I think we often visualize the color blue when we hear the word turquoise, but it's a gemstone that exists in other colors, including my favorite, bright green Orvil Jack turquoise from the Blue Ridge Mine in Nevada. Even blue turquoise is varied though, because you'll see everything from pale shades of the gem to a bright robin's egg color, all with different amounts of the metallic veining called matrix. Turquoise is the December birthstone but it makes a wonderful gift for anyone, and many pieces work just as well for men as they do for women. Read a few facts about turquoise before you go shopping--it will help you understand the different grades of turquoise that are on the market.

_{Bracelet by Benny and Valerie Aldrich}