Introduction
Doesn’t turquoise remind you of the breathtaking beauty of the sky and the sea? If you have never heard of turquoise before, well, it’s a copper and aluminum-rich phosphate mineral that is loved for its versatile properties – be it with healing, protection, or beauty. With the help of this holistic guide, we will dive deep into the history of turquoise, its meaning, its healing properties, and much more. So, without further ado, let's get started, with the first question being, what is turquoise?
What is Turquoise?
A green and blue phosphate mineral, the turquoise gemstone is celebrated for its oceanic beauty and soothing energy. From long back in history, people have loved turquoise jewelry. It does not matter whether you are a fan of turquoise rings, turquoise pendants, or turquoise bracelets, this gemstone is surely an awesome pick!
If you know any December babies or if you yourself are a December baby, then you can happily claim turquoise – it is the traditional birthstone for December. To all of you December babies out there – doesn’t the cool blue tone of turquoise match the winter vibes?
If you talk on the basis of zodiac signs, then turquoise suits Capricorn and Sagittarius quite well. Turquoise can help the enthusiastic and ambitious Sagittarius achieve prosperity. And it can help the strong yet at times stubborn Capricorn in fostering more open communication.
If you have read about turquoise, you might have heard to keep it away from water. Do you know why? Well, it is because turquoise is hydrated phosphate that is full of copper and aluminum, which is why it absorbs liquids such as water. Since turquoise is a soft and porous mineral, it ranks between 5 and 6 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, just below quartz. If you want a reference from an everyday object, well, consider the fact that turquoise is softer than a steel nail. Now, let's dive deep into the history of turquoise.
History of Turquoise
Turquoise has captured the hearts of many civilizations in the history of humanity. With its captivating shades of green and blue which provide turquoise an undeniable aesthetic beauty, this gemstone also has a rich history that spans across multiple continents. Let us uncover the fascinating history of turquoise and know why this gemstone holds such great cultural significance.
Earliest Origins of Turquoise
You must be amazed to know that the history of turquoise spans thousands of years, and the proof of its earliest known use was found in civilizations such as the Persians, Egyptians, Asians, and Native Americans. If you talk specifically about the Egyptians, in Egypt, the pharaohs of that time wore turquoise jewelry because they believed that it possessed protective qualities and was full of numerous healing properties. Also, in Persia, which is modern-day Iran, turquoise was considered very valuable because it symbolized wealth and prosperity.
The Influence of Turquoise along the Silk Road
During the times when a lot of goods were traded across the Silk Road, which is an ancient trade route that connected the East and the West, the magic of turquoise was spread all along the Silk Road. Because of this, Turquoise became a highly sought-after stone in locations such as the Far East, the Ottoman Empire (which is modern-day Turkey), and Persia. Not only did the gemstone’s movement and trade across these routes facilitate the exchange of different cultures, but it also influenced the jewelry-making techniques within diverse societies, which is perhaps the reason why in certain museums, you find the most antique turquoise jewelry.
The Mesoamerican’s Prize: Turquoise
Turquoise was considered highly valuable by the Aztecs and Mayans in the Americas. Turquoise was often seen as a gemstone that adorned the masks of Aztec rulers and in Mayan architecture, Turquoise was used to create extremely intricate mosaics. Because both of these civilizations associated turquoise with the water and sky, they kept turquoise in high regard, believing it to be a link between the earthly and the divine realms.
Revival of Turquoise in Renaissance
In Europe, during the Renaissance period, turquoise became widely popular among the royalty, the aristocracy, and the nobles. European kings, nobles, and aristocrats sought turquoise for its cultural significance and its unique color. Oftentimes, it was used in elaborate jewelry designs that showcased the opulence of the Renaissance era.
Healing Properties of Turquoise Jewelry
Similar to most gemstones and crystals, turquoise is believed to possess powerful healing properties. Some of the physical healing benefits of turquoise are as follows. Turquoise jewelry is believed to strengthen the immune system, and it also increases the nutrition absorption capacity of the body. Turquoise jewelry also regenerates the damaged tissues present in the body and alleviates body pain. Last but not least, turquoise also heals eyes and sore throat.
When it comes to emotional healing, turquoise jewelry helps its wearer in combating fatigue and depression. Turquoise is also said to prevent panic attacks and promote inner harmony in general. When it comes to spiritual healing, turquoise jewelry helps the individual in his journey of self-realization. Not only does turquoise stabilize the lower chakras, but it also activates the heart chakra, the throat chakra, and the third eye chakra.
Top Sources of Turquoise
Globally, the United States and China are top suppliers of turquoise. The Chinese turquoise comes in light green to pale blue colors, and generally, it is softer when compared to its American counterparts.
In the United States, New Mexico, Arizona, Nevada, and Colorado are famous for producing quality turquoise. Among all these locations, the Nevada mines are said to house more turquoise than all the other states combined.
If you talk in a historical context, Iranian mines supplied the highest prized variety of turquoise, called the “Persian grade”. The speciality of Persian-grade turquoise was that it did not have any visible matrixes and it had a beautiful celestial blue color. Some of the Iranian mines, still to this date, produce Persian-grade turquoise.
Some of the other mines of turquoise are located in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and India.
Care and Maintenance Guide for Your Turquoise Jewelry
Since turquoise is a delicate stone, your turquoise jewelry needs extra love and care. With that being said, ensure that you keep your turquoise jewelry only for occasional use. In case you are purchasing a turquoise ring, make sure that you opt for a protective setting such as the bezel setting. At Rananjay Exports, you will find numerous turquoise rings, turquoise pendants, and turquoise bracelets both in bezel setting and prong setting – which are considered to be the two most secure stone settings within turquoise jewelry.
Another thing you need to know about turquoise is that it absorbs fluids very quickly. This is why you must ensure that your turquoise jewelry does not come in contact with extreme heat and chemicals, which could cause irreversible damage to your jewelry.
For cleaning your favorite piece of turquoise jewelry, stay away from detergents, soaps, and mechanical cleaners, because turquoise is very porous. Instead, for cleaning your turquoise jewelry, wipe it down with a damp cloth and post this, again wipe it with a dry cloth so as to dry the stone. This will ensure that your turquoise jewelry remains as good as new.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed everything you need to know about the history of turquoise and other interesting things about turquoise. So, as a jewelry retailer, are you ready to buy wholesale turquoise jewelry?
Well, if your answer is yes, then you can order turquoise jewelry and gemstone jewelry in 250+ different authentic stones from Rananjay Exports. Started in 2013, Rananjay Exports is India’s top wholesale gemstone jewelry manufacturer and supplier. We deal in all types of turquoise jewelry – from turquoise rings and turquoise earrings to turquoise necklaces and turquoise bracelets, we sell it all, at wholesale rates. Other than turquoise jewelry, you can also check our sterling silver jewelry collection, chakra jewelry collection, and birthstone jewelry collection.
