It’s typically a face-off between blue topaz and turquoise for December’s birthstone, and we’ve chosen turquoise for the win. Turquoise, with its blue, greenish blue and sometimes robin-egg blue hues, is a variegated surprise, kind of like azure confetti that comes out of the earth. Turquoise is one of the oldest stones used by humans, found in artifacts as old as 5,000 B.C. Turquoise is associated with protection.

Each turquoise cluster strand is made by hand and is as different as each stone included. Turquoise chips are strung on wire, making between a 1 1/4 and 1 1/2 inch length of stones.

Chains are gold-filled or sterling silver and measure approximately 17 inches long including the length of stones. Longer or shorter chains are available upon request.

Birthstone cluster strand necklaces are made by hand at Bang-Up Betty’s North Little Rock, Arkansas, studio.