our favourite topaz jewellery, November’s birthstone

SHARE THE STORY
Explore More