A favorite stone of mine? All I will say is …. She who dies with the most turquoise wins… or something like that.

Turquoise is an aluminum acetate phosphate usually found in the seams of aluminum rich rocks in the area of copper mines. Colors range from light blue, sky blue, turquoise blue to green-blue. Turquoise can be found in Arizona, Mexico, Tibet, China, Poland and France. Some of the most beautiful turquoise is found in Arizona.

Discovered in Turkey by Crusaders, turquoise has been a popular protective gemstone since ancient time. In the thirteenth century Turquoise was said to protect the wearer from injury from falling, particularly from horseback. Turks attached the stone to the bridles of horses as amulets; it was believed to render them more surefooted and enduring. Long considered a holy stone by American Indians, they believed turquoise was a magic stone that protected against all harm. Indian legend says that a man who could go to the end of the rainbow and dig in the earth would find a turquoise. In the Middle Ages it was believed to give women a sense of happiness and contentment, while guaranteeing success and power to men.

Turquoise is beneficial for the whole body, but especially the respiratory and immune systems. Those strongly affected by pollution can find turquoise very helpful. Turquoise is also helpful with general stomachaches, rheumatism, infections, inflammation, and speeds recovery after illness.

Turquoise symbolizes beauty. It elevates goals and understanding; encourages creative problem solving. Turquoise can help you get more in tune with others and increase communication skills. Stabilizing extreme mood swings, it counteracts apathy.

With zodiacal affinity for Aquarius, Turquoise is also an important gemstone for all the zodiac signs. It is the common birthstone for December.