December Birthstone Turquoise

Finding a unique December birthstone turquoise gift need not be a challenge. There are plenty of gifts that are turquoise in color. Pieces of jewelry set with turquoise stones make ideal gifts. Many modern designers use turquoise, or a combination of turquoise and another stone. The turquoise may also be given as a gift for the 6th and 11th wedding anniversaries.

We hope the following suggestions will help...

December Birthstone Turquoise Jewelry

If you are buying jewelry as a December birthstone turquoise gift make sure you are buying the real thing as there are lots of imitation pieces on the market. You may decide that you like the price of the imitation jewelry and purchase it as an extra to go with another gift.

Books with Turquoise in their title

Look for the word turquoise in the title such as 'Turquoise Girl' by Aimee and David Thurlo. You may have to explain to the person that it is a birthstone related gift.

Turquoise Colored China

Try to find pieces of china that are turquoise in color or have at least a little bit of turquoise on them. Such as mugs, figurines, vases and dinner services.

Turquoise Colored Toiletries

Look for turquoise colored toiletries to purchase. If you are unable to find anything in a suitable color, place in a turquoise colored gift bag.

Facts about Turquoise

Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has lost some of its alure due to the introduction of treatments, imitation stones. Some of which are difficult to detect even by experts.

The very finest turquoise only reaches a hardness of just under 6 on the Mohs scale. Iranian turquoise is often considered superior to in color and hardness to any other deposits found around the world.

Turquoise is treated to enhance its color and durability. Thousands of years ago a light waxing and oiling were the first treatments used to enhance the color and luster of the stone. Oiled and waxed stones are prone to sweating when subjected to gentle heat. This will give them a white film on the surface over time.

The richness of color determines the value of the stone. The value decreases with the increase of green in in the stone and the amount of mottling in the stone.

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