Turquoise Jewelry: Power, Protection, Spirituality, and Good Fortune
The "Sky Stone"
Turquoise is known as the “sky stone” to the peoples of the American Southwest. For the indigenous people, it is a talisman for health and happiness, incorporated into ceremonial and artistic jewelry, as well as sculptures and pottery.
The American Southwest has some of the most abundant deposits of turquoise in the country, which is why it is an important mineral and part of the Native American culture, dating back to a least A.D. 300 (some estimates put it at even A.D. 1450).
Did you know? The true color of turquoise is determined by the copper content. The pieces with more copper appear blue and those with less appear green.
Types of Turquoise
There are two types of turquoise: low-grade and gemstone-grade. Low-grade is more common, which is soft and porous, so it absorbs oils and can dry out in extreme heat. The rarer, gemstone-grade, isn’t affected by oils and heat and maintains its color over time.
Did you know? Oils from your hands and body can change the color of turquoise. Some prevent this with different methods of stabilization to preserve the color, while other consider this a bond with the body and embrace the change as almost a spiritual link between the mineral and the soul.
Spiritual Meanings
Turquoise objects found in ancient burial sites show that it had a spiritual significance for Pueblos of the Southwest. The Zuni and people of the Rio Grande thought the green turquoise was a symbol of Mother Earth and the bluer color turquoise was part of Father Sky. Other Pueblos believed this gem gave special powers, good fortune, or provided protection.
Did you know? Arizona and New Mexico recognize Turquoise as the state gem. Nevada designates it at the semiprecious state gem.
Beauty Within
The earliest indigenous people crafted turquoise jewelry with shell, bone, coral, and wood. More recently it is incorporated with silver.
Like as if straight from science fiction, the “Matrix” can define turquoise and its value. Most turquoise has a host stone, which is sometimes incorporated in the design. Depending on the composition of the rock, the matrix can be gold, brown-black, or sienna. Some find this mix of stone with turquoise desirable, while others may find it less so. It is all in the eye of the beholder. Either way, each piece of turquoise is unique and almost tells a story of its creation.
There is so much to learn and explore about this magnificent mineral. We hope this gives you a brief look into this art form. The feeling you get from holding it in your hands it undeniable. It is spiritual and beautiful. Looking at the gem is almost like looking into the universe.
Featured Native American Jewelry
Recommended Reading
This article is inspired by and references information from the book, Turquoise Unearthed: An Illustrated Guide.