Turquoise

Turquoise has been prized for centuries for its beautiful blue-green color and its supposed mystical and healing properties. It has been found in Egyptian tombs, worn by pharaohs, and it was mined by the ancient Anasazi tribes of North America. Aristotle, Pliny, and Marco Polo referred to this gem in their writings. Turquoise has been a valuable trade item in markets around the world, including European markets. It derived its name from the French word for Turkish, Turquoise, because it was available from Turkish merchants and bazaars.

Turquoise contains both copper and aluminum, and has been mined in Egypt, Persia, Tibet, Mongolia, China, Japan, Europe, and the Americas. It is frequently found alongside copper deposits in arid, semi-arid, and desert regions. The best quality turquoise comes from Iran and the Southwestern United States. The mineral chrysocolla is sometimes used to imitate the look of turquoise, but it is not as valuable as the real thing.

Many ancient cultures created myths and legends about turquoise, and it has come to symbolize many different things. Once such legend was told by the Native Americans to explain how turquoise was created. They believed that their ancestors were so happy when the rains finally came that they danced and wept for joy. The tears they cried combined with the rain and seeped into Mother Earth, forming the turquoise, which they called "sky stone". Modern spiritualists consider turquoise a protective stone that can bring good fortune and success to its owner.

Turquoise jewelry is widely available in the Southwestern United States, often created by Native Americans using traditional artisan methods. It has been put into watch settings, earrings, necklaces, ceremonial masks, pins, and talismans. It is often paired with sterling silver, which compliments it beautifully and brings out its luster and depth of color.