Turquoise: December's Sacred Sky Stone

As December rolls in with clear blue skies and crisp, bright (but short) days, we celebrate one of humanity's oldest treasured gemstones — the beloved turquoise. With its distinctive robin's-egg blue that evokes both sky and water, this stone has been revered across cultures and centuries. For December birthdays, turquoise captures that crystalline winter clarity and the sacred connection between earth and heaven.

The Science of Turquoise

Turquoise is a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum — basically, it forms when water carrying copper and aluminum percolates through rocks over millions of years. Its distinctive blue color comes from copper, while aluminum and iron create variations toward green.

The chemical formula reveals why turquoise needs specific conditions to form: You need copper deposits, the right kind of aluminum-bearing rocks, phosphorus, and lots of water working together over super long time periods.

Unlike crystalline gems, turquoise is cryptocrystalline — made of microscopic crystals. This gives it an opaque appearance rather than the transparency of, say, sapphire. The stone rates 5-6 on the Mohs scale, making it relatively soft and porous.

That matrix you often see — those brown, black, or golden veins running through turquoise? That's the host rock, usually limonite (iron oxide) or sandstone. Many people love the matrix for its unique patterns and organic feel, while others prefer clean, solid blue turquoise (which is usually more expensive).

Color Variations

Sky Blue: The classic robin's-egg blue, considered most valuable in many markets Greenish-Blue: Common and beautiful, caused by iron replacing aluminum
Green Turquoise: Higher iron content creates apple-green tones
Spider Web Turquoise: Distinctive fine black matrix creating web-like patterns—highly prized
White Buffalo: Actually howlite or magnesite, not true turquoise (a common misnomer), but often mined near actual turquoise

Although the most prized color is that pure, even sky blue with no green tones, personal taste varies widely.

Where Turquoise Comes From: A Global Journey

Unlike many gemstones with limited sources, turquoise is found across the world, with each location producing distinctive characteristics:

Legendary Sources

Iran (Persia): Historically produced the world's finest turquoise from the Nishapur mines. Persian turquoise is famous for its pure sky-blue color with minimal matrix—the standard by which other turquoise is judged. Ancient, prestigious, and increasingly rare.

Southwestern United States:

• Sleeping Beauty Mine (Arizona): Produced some of the world's most perfect robin's-egg blue turquoise with virtually no matrix. Now closed, making existing material highly collectible
• Kingman Mine (Arizona): Still active, produces beautiful blue turquoise with distinctive matrix patterns
• Bisbee Mine (Arizona): Closed copper mine that produced gorgeous blue turquoise with chocolate matrix—extremely collectible
• Morenci Mine (Arizona): Produces turquoise with distinctive pyrite matrix
• Royston District (Nevada): Known for rich green-blue stones with unique, ribbon-like matrix
• Number 8 Mine (Nevada): Closed, produced distinctive turquoise with golden-brown matrix—highly sought after
• Lone Mountain (Nevada): Produces stunning spider web turquoise
• Cerrillos (New Mexico): Ancient source used by Native peoples for over 1,000 years
• And too many more to mention

China: Major commercial source, produces large quantities of varying quality. Some Chinese turquoise is exceptional, much is treated. The Cloud Mountain (Yungai) mine in Hubei is considered Asia's signature turquoise.

Egypt: Ancient source (Sinai Peninsula) that supplied pharaohs — largely depleted now but historically significant.

Tibet/Nepal: High-altitude sources produce distinctive greenish turquoise, sacred in Tibetan Buddhism.

Mexico: Various sources produce turquoise ranging from bright blue to green. The most widely known is from Sonora and includes Campitos turquoise.

Australia: Several sources including one that produces distinctive blue-green material.

Kazakhstan -Known as Golden Hills turquoise, with tones ranging from lavender to powder blue— extremely rare because the mine is only open about four months out of the year due to inclement weather. This turquoise is my personal favorite. 

The source matters significantly for value...Persian and high-grade American turquoise command premium prices.

Ancient and Sacred History

Turquoise might be the oldest gemstone in human history — there's evidence of turquoise mining in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula dating back to 3000 BCE. Ancient Egyptians adorned death masks, jewelry, and ceremonial objects with turquoise. King Tut's burial mask features elaborate turquoise inlay.

Ancient Persians believed turquoise protected against unnatural death. If the stone changed color, it warned of impending danger. They decorated everything from weapons to bridles with turquoise for protection.

Aztecs created elaborate turquoise mosaics and used the stone in religious ceremonies. They believed turquoise was too sacred for mere mortals and reserved it for the gods—humans could only wear it after it had been offered to deities.

In medieval Europe, turquoise in a ring was thought to protect riders from falling off horses and warn of poison by changing color.

Turquoise in Native American Culture

For many Native American tribes, particularly in the Southwest, turquoise holds profound spiritual significance:

Sacred Connection: Turquoise represents the connection between sky and earth, heaven and water. It's considered a sacred gift from the earth.

Protection and Healing: Worn and used ceremonially for protection, healing, and attracting good fortune. Many tribes believe turquoise has living spirit.

Trade and Wealth: Turquoise was a valuable trade commodity long before European contact. Pueblo peoples mined turquoise at Cerrillos over a thousand years ago.

Artistic Tradition: The distinctive silver-and-turquoise jewelry we associate with Native American art evolved in the late 1800s when Native artisans (particularly Navajo and Zuni) combined traditional turquoise work with silversmithing learned from Spanish colonizers. This created an entirely new art form.

Ceremonial Use: Turquoise features prominently in ceremonies, sand paintings, and religious objects. Different tribes have specific traditions and beliefs about turquoise's power.

Modern Artistry: Native American turquoise jewelry represents a living art tradition. Contemporary Native artists create everything from traditional squash blossom necklaces to cutting-edge modern designs, with turquoise remaining central to their work.

It's important to note that a lot of "Native American jewelry" sold today is actually made overseas — authentic Native-made jewelry should be marked as such and purchased from reputable sources. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act protects against fraudulent marketing.

December's Birthstone and Astrology

Turquoise is December's traditional birthstone, though tanzanite and zircon are often mentioned as alternatives. Astrologically, turquoise has specific sign associations:

Sagittarius (November 22 - December 21)

Most of December falls under Sagittarius, and this is where turquoise truly resonates:

• Turquoise perfectly matches Sagittarius's love of adventure, truth-seeking, and spiritual exploration. The stone's connection to sky and far horizons reflects Sagittarius's need for freedom
• Topaz (featured in November!) also connects with Sagittarius energy

Capricorn (December 22 - January 19)

For late December birthdays moving into Capricorn:

• Garnet and Onyx are the traditional Capricorn stones (we'll feature garnet in January!)
• Turquoise can still work for Capricorns, particularly for those who need help balancing their serious nature with playfulness

Connection to Earlier Signs

As we mentioned in October, turquoise is also associated with Virgo, supporting that sign's practical healing nature and earth-centered wisdom.

Who Should (and Shouldn't) Wear Turquoise

Turquoise is generally considered beneficial and protective, but some traditions offer cautions:

Who Benefits Most:

• Sagittarius suns, moons, and risings
• Virgos seeking grounding and healing energy
• Anyone working in communication, healing, or creative fields
• Those seeking protection during travel

Who Should Be Cautious:

• Some sources suggest Taurus and Libra might find turquoise energy unsettling to their need for stability and balance
• Those with strong attachments to specific outcomes might find turquoise's "go with the flow" energy challenging (but this offers a growth opportunity!)

Again, these are traditional beliefs — your personal connection to a stone matters most.