Turquoise Jewellery

In most cultures, turquoise has been viewed as a health stone. It is believed that the stone's surface colour will change to warn the wearer of potential damage. Evil forces are kept at bay by wearing turquoise stones close to the skin.

Chemical reactions between turquoise and acids on the skin, dust in the air, or even artificial components of cosmetics can alter the colour of the stone. In ancient cultures, this colour change was believed to warn of danger. Those with superstitious minds might choose to keep turquoise nearby in order to defend themselves against the unpredictable.

The use of turquoise in Ancient Egyptian burials displays the cultural belief that turquoise is a good-luck charm in both Old and New World societies. Supposedly, wearing turquoise could protect Ancient Persian citizens from an untimely and unnatural death.

In Aztec culture, turquoise was believed to physically embody fire, generating heat. Objects like knives, shields, and masks were inlaid with veins of turquoise, as well as jet, gold, and shells. Turquoise was used by Native Americans for equally ceremonial purposes. Apache tribes used turquoise in their arrows and bows, believing it afforded deadly accuracy to the archer.

The silver and turquoise jewellery famously made by Native Americans in the southwest of America was initially created in the late-1800s. Although turquoise was used in native jewellery for centuries before this, silver was a relatively new crafting material. The distinctive jewellery proved popular with European Colonisers, and so Native Americans became associated with this style. Even today, turquoise jewellery from this region is popular around the world for its relation to the diminishing Native American cultures.