Turquoise for December and Always

Turquoise is often thought of as the essence of summer in a gemstone, its shades of blue-green akin to the Mediterranean Sea.

As the birthstone of December, however, turquoise is assuredly a stone for all seasons, and how glad we are of that.

Most customers will be familiar with turquoise and recognize the stone when they see it. What they may not know, however, is how many varieties of the stone exist, spanning the globe in origin and how they can differ in appearance from one to the next.

Don’t Sleep On Turquoise

Sleeping Beauty turquoise, for example, has become a very popular variety for designers to work with. This gorgeous gem appears in a smooth, silky blue, rarely showing a matrix (meaning there are no lines or striations as we sometimes see in other types of turquoise). Hailing from the now-defunct Sleeping Beauty mine in Globe, Arizona, the stone carries with it a limited supply, making it all the more tempting for turquoise shoppers to seek out. Currently, there are plenty of styles on the market using Sleeping Beauty turquoise, and we love them all.

Speaking of Arizona, turquoise is only found in dry, barren conditions, making desert landscapes prime locations for the gem. Which is exactly why it was important in Egypt, where evidence has been found of mining tools used to exploit ancient turquoise mines. Numerous archaeological digs have unearthed turquoise treasures from jewelry to sculptures, though the gem was still reportedly rare.

If the styles curated here were mapped out by origin, you’d see a very crowded Arizona (as well as Nevada), with the Sleeping Beauty variety and another turquoise locale—Kingman. One of the oldest and highest producing in America—and the last full-time, commercial mine—the Kingman Mine generates a number of different turquoise hues, though it’s prized for that perfect shade of blue. You’ll see many gorgeous examples of that lined up here.

The holiday season is awash in glittery jewels and gems that sparkle (who doesn’t crave glitz and glam this time of year?). Though turquoise doesn’t shine in the same way, it’s got a power all its own, and those born in December (and others, too) will be glad to see it on display this holiday.

Ring in 14k yellow gold with turquoise and 0.38 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,280; Classique Creations

Hexagon ring in 14k yellow gold with 0.6 ct. sapphire, turquoise, and 0.13 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,165; Shula New York

Simple & Sexy earrings in 18k white gold with turquoise, red sapphires, and diamonds, price on request; Sanalitro Gioielli Milano

Pocket knife with Kingman turquoise and abalone, price on request; Santa Fe Stoneworks

Necklace in 14k yellow gold with 51 cts. t.w. Kingsman turquoise and 0.05 ct. t.w. diamonds, price on request; Izi Creations

Imperial collection ring in 18k yellow gold with 0.75 ct. turquoise and 0.35 ct. t.w. rubies, price on request; Kouzoupis

PiYaRo bangle in sterling silver and 14k yellow gold with turquoise, price on request; Aiya Designs

Earrings in 18k white gold with turquoise, green agate, and diamonds, price on request; Evanueva

Ring in 18k yellow gold with sphene and Sleeping Beauty turquoise, price on request; Brenda Smith

Ring in sterling silver with 1.72 cts. t.w. Sleeping Beauty turquoise, Swiss blue topaz, and white zircon, price on request; Gemcolorz

Earrings in 14k yellow gold with Kingman turquoise and diamonds, $4,070; Just Jules

Ring in 14k yellow gold with turquoise and 0.78 ct. t.w. diamonds, Crush Fine Jewelry

Bermuda dangle earrings in 14k white gold with turquoise and diamonds, $2,450; John Atencio

Elephant necklace with 16.5 cts. t.w. Robins Egg Blue Turquoise, Passion Ruby, Chocolate Diamonds, and Nude Diamonds, $30,397; Le Vian

Necklace in 14k yellow gold with Sleeping Beauty turquoise and diamonds, price on request; Mabel Chong

Ring in 14k yellow gold with 2.81 ct. turquoise and 0.41 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,350; Artistry, Ltd.

Earrings in 14k yellow gold and sterling silver with turquoise and 0.22 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,000; Vahan

Glitter bangle in sterling silver with pave turquoise, $649; Samuel B.

House of Cards ring in sterling silver with turquoise and diamonds, $99; Anna Zuckerman

Ring in 14k white gold with 5.95 ct. turquoise and 1.66 cts. t.w. diamonds, $12,910; Yael Designs

Bracelet in sterling silver with turquoise, $119; Ti Sento Milano

Heart earrings in yellow gold with 0.36 ct. t.w. turquoise and 0.29 ct. t.w. diamonds, $1,180; Shy Creation

Ring in 18k yellow gold with 1.66 cts. t.w. turquoise and 0.56 ct. t.w. diamonds, $4,345; Sloane Street

Ithica bracelet in sterling silver with Kingman turquoise, $2,450; William Henry

Eternity necklace in 18k yellow gold qith 24.62 cts. t.w. Sleeping Beauty turquoise, $4,000; Sur Jewelry

Earrings in 24k fair trade gold vermeil with turquoise and pearls, $200; Joyla Jewelry

Snake earrings in 18k yellow gold with 0.08 ct. t.w. turquoise and 0.35 ct. t.w. diamonds, $2,110; Doves Jewelry 

Dragonfly earrings in 18k yellow gold with amethyst and turquoise, $23,875; Lali Jewelry 

Sprinkle ring in 18k yellow gold with 12.26 ct. turquoise, 0.16 ct. t.w. rubies, and 0.09 ct. t.w. diamonds, $5,220; Lauren K

Cuff bracelet in sterling silver and yellow gold with turquoise and blue topaz, $895; Michou

Something Blue earrings in sterling silver with turquoise and white zircon, price on request; Dallas Prince Designs

Flower earrings in 18k white gold with 89.18 cts. t.w. Sleeping Beauty turquoise and 0.04 ct. t.w. diamonds, $3,960; Tresor