Turquoise Necklace

Turquoise is the gemstone of December birthdays and also the gift to give for fifth wedding anniversaries. It's been considered precious since ancient days and still today is a decidedly beautiful stone that makes up into beautiful jewelry creations.

It's comes in a range of colors from whitish, to various shades of blue and green. That's because of the minerals that it contains. Copper lends it the green color and iron and chrome lend it the blue color.

The range of colors and shapes makes it a very versatile gem and one that jewelery designers love. It takes on a look and feel that varies with the way it is set and the metal it is set into.

Depending upon the design of the jewelry, it can look rugged and heavy or delicate and pretty and can be worn by both men and women.

Sometimes it's put into designs for everyday wear, and sometimes it's fashioned into beautiful evening wear pieces. It can be used in bracelets, earrings, or other pieces, but certainly the turquoise necklace is among the oldest and most traditional expressions of this gemstone.

Turquoise has been seen as symbolic in many ways throughout the years. Coming from the earth, it is recognized as an organic expression of the earth's energy.

Thus it has been considered to be one of the symbols of life itself and has been given to seal friendships. It has been thought to be a harbinger of prosperity and abundance as well as of health and happiness.

Many healers have used it in healing ceremonies because of its spiritual properties. It can be laid on the part of the body that is hurting as prayers and blessings are said.

It can be worn on an everyday basis by those who are seeking these blessings, and a necklace is the perfect way to carry this with you always.

Turquoise has been recognized for it's special qualities since earliest times in Mesopotamia, Persia, Egypt, and parts of Asia. We know that for sure because jewelry pieces have been found from these places that have been set with turquoise jewels.

In fact, the area that was called Persia is the leading provider of high quality turquoise today. When you wear turquoise you're making a link between yourself and ancient peoples that will give you strength and hope.

In the southwest United States, the Navajo Indians and the Zuni Indians are known for their use of turquoise. In fact, turquoise and native American artist are almost synonyms for each other. Because these people are also expert silversmiths, they've combined the gem with beautiful hammered silver to make pieces of jewelry that are desired the world over.

When you see one you know it's come from the southwest and are reminded of native American wisdom traditions. Turquoise necklaces are indeed beautiful, and there are at least three different kinds. There's the pendant necklace, the beaded necklace, and the squash blossom necklace.

Squash blossoms have an amulet called a naja that is shaped like a crescent moon and small beads that remind one of a squash blossom or a pomegranate blossom. They're popular as native American pieces. Beaded types come in different lengths and combine with varying size beads.

Pendants can be in any shape because turquoise is soft and moldable and is great for expressing a designer's creativity. So if you're looking for a signature piece of jewelry that can span the ages, get a turquoise necklace and wear it proudly.