Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Ring in 14K

Turquoise, with its distinctive robin's egg blue, is among the oldest known gemstones. It graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and the ceremonial dress of early Native Americans. In ancient Mexico, turquoise was reserved for the gods. Montezuma's treasure, now displayed in the British Museum, includes a fantastic carved serpent covered by a mosaic of turquoise. In Asia turquoise has long been considered protection against the evil eye. Turquoise was also thought to promote prosperity. When you wear or give a gift of turquoise, you send a message of “forget me not.” Turquoise is a birthstone for December and the gem of the 11th anniversary.

14K white gold is the most popular white precious jewelry metal. Its pale glow is the perfect setting for cool-toned gems. Since gold is naturally golden yellow in color, to make 14K white gold, 58.5% gold is alloyed with white metals, usually silver, zinc, palladium, or nickel. These metals also improve the hardness, durability and affordability of white gold jewelry, since pure gold scratches fairly easily. To get that bright shine, most white gold jewelry is also plated with rhodium, a platinum group metal.

Ben Kho is one of the most talented gemstone cutters in the world. By carefully positioning each facet, he sculpts light into brilliance. After mining rubies and sapphires in Cambodia as a teenager, he fell in love with the fascinating process of transforming rough into sparkling gems. Collectors from around the world commission Ben to create one-of-a-kind treasures. He has received 25 prestigious Cutting Edge Awards from the American Gem Trade Association. Wear Ben Kho jewelry for a cut above.