Turquoise

Turquoise

"I used Dad's watch as part of my study of the turquoise," I told Mom. My father died in 2000, and I have a couple of things of his that bring me joy when I think of him. One of these things is a silver and turquoise watch. I seldom wear it, but I am thinking that might be changing! Dad liked horses and always wore western shirts and cowboy boots. Dad was well known in aviation circles, but the main things I remember about him were that he loved GOD and he loved Mom. And us kids, of course. But especially Mom.

Part of piece called Over His Heart
6" x 6" acrylic on canvas panel 
ready to frame

One of the websites I have been using to study gems and stones mentioned in the Bible says that green stones represent life and growth, and blue stones represent heaven. This gem can evidently be either more green or more blue, depending where it is mined. (Actually, many of the stones mentioned can be of different colors based on where they came from. I have really learned a lot about them so far during this 30 paintings in 30 days challenge!) 

In the Old Testament, the turquoise appears in the passage where the garments for the priests is described. There are 12 stones, plus gold filigree settings, and two more stones on the shoulders of the priest. (I should have plenty more to study as I finish my series!) Here is part of the passage that mentions this stone:
Exodus 39:10-13 (New American Standard Bible) "And they mounted four rows of stones on it. The first row was a row of ruby, topaz, and emerald; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire and a diamond; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a beryl, an onyx, and a jasper. They were set in gold filigree settings when they were mounted."