The Basics of Turquoise Jewelry

Turquoise has been known to man for many centuries now, and over time, it has grown from being a gem reserved for royalty, to one that anyone can own today. In fact, turquoise is thought by many to be the most popular opaque gemstone in the world of jewelry today. When it was first discovered, turquoise was quite expensive and cost more than other gems such as rubies and sapphires. That trend has changed today, and the tremendous popularity of turquoise jewelry notwithstanding, it is quite affordable today and less expensive than rubies. The one bright side of this lower cost is that any jewelry buff today can own turquoise pendants, bracelets and other turquoise jewelry.

History of Turquoise

Depending on whether you are a fan of history or geology, the history of turquoise starts a few thousand years ago, or several million years ago. From a geological perspective, the formation of turquoise started nearly forty million years ago. Water that percolated through rocks that were rich in copper and aluminum, dissolved these salts and deposited them in cavities within the parent bedrock. With time, and under conditions of high heat and pressure, the salts hardened and took the form of turquoise that we know today. From a historical perspective, the history of turquoise started about six thousand years ago when Egyptians found this blue stone in the Sinai. Because of its blue color, turquoise came to symbolize wealth and high status in society, and therefore, only people of high status were allowed to own it. The rules of ownership changed after turquoise was discovered in ancient Persia. Turkey was an important center in the turquoise trade and helped introduce this beautiful gemstone to European civilizations.

Turquoise in North America

It is believed that Native American tribes first found this stone nearly one thousand years ago. The first mining operations were carried out in the town of Cerritos near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Historical records show that six hundred years ago, tribes from this part of the Southwest were trading turquoise with other tribes in Mexico, several hundred miles away. The Natives were quite taken by the blue color of the stone, and since this color reminded them of the clear blue Southwestern skies, they immediately associated it with gods and the heavens and incorporated it into their religious beliefs and culture. That special bond with this stone continues today. The various tribes of the Southwest – Navajo, Zuni and Hopi – each incorporate their particular beliefs in their respective jewelry designs.

Turquoise in Jewelry Today

While the spiritual and metaphysical benefits of turquoise have attracted many, others simply love the bright blue color of this stone. In most jewelry applications today, turquoise is used as the sole gem, usually set in sterling silver or on rare occasions, in white gold. However, it is not unusual to see turquoise paired with other materials such as pearls or coral. Cultured pearl necklaces or coral bracelets with turquoise accents add a more contemporary touch to an otherwise classic beauty.