Turquoise, Topaz and Tanzanite…the three T’s!
Buying Jewellery with personal meaning often involves a person’s birthstone. Birthstones are precious or semi-precious gemstones that are associated with each month of the year. In each case they are considered lucky for their particular months and for those who believe in such things their healing powers are supposed to be heightened during these times. Giving a person born in the month of December a piece of jewellery containing their birthstone is supposed to bring them love, happiness and luck.
If cold December gave you birth
the month of snow and ice and mirth
Place on your hand a turquoise blue;
Success will bless whatever you do.
— A. K. Phila 1907
The traditional birthstone for the month of December is Turquoise. The name is believed to originate from the French phrase “pierre turquoise” meaning “Turkish stone” because turquoise was brought to Europe by Venetian merchants who first acquired it in Turkish bazaars.
More modern school of thought believe that the December birthstone is Topaz or Tanzanite
Topaz is a popular and durable gem, occurring in a wide range of colours. Although topaz is frequently associated with being blue. The Ancient Greeks believed it had power to increase strength and to make its wearer invisible while the Romans believed it had power to improve eyesight. The Ancient Egyptians wore it as an amulet to protect them from injury.
Found in just one place on earth, tanzanite is a relatively recent discovery. This beautiful gemstone was named after Tanzania, the country where it was found in 1967, by Tiffany & Co. Tanzanite’s exquisite colour can range from a deep blue, reminiscent of a sapphire, to a lighter violet-blue. Tanzanite will often appear blue, blue-violet or violet when looked at from different angles and is one of the rarer gemstones.
