Turquoise is a hydrous copper aluminum silicate, that occurs in microcrystalline nodules. It is rare and valuable in finer grades and has been prized as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years owing to its unique hue. In recent times turquoise, like most other opaque gems, has been devalued by the introduction of treatments, imitations, and synthetics onto the market, some difficult to detect even by experts.

Turquoise is a secondary mineral deposited from circulating waters, and it occurs chiefly as an opaque, granular vein running through a host rock. The substance has been known by many names, but the word turquoise was derived around 16th century from the French language either from the word for Turkish (Turquois) or dark-blue stone (pierre turquin). This may have arisen from a misconception: turquoise does not occur in Turkey but was traded at Turkish bazaars to Venetian merchants who brought it to Europe.

The use of turquoise dates back to 3000 B.C.- 4000 B.C.in the Sinai. It was the primary holy stone for Native Americans living in the Southwestern United States. Every Navajo carried a "personal" piece of turquoise. Middle Eastern tradition claimed that turquoise prevented accidents, especially falling. It was a talisman for horsemen, to keep them from falling off the horse. This belief carried over to Europe, evolving into the belief that if one did fall, no bones would be broken.

The healing power of turquoise is said to be a guard against all diseases. It assist in tissue regeneration, subtle body alignment & strengthening. It has been thought to warn the wearer of danger or illness by changing color. Turquoise is also believed to bring happiness and good fortune to all. It's said that turquoise attracts healing spirits, making it a premier healing stone and it is also a valuable amulet for travelers. Turquoise along with zircon are birthstones of Sagittarius (Archer) form Nov. 22-Dec. 21 and the anniversary gemstone for the 5th year of marriage.

 Zircon derives from the Arabic word zarqun, meaning vermilion, or perhaps from the Persian zargun, meaning golden-colored.. It is a mineral belonging to the group of nesosilicates. Its chemical name is zirconium silicate and its corresponding chemical formula is ZrSiO4. The high refractive index and dispersion of zircon cause it to approach diamond in fire and brilliancy. The crystal structure of zircon is tetragonal crystal class and the natural color varies between colorless, yellow-golden, red, brown, and green.

Zircon contains trace amounts of the radioactive minerals hafnium, uranium and thorium. Over time, these radioactive components break down the lattice of the crystal, eventually (over tens of thousands of years) destroying the crystal, leaving it with an amorphous structure and a dark pithy appearance. Zircons that are young and unaffected by radioactivity are termed "high" zircons. These stones are transparent golden, yellowish-green and greenish-brown in color with incredibly high dispersion. "High" zircons can be heated to temperatures greater than 1800 degrees Fahrenheit and become colorless or blue. These highly dispersive colorless stones have long been used as diamond substitutes.

The healing ability of Zircon can relieves pain. It is said to whet one's appetite and also prevents nightmares and ensures a deep tranquil sleep. Zircon supposedly helps one be more at peace with oneself and is believed to provide the wearer with wisdom, honor and riches. The lost of luster on a Zircon stone is said to warn of danger.

On Mohs’ scale of hardness, it is 6.5-7. It has a vitreous to brilliant luster and sources include Burma (Myanmar), Thailand, Sri Lanka, Australia, Vietnam, Korea, Madagascar, Brazil, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania and Cambodia. Blue Zircon along with turquoise are birthstones of Sagittarius (Archer) from Nov. 22-Dec. 21.

 Topaz is derived from the Indian Sanskrit word tapas, meaning fire. It is an aluminum, hydroxyl-flourine silicate. Strong chemical bonding makes it the hardest of the silicate minerals. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and its crystals are mostly prismatic terminated by pyramidal and other faces, the basal pinacoid often being present. It has an easy and perfect basal cleavage, meaning that gemstones or other fine specimens have to be handled with care to avoid developing cleavage.

Topaz typically occurs in cavities in rhyolites and granite, in pegmatite dikes, and in high-temperature veins with cassiterite and tourmaline. A common misconception is that all topaz is yellow. It is most commonly colorless, but colors include blue, pale green, and the spectrum of yellow through sherry orange to pink, and most unique, red.

During the Middle Ages topaz was thought to strengthen the mind and prevent mental disorders as well as sudden death. It assists in general tissue regeneration and is valuable in the treatment of hemorrhages. It also increases poor appetite and helps fighting blood disorders. Topaz also balances emotions and calms passions and has been considered a "cooling" gem, much like ruby is considered a "hot" gem. Topaz was thought to have the ability to quickly cool boiling water and flaring tempers.

Topaz has a hardness of 8 in Mohs scale, a specific gravity of 3.4–3.6, and a vitreous luster. It is also believed that topaz along with citrine are birthstones of a person born under the zodiac sign of Scorpius (Scorpion) from Oct. 24 - Nov. 21 and the anniversary gemstone for the 4th and 19th year of marriage. Imperial topaz is the anniversary gemstone for the 23rd year of marriage.