Turquoise

Turquoise

The Sagittarius Birthstone and for 5th and 11th Wedding Anniversary jewelry

If cold December gave you birth
The month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue
Success will bless whate'er you do.

What are Turquoise?
What exactly are Turquoise? Learn about the gem before you buy Turquoise gifts and jewelry. The definition of a Turquoise is as follows:

  • The word Turquoise is derived from the Greek word "Turkois" meaning "Turkish" because it was first brought from Turkey

  • It is a blue to gray green mineral consisting of copper aluminum phosphate. It is the only gemstone belonging to the phosphates family. It is a hydrous phosphate of aluminum with a small percentage of copper which gives it the blue coloring. When associated with iron the color tends to be greenish

  • Turquoise is formed over millions of years by a chemical reaction that occurs when water leaks through rocks which contain specific minerals such as copper and aluminum. The percentages of the minerals in the rock dictate the gemstone’s shade

  • Natural turquoise may have been cut and polished, but no artificial changes have been made to the gemstones

  • Like diamonds, gemstones are graded by color, cut, clarity and carat weight.

  • Blue turquoise is valued as a gemstone

The Colors of Turquoise
Turquoise come in a wide range of natural colors and shades including blue, green and yellow-green. Color is mainly caused by the gemstones's selective absorption of certain wavelengths of light called the body color. In gemstones, color consists of three components:

  • Hue - the first impression of the color
  • Tone - the lightness or darkness of color ranging from light to medium to dark
  • Saturation - the intensity of a gemstone's color which is measured from dull to strong to vivid

Birthstone Facts and Information about Turquoise
The following list provides Birthstone facts and information about the Turquoise:

  • The Turquoise is the birthstone of the month of December
  • It is also the Wedding anniversary gemstone for the 5th and 11th year of marriage
  • Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
  • Sagittarius dates: November 23 - December 21
  • Sagittarius - The Ninth Sign of the Zodiac: The sign of the Archer
  • Ruling Planet of Sagittarius: Jupiter
  • Alternate Birthstones of Sagittarius: Topaz, Beryl, Blue Topaz, Blue Zircon, Rubies, Lapis Lazuli and Citrine

Symbolism, Significance and Properties
The properties with which the Turquoise, the birthstone of the Zodiac sign of Sagittarius, is associated are as follows:

  • Prosperity, success, happiness and good fortune

  • Open communication, protection against all diseases, regeneration, and strengthening

Healing Properties of the Turquoise
The healing properties of the Sagittarius birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to:

  • Throat, lungs, asthma, teeth, depression

  • Infections

Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise jewelry is extremely popular especially for those nearest and dearest. The tradition of giving gifts of jewelry containing these stones dates back thousands of years. The gemstone, or birthstone Turquoise is believed to conduct the energies of the planet Jupiter with which it is sympathetic and that wearing jewelry containing the gemstone will focus the energies of the planet and sign through the gem. Learn about the gem before you buy Turquoise gifts and jewelry. All different types of jewelry containing Turquoise are available including:

  • Rings

  • Brooches

  • Pins

  • Cufflinks

  • Bracelets

  • Pendants

  • Earrings

  • Necklaces

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