Turquoise is a birthstone for the month of December. It is a blue to blue green to yellowish green mineral that has been used as a gemstone for thousands of years. Bright blue turquoise is the most preferred color. It is most often set into sterling silver jewelry. Because it is opaque, it is usually cut into cabochon shapes, often freeform to take full advantage of the rough, instead of being cut into calibrated shapes and sizes.

In the southwestern United States, Native Americans were using turquoise over 2000 years ago. There, ancient artists produced beads, pendants, inlay work, and small sculptures. Turquoise is still an important part of Southwestern culture.

Turquoise jewelry is not extremely expensive. Many people can afford to purchase genuine turquoise, but lab-created turquoise is available in some stores for cost-conscious shoppers.