The origin of turquoise

In many cultures of the old and new worlds, the turquoise has been esteemed for thousands of years as a holy stone, one thing as of a talisman. The oldest evidence for this claim was found in Egypt, where grave furnishings with turquoise inlay were discovered, dating from apprioximately 3000 B.C.. In the ancient Persian kingdom, the blue-sky gemstones were earlier worn round the neck or wrist as protection against unnatural death. If they changed color, the wearer was thought to have reason to fear the approach of doom. Meanwhile, it has been discovered that the turquoise certainly can change color, but that this is not necessarily a sign of impending danger.

turquoise affords protection and joy of living

In earlier times, turquoise were even responsible for the material wellbeing of the wearer. If often worn on the turban, and often surounded with pearls, in order to protect their wearer against the "evil eye". As talismans, they adorned daggers, sabres and the bridles of horses. It was not until the time of the crusades that they came to Europe. Indeed it is form that period that the name"turquoise" originates, meaning "Turkish".

In south, Central and North Amerian too, the turquoise has always occupied a very special position among gemstones. The Aztecs in Mexico, for example, used to decorate their ceremonial masks with this stone which was holy according to their beliefs. The Indians of North America, who still produce a good deal of traditional silver jewelry with turquoise today,believe that the sky-blue gemstone opens up a direct connection between the sky and the sea.

At all times and over the world, turquoise have been worn as natural protection against  the powers of darkness. If in earlier times they preserved horse and rider from unexpected falls, they are regarded today as the protective stone of pilots, air crews and other occupational groups who are exposed to an especailly high degree of risk.

In modern gemstone therapy, those suffering from depression are recommended to wear a turquoise or a chain with turquoise beads. The turquoise' cheerful color is said to endow reticent personalities with more confidence. It is also often given as a gift, a stone of friendship, for the turquoise is said to be responsible for faithfulness and constancy in relationships.

The blue comes from copper, the green from iron

Turquoise is a copper aluminium phosphate with  a dardness of 6. In nature, it occures in the whole range of hues from sky blue to grey-green, and it is mostly found in places where there is a high concentration of copper in the soil. However, turquoise is only really turquoise in the very best quality, mostly, the color is paler, or bluish-green or greenish. The blue coloris created by copper, the green by bivalent iron and a certain amount of chrome. Often, the material has veins or blotches running throught it, which are brown, light grey or black depending on where it was found. These lively, more or less regular patterns are known as "turquoise matrix". The crystals are microscopically small and can hardly ever be recognised with the naked eye. As a rule, turquoise occurs as a fillung in veins or crevices, or in the form of nuggets. The most wellknown deposits are in the USA, Mexico, Israel, Iran, Afghanistan and China. The most beautiful turquoises, in a splendid light blue, come from deposits in the north of Iran.

How to protect the turquoise

Turquoise should be protected from cosmetics, heat and bright light. It is not a gemstone to take with you when you go sunbathing. It is best to give it a clean from time to time with a soft cloth.

Heaven on earth

The color of the turquoise makes us feel happy and cheerful, for in it the light blue of the sky and the stimulating green of the sea are combine. Indead it is such an inimitable color that we have a term specifically for it in our languages:turquoise. Anyone choosing a turquoise is sure to enjoy a piece of Heaven on Earth.

click here to see turquoise items