We’ve arrived at the final post of my second Birthstones series, so once again I’ve supersized it (and I even got it posted ‘on time,’ it’s a miracle!).  Let’s start with this adorable Turquoise Dragon Heart Pendant by American crafter Kera Minarchin, posting as Micrackin.  You can see more in her gallery and Instagram, but unfortunately it looks like her Etsy shop has closed, otherwise I’m sure I’d buy up all of her designs!

From the Wiki (because on the last month, the International Gem Society wanted to talk about the other stones instead, wth…):

In Western culture, turquoise is also the traditional birthstone for those born in the month of December. … In many cultures of the Old and New Worlds, this gemstone has been esteemed for thousands of years as a holy stone, a bringer of good fortune or a talisman.

The oldest evidence for this claim was found in Ancient Egypt, where grave furnishings with turquoise inlay were discovered, dating from approximately 3000 BCE.  In the ancient Persian Empire, the sky-blue gemstones were earlier worn round the neck or wrist as protection against unnatural death.

Here’s a Turquoise dragon by Polish professional artist Katarzyna Marcinkowska, posting as grzanka.  I featured more of Katarzyna’s dragons back in 2016 and always meant to return to her gallery, so I was happy to run across this in my turquoise search this month!   You can see even more of her art on her Tumblr, which was recently hacked (but she’s cleaned it up now), and I’m sure she’d appreciate a new follower or two since so many people left because of something beyond her control!

Up next is Toby the Turquoise Seashell Dragon by American professional crafter Liz, posting as lizzarddesigns.  Another call back to 2016 (check out her chocolate dragon pair!), you can see more in her gallery and find an entire line of her own birthstone dragons at her website LizzardJane.com, where she’s shifted her focus from polymer clay to silicone mold and resin models.  Created for her young son back in 2013, Liz writes:

The shell is a real SeaShell, I am not sure what kind. All the rest is made from Polymer clay and I added some swarovski crystals on the front claws and wings. In the sand to make it glitter a tad more are these tiny little metal balls that are generally used for scrapbooking or stamping. Lastly, I added some glitter to the SeaHorse and the tall coral things.

I know I said I’d feature new artists this year, but I can’t help it that all the good turquoise art was by some of my all-time favorites, including this next one called Turquoise Dragon Treasure Chest by Israeli professional artist Taly Reznik, posting as TrollGirl.

She writes that these clay, acrylic, and beadwork sculptured boxes are “a very all-around form of art. Quite fun to make.”  I’ve featured her a few times before, including a giant New Year’s Eve Drinks Dragons post last year, so check that out, plus her gallery, Facebook and Instagram, and amazing Etsy Shop to pick up a piece for yourself.

Then we have The Turquoise by Russian deviantartist FlashW.  A commissioned piece from 2015, she says she “Really liked working on this,” and I really like looking at it!  Of course, I’ve shared her work as well before, way back in 2016, so check that out, as well as her main gallery and her photo/sketch gallery for more.

And finally here is the beautiful BJD Turquoise Fairy Dragon by Russian deviantartist Liya, posting as dallia-art.  “BJD” stands for “ball-jointed doll,” and I was amazed when I looked at the Etsy listing for this piece (which sold in 2018) to see it was fully posable!  Liya captions this one “Summer. The lilies are just about to blossom. And the young lily dragons are ready to leave the nests.”  Find more in her gallery and Etsy Shop!

And that’s it for the second Birthstone Series!  I hope you’ve enjoyed all these new gem dragons — and remember, many of these artist sell their work, so the next time you’re looking for an unique birthday gift for that special someone, be sure to check back!

Okay folks, it’s New Year’s Eve 2019, I’m off to a three-hour celebration on a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico to watch fireworks and drink champagne, and it appears Florida is still just too darn distracting to get any more writing done!

I don’t know what my posting schedule will be like next year, but I’m hoping to at least keep up these once-a-month posts, so stay tuned for that.  Thank you as always for reading, take care, have a wonderful, safe, and happy New Year, and stay creative!

Image credits:
+ Turquoise Dragon Heart Pendant by Kera Minarchin, posting as Micrackin
+ Turquoise image from the International Gem Society article What is my Birthstone?
+ Turquoise by Katarzyna Marcinkowska, posting as grzanka
+ Toby the Turquoise Seashell Dragon by lizzarddesigns
+ Turquoise Dragon Treasure Chest by Taly Reznik, posting as TrollGirl
+ The Turquoise by FlashW
+ BJD Turquoise Fairy Dragon by dallia-art