SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES OF TURQUOISE

Native American jewelry which has been around since the mid 1800's has always featured turquois gemstones in their design. Native artisan also used Coral, Onyx, Mother of Pearl, Tiger's eye, Lapis and Jade in their creations not only for their metaphysical but intrinsic beauty as well.

Generally, Native American jewelry featurd sterling or silver settings, athough brass, mixed metals and gold washes also adorned their designs. However, today the most popular and commonly used metal is sterling.   Both men and women's enjoy the magnificant qualities and richness of of turquoise jewelry.



Fantastic Southwest jewelry can be found throughout the United States with a majority of the turquoise being produced being made in the western states especially here in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado.  Although, many readers may not know  that Iran produces some of the highest quality of turquoise in the world today; however, Arizona turquoise maintains it high rating and continues to be very collectible   

Many talented artists belong to the Native American tribes.  Some of the most beautiful jewelry is hand-made   by the Navajo, Zuni and Hopi tribes.  Each tribe's designs and patterns are unique to their tribe.  Once you become an experienced collection the differences between them are easily discernable 

Turquoise however did not come of age until the Europeans came to the west and brought with them silver and methods to work with this beautiful metal. Outside the North American continent, the history of turquoise goes back even further. It in fact goes back to nearly 4000 BC to ancient Egyptians who mined the stone in the Sinai. Ancient Persia was also famous for its turquoise mines, although the Egyptian sources pre-date the Persian sites by several centuries.

The metaphysical qualities of turquoise is one of self-awareness. It is said to be a stone of truth symbolizing a time to be honest with yourself. It is a spiritual stone where it is believed the much will be gained when you become still, and see yourself as your truly are thereby finding success and prosperity in life.

The richness of the Tiger's Eye gem stone encourages a passion for life and enhances your willpower and drives your will for success. It promotes not only clarity of intention, boosts self esteem, and gives courage, determination, and strength. 

Another stone often married in Native American design is red coral which is thought to possess healing properties vary depending on the color of the coral. Coral colors include black for male fertility and pink for female fertilit. Deep red coral aids conception, mother-child bonding and nourishing the blood stream and skeletal system.  I find it interesting the symbolic natures of gemstones.  The beautiful Lapis lazuli is a gorgeous deep blue gemstone with varying matrix patterning.  It offers mental reasoning and objectivity assisting the clearing of emotional baggage. It also can be used as a focusing tool for meditation and dream analysis.  Lapis is widely used by the Native American Indians in bead making and used often in intricate inlay designs. 

The United States is the largest producer of turquoise in the world today. Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico and Colorado are the primary producers in the US. Iran produces turquoise of the highest quality in the world today, although specimens from Arizona are also highly rated. Other less significant producers of turquoise include Australia, China, Chile, and Peru.

Buyers should be aware that an alarming trend is the recent cheap and fake imitations that have entered the market.  Plastic colors, synthetic treatments deteriorate the quality of turquoise. Such imitations are done in a manner that it is difficult to separate the real from the fake. 


It is important not to be fooled. One should purchase only from authentic dealers who specialize in Native American and Southwest jewelry.  It may be safest to purchase vintage and Native American pawn jewelry if you wish to have pieces that are not stabilized.  This  stabilized process is very commonly found in today's contemporary or modern pieces because turquoise and similar stones are fragile and the resin used adds protective qualities to the setting without changing its properties.  

In summation, It is believed that Navajos began working with turquoise after returning from the "Long Walk" to and from Fort Sumner, New Mexico in 1868. Aside from its ornamental value, turquoise is especially important to the Navajo people and other tribes because of its religious significance and its representation of a well-being in an individual . . . .  isn't that ancient prayer one of all mankind, notwithstanding race or color . . . . peace in one's heart?


Visit our shop for the holidays. 

http://www.melange-art.com