Origin History A Stone Rich in Legend Where Turquois Comes From A Versatile Stone

Origin

Turquoise is one of the oldest and best-known opaque gemstones, found widely among ancient Egyptian, Sumerian and Mesopotamian artifacts dating back before 3000 B.C.

The name turquoise means "Turkish stone," because the trade route that brought the gem to Europe came through Turkey. The first known deposits were found in ancient Turkey, then later in Egypt. Turquoise, with its robin's egg blue hue, has graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and adorned early native Americans in their ceremonial dress.

Cleopatra probably used ground-up turquoise for eye paint, as well as wearing turquoise in her jewelry. Tutankhamen's tomb was filled with examples of turquoise inlay, beads, sculpture, and slabs used in everything from jewelry and furniture to the great sarcophagus and death masks.

From its beginnings, turquoise was not exclusively a gem for the rich. Cavalry soldiers in most ancient armies carried pieces of turquoise or wore turquoise rings to keep them from falling off their horses. Children in several cultures were given turquoise charms to protect them from harm, prevent nightmares, and to grant them restful sleep.

During the 16th century, turquoise was used as currency by the southwest Indians. They believed the gem could bring spoils to the warrior, animals to the hunter and happiness to all. Four centuries later turquoise became December's best-known birthstone.

Lighter pieces are sometimes impregnated with a colorless wax or plastic to seal the pores and deepen color. As with any gemstone, ask the jeweler if the stone has been treated in any way that might affect its care or cleaning.

Lynn Ramsey of the Jewelry Information Center advises, "Clean turquoise in warm, soapy water. It is possible that perspiration, skin oils and cosmetics can discolor some turquoise over time, as the gem is sensitive to acids. Don't use ultrasonic or steam cleaning on turquoise. With a little care, your turquoise jewelry will stay lovely for years."

Turquoise is as beautiful, popular and affordable as it was 5,000 years ago. With new sources being found in China and Australia, as well as the established mines in the U.S., Mexico and Chile, turquoise will continue to be a gem that is as easy on the budget as it is on the eye.

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History

Turquoise has been a treasured jewelry stone around the world for thousands of years. It was used for beads by the Egyptians as early as 5500 B.C. Combined with other ornamental stones, the turquoise was inlaid in ,gold by Sumerians and Egyptians to produce very sophisticated necklaces, bracelets, anklets, belts, headdresses and earrings.

Pre-Columbian Indians used turquoise for beads and pendants from 500 B.C. Burial grounds of Central America and Mexico yield teeth decorated with turquoises tribute to early dentistry as well as ideas for adornment.

Turquoise jewelry, has always been popular in the Orient. In the seventeenth century, Englishmen traveling there brought the style back with them, but not until Victoria,-, time was it fashionable for European women to wear the stone. Victorian and Art Nouveau jewelry featured a good deal of turquoise.

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A Stone Rich in Legend

Turquoise has been believed to confer foresight as well as protect the wearer from danger. In various countries, it is believed to fade when illness or danger is near. Another belief is that a fading stone indicates a lover's faithlessness or a friend's disaffection.

In many cultures, the stone is regarded as a harbinger of good fortune, success and health. Aztecs and Egyptians considered it a symbol of prosperity. In India, one was to wear a turquoise on the little finger and look at the stone after seeing the new moon to gain great wealth. According to American Indians, the stone brought together the spirits of sea and sky to bless warriors and hunters; a turquoise arrowhead assured accurate aim. It was said that a fine turquoise was hidden in the damp ground at the end of the rainbow. A Navajo belief is that a piece of turquoise cast into a river, accompanied by a prayer to the god of rain, will cause rainfall.

Ancient doctors exploited the stone's medicinal potential by making it into a paste to treat ailments of the hip. The Egyptians also mounted turquoise in silver to treat eves suffering from cataract. Since the fourteenth century, harnesses of dogs, horses and other animals have been decorated with turquoise to protect the animal and master from falling in injuries. According to a thirteenth century writer, the stone used for this purpose should be set in gold.

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Where Turquoise Comes From

The oldest source of turquoise is the Maghara Wadi mines in the Sinai Peninsula. By 3200 B.C., mining expeditions of up to several thousand laborers were sent there annually. These mines were worked for the pharaohs for 2000 years. They, were rediscovered in the mid-nineteenth century and worked on and off until the beginning of this century.

The mines of Nishapur, in northeastern Iran, described in 1300 A.D. as having belonged to Isaac, the son of Abraham, supplied turquoise to Europe and Western Asia for centuries, and to the United States for years before production ceased.

While turquoise has been produced in Tibet, China, Australia, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Turkestan and Afghanistan, the principal source today is the Southwest region of the United States-New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona. It has also been found in Texas, Colorado and California.

The turquoise from Iran is characteristically an intense medium blue color and takes a fine polish. American and Mexican turquoises range from light blue to greenish-blue to bluish-green. Egyptian turquoise contains more green, showing greenish-blue to yellowish-green. The finest color, sometimes referred to as Persian, is an even robin's egg blue.

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A Versatile Stone

Turquoise may be fashioned to include portions of the rock in which it was found. This rock is referred to as matrix. The matrix often forms a pattern called "spiderweb," which many people prefer to stones without matrix.

A stone worn to advantage by men and women of all ages, turquoise offers great variety. It can be set in silver or gold, alone or in combination with other gemstones to produce an unlimited number of design possibilities for rings, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, belts, watchbands and tie ornaments.

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