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Turquoise is a valuable mineral and is one of the most valuable non-transparent minerals used in the jewelry trade. It has been mined by early Egyptians since at least 6000 BC. Most specimens are cryptocrystalline, meaning that the crystals can only be seen by a microscope. The finest turquoise comes from Iran but is challenged by some southwestern United States specimens. Poorer quality turquoise is often dyed or color stabilized with coatings of various resins. The name comes from a French word which means stone of Turkey.
A sacred stone for the North American Indians as well as the Tibetans, it is often used by shamans in rituals and ceremonies. It is said to promote mental and spiritual clarity and expansion and to enhance wisdom, trust , kindness and understanding.
The color is, of course, turquoise, but this color actually varies from very green blue to light sky blue shades. Hardness of the stone ranges between 5 - 6. The color can change with exposure to skin oils if the stone has not been stabilized and therefore, jewelry should be wiped clean to deter this. Besides Iran, turquoise can be found in Arizona and New Mexico, USA, Australia, Afghanistan and other localities in the Middle East.
If you are thinking of a great present to give to someone who has been born in the month of December, then giving an item with his or her birthstone would always be a good idea. It is a safe and ideal choice for a gift. You could give a piece of or any other item that has his or her December birthstone on it.
Birthstones are just basically precious or semi-precious stones that are associated with the birth dates or rather, birth months for many, many centuries now. They are available in different striking colors, sizes, textures and shapes.
Initially, the people of different cultures designate specific semi-precious gemstones for each month depending on their zodiac sign until eventually, it was assigned for each month. Now, although the stone choice that represent the months actually differ from one culture to another, one thing remains consistent: that wearing birthstones can effectively bring better health and well-being as well as good fortune. There are even some who believe that these semi-precious stones actually have 'powers'.
Turquoise could well be the most known of the man December birthstones. This is probably because of its high value and its unique color. It is often known to be the modern December birthstone. Additionally, turquoise is one of the more valuable of the non-transparent minerals that are commonly used to create jewelry.
Also a December birthstone is the zircon. This semi-precious stone is sometimes mistaken to be a because of its fire and luster. Generally, zircon comes in varying hues of greens and browns greens.
Another modern December birthstone would be the blue topaz. It is the hardest of the silicate minerals and is known to symbolize love and fidelity.
Other less popular December birthstones are the tanzanite, ruby, lapis or lapiz lazuli, chrysoprase and onyx.