The original turquoise jewelry made by Native Americans included turquoise beads, mosaics and carvings and only from around 1880 was the distinctive silver jewelry made. Navajo craftsmen began making this style of jewelry from silver coins for trade.

The name turquoise is thought to come from the French word meaning Turkey as it was mistakenly believed that the gemstones originated in that country as they were traded in the bazaars to European merchants. In fact they probably came from the Sinai Peninsula or from the Alimersai Mountains which are now in Iran. It may also have arisen from the French word for dark blue stone, pierre turquin. It is often found in deposits of copper usually in very dry, arid conditions.

Before turquoise was found in the US the finest quality stones, with an intense blue color, came from Persia and ‘Persian Turquoise’ is still used today to denote the best quality stones. In the latter part of the nineteenth century turquoise was found in the US with deposits that rivaled the quality of the Persian stones. Nowadays the US is the largest producer of this lovely gemstone.

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Care of Turquoise

Turquoise is fairly soft and needs to be looked after carefully to avoid being scratched. It can lose it’s lustre if exposed to heat, sunlight or weak acids so you should take care to remove any turquoise jewelry before using household chemicals or hot water.

Use of Turquoise by the Aztecs

The Aztecs used turquoise extensively, inlaid with gold and other minerals such as jade, quartz, jet and malachite as well as shells and corals. They used it in mosaics, masks, shields and knives. Some superb examples of mosaics from this time survived destruction by the Spanisg Invaders and can be seen at the British Museum.

Use of Turquoise by Native Americans

The Navajo, Pueblo and Apache tribes used turquoise as an amulet often believing it had powers to perfect the aim of archers. The original turquoise jewelry made by Native Americans included turquoise beads, mosaics and carvings and only from around 1880 was the distinctive silver jewelry made. Navajo craftsmen began making this style of jewelry from silver coins for trade.

December Birthstone Jewelry

Turquoise is the gemstone for December in the modern birthstone systems. In traditional sytems the birthstones are zircon and ruby. Jewelry set with turquoise makes a lovely gift whether set in earrings, necklaces, pendants or rings.