Turquoise: The Timeless Allure of an Ancient Gem

Turquoise is one of the world’s oldest and most cherished gemstones. With its striking blue-green colour and a history that spans continents and millennia, it's captivated royalty, spiritual leaders, and jewellery lovers alike. Here, we’ll look at a brief history of turquoise, its symbolism in different cultures, the various shades it comes in, and why turquoise jewellery remains so popular today.

What Is Turquoise?

Turquoise is a semi-precious gemstone that forms in arid climates, often as a result of copper and aluminium reacting in groundwater. Its colour can range from a bright sky blue to a deep green, often with brown or black veining known as a "matrix."

The History of Turquoise Gemstones

Turquoise has been mined and used for over 5,000 years. The earliest evidence comes from ancient Egypt, where it was inlaid in burial masks, jewellery, and ceremonial items. The famous burial mask of Tutankhamun features turquoise among other gems.

The Persians (modern-day Iranians) also treasured turquoise and considered it a protective stone. Persian turquoise was often mounted on daggers and palace domes and was thought to bring good fortune.

In the Americas, turquoise was highly valued by Indigenous cultures. The Aztecs used it in mosaics and sacred objects, while Native American tribes like the Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi integrated turquoise into spiritual ceremonies and handcrafted silver jewellery - a tradition that continues today.

Symbolism of Turquoise in Different Cultures

Turquoise gemstone meaning varies across cultures, but some recurring themes include:

Protection: In Persia and Tibet, turquoise was believed to guard against the evil eye.

Healing: In Native American and Tibetan cultures, even today turquoise is considered a healing stone.

Divine Connection: Egyptians associated turquoise with the goddess Hathor, while many Asian traditions see it as a symbol of heaven.

In Western society, turquoise is also known as the December birthstone, symbolizing good fortune and success.

Turquoise Jewellery Through the Ages

Turquoise jewellery has evolved through centuries but never lost its appeal. Here's a brief overview of its uses:

Ancient Egyptians: used it for beads, inlays, and amulets.

Persian Empire: favoured cabochons set in gold and silver, primarily worn by royalty.

Victorian England: it was popular in mourning and romantic jewellery, but really took off after Queen Victoria gave turquoise brooches as gifts to her bridesmaids.

Southwestern United States: From the 19th century onward, turquoise and silver jewellery became iconic, especially among Navajo artisans.

Modern Design: Contemporary designers now incorporate turquoise into minimalist and boho styles alike.

What Are the Different Shades of Turquoise?

Turquoise comes in a range of hues, and each mine produces stones with distinct characteristics. Sky Blue or Robin’s Egg Blue is the most desirable and valuable, especially if it’s from Iran or Arizona's Sleeping Beauty mine and has no matrix. Green Turquoise contains more iron and is popular in Southwestern designs. Spiderweb Turquoise features a heavy black or brown matrix and is prized for its unique look.

Turquoise is also found in Australia, particularly in the Northern Territory and Queensland. While not as internationally renowned as Iranian or American turquoise, Australian turquoise is gaining recognition for its natural beauty and ethical sourcing.

This gemstone continues to be popular for several reasons: its unique colour suits all skin tones and styles, it’s seen as healing and protective, it works well in both fine jewellery and casual boho pieces, and it continues to have cultural significance in many countries. Even if you're just drawn to its beauty as a fragment of the earth that reflects the sky, with turquoise you have a piece of the past that still speaks to the present. It’s one of the most spiritually resonant stones we’ve ever known.

Finally, if you’re lucky enough to own some turquoise jewellery, how do you care for it? It’s not difficult. Turquoise is a soft stone, so it should be kept away from chemicals, excessive water, and hard surfaces. Just clean it gently with a soft cloth. Easy peasy.

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