Turquoise Jewelry: A Brief History and Introduction

Turquoise has found its place in jewelry collections of all cultures and times. Egypt's First Dynasty was the first to own and use turquoise jewelry back in 5500 B.C. Queen Zer had her tomb adorned with shimmering turquoise jewelry. Later, the Aztecs used the beautiful stones as sacrificial offerings to their God.

Perhaps the reason why so many cultures incorporated it is that it possesses certain a unique sense of power. Old tales have referenced the stones' medicinal healing properties as well as preventing contagious diseases. More than a lucky charm, bearers of turquoise seems to experience better lucky and safety. The turquoise was often known to bring the wearer a sense of good luck, almost like a lucky charm. However, it also served the purpose of fashion which increases the uses of turquoise.

The value of turquoise stems from the length of its formation, which can be millions of years. The process of creating the precious stone is through a chemical reaction of water leaking in rocks that contain minerals including copper and aluminum. Turquoise jewelry is valuable because of its unique and sensual color that attracts wearers of all ages and cultures. It ranges from a mixture of green to light-sky-blue. A black or white matrix can be present which can enhance its value. However, without proper care, the signature turquoise color can diminish.

Quality turquoise stones have an opaque look while lower quality stones appear translucent. On the other hand, a composite turquoise can be constructed through a pulverized turquoise dust bonded with resin. Fortunately, for buyers, the resin's distinctive smell makes this reconstituted turquoise is easily recognizable. As a result, buyers can quickly spot a poor quality and even fake turquoise jewelry. This is an important note for jewelry buyers because it can be extremely costly if you are swindled by a dishonest seller.

Turquoise can be worn in many occasions and its versatility contributes to its value. For men, turquoise jewelry is a sign of sophistication. For women, turquoise is suitable for classy situations as well as during more laid-back social gatherings. It can easily match a wide range of colors, making it suitable with almost any outfit. While there does not need to be a special occasion for the stones, there is a varying degree of elegance in the stones. Overall, turquoise jewelry is an attractive and fashionable accessory that is fitting for all occasions and outfits, which makes it a must have for any jewelry collection.

References
www.bernardine.com/gemstones/turquoise.htm
www.turquoisejewelry.com
Vigil, Arnold, ed. The Allure of Turquoise. Santa Fe, N.M.: New Mexico Magazine, 2005.