December Birthstones

December Birthstones

Happy Holidays

 

Faceted Genuine or Synthetic Zircons or Turquoise

Zircon is a beautiful clear gemstone that disperses bright light in a similar way to a diamond. Our company sells the faceted stone in a pale blue and clear or white. The reasons that zircon is less expensive than a diamond is that it is 7.5 hard versus the 10 hard of a diamond, and it is more brittle.

Turquoise is popular in many places in the world. Archaeologists have found evidence of this stone in jewelry and carvings that date back thousands of years. In the United States the stone is closely associated with Native American Jewelry. From squash blossom necklaces to Zuni cluster pendants and rings to watch bracelets, heishi, fetishes, and earrings, the Southwestern tribes have spread their love of their blue stone to Americans. Generally set in silver, the stones are usually cut to baroque or non standard shapes.

Turquoise in the United States can range from green to medium blue. Americans like the spiderweb or lacey pattern formed by matrix embedded in the stone. This is not the case in most other countries whose clients want Persian blue which is highly polished and does not have matrix. Persian blue generally costs more and is set in gold. Beads are also a popular form of turquoise jewelry. The nugget or bone shapes usually cut in China make an attractive necklace.

Turquoise mixes well with other colored stones. Coral, from "angelskin" to "oxblood" is a classic mate in the United States. Deeper blue stones, such as lapis lazuli and sodalite, set a great contrast to the turquoise color. Silver rondelles, round beads or football shape beads also enhance the stone.

Turquoise has two frailties: it can be scratched, as it is about 5-6 hard, and it can change color when exposed to some chemicals. This is one of those stones that one should not wear cleaning house or changing a tire. Turquoise is sometimes stabilized to keep the stone from breaking easily. Reconstructed turquoise is pulverized stone that has been reconstructed into a stone. There are also some other dyed softer stones used in lieu of turquoise.

If you want a 20% off coupon for the holidays, please contact richardhetzel@dc.rr.com. See these highlighted stones on the home page of www.richardhetzel.com.