Some geologists and historians place the mining of turquoise by humans to have first occurred nearly 9,000 years ago! With that much history behind it, the turquoise stone carries with it quite a bit of lore…
Turquoise Myths & Healing Properties
One of the most popular beliefs surrounding turquoise actually spans across the Atlantic Ocean. Both the Native Americans in the American southwest and European horsemen in the 13th century believed that turquoise would improve all the necessary physical, and athletic skills that were necessary for warriors to succeed in battle, specifically in situations where your mind, and your body must work together in harmony. Apache warriors used to attach turquoise to their bows, holding the belief that the stone would improve their accuracy, while horseman in the middle ages would wear in as a charm when horseback riding, believing it would bless them with better riding talents, and protect them from falling off the horse. Turquoise is known to improve all physical activities that would benefit from the mind being in a meditative state.
Perhaps the idea that turquoise gives its wearer better accuracy, both with a bow, and on a horse stems from the belief that the stone can increase mental clarity, and improve concentration. The soothing color of the stone is believed to calm the mind, and eliminate all stress, allowing the mind to focus better, and in effect it allows the mind and the body to operate more fluidly, eliminating all of the tension that creates an obstacle for mind-body cohesion.
Turquoise is also a stone that connects the physical world, with the spiritual world. It is used in many cultures as a burial ornament, guiding, and protecting the newly departed souls to their destination in the afterlife. Certain cultures native to the Southwestern United States, and Mexico, would carve turquoise stones into the shape of animals, and place them in the graves of their loved ones who had passed – the belief was that the green and blue of the turquoise stone would serve as a transition from the green of the earth into the blue of the heavens, and the animal would be their guide during the journey. The ancient Egyptians also believed that turquoise would assist the departed into their transition into the next life. King Tutankhamun’s was constructed mainly of turquoise. If you look at the mask today, you will see its color is as vibrant as the day the revered king was buried – perhaps in that thought lies another reason why turquoise is used to honor the dead, even after thousands of years properly treated turquoise keeps its color, just like we keep our memories of those who have passed away.
You’ll notice all of the aforementioned theories of turquoise tend to be focused around its ability to bridge two ideas –mind and body, life and death, earth and sky – but also it has the ability to bond to people together. Both in Russia, and Tibet, turquoise rings are given to brides as a symbol of marital prosperity, and they are believed to allow for more cohesiveness in the family unit.
According to the world of metaphysics, turquoise, especially when worn as a bracelet, is known to ease the pain, and discomfort that goes along with arthritis, it is also said to emanate a balancing energy. It is also known to promote the following: overall happiness, good fortune in love, financial prosperity, creativity, intuition, meditative states, peace of mind, and comfort in unknown or new situations.
With all of these stories, myths, beliefs, and lore swirling around turquoise, it would make an absolutely great gift. In fact throughout many cultures, turquoise is generally given as a gift, and would only impart its healing, and mystical properties to one who received it as a gift. Not only can give someone special a beautiful piece of jewelry that they will cherish for a long time, but you can also tell them a little story about why you gave it to them, making the gift more personal, more thoughtful, and more unique. Turquoise is also the western birthstone for the month of December, so it makes a great, and affordable birthday gift for those "around the holiday" birthdays, which are always tricky to find gifts for.
Turquoise in Fashion
You might be asking yourself, "Ok, now why do I want this, what makes this pretty blue/green stone so desirable?" Well for one, it has been in style for over 9,000 years, and shows no signs of becoming unfashionable. If a piece of jewelry remains so popular despite ever changing whims in what we decide is beautiful, what the current celebrities are wearing, and what is the hot new trend, chances are it’s going to receive compliments from all ages, all groups of people, and throughout time…
Oscar Wide, famous playwright, author, and wit, said it best, "Fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months." There have been few exceptions to this rule, turquoise, with its 9,000 years of history certainly seems to be one of them. So if you want a piece of jewelry that can be passed down as an heirloom for generations to come, or you just want something that’s not going to go out of style next season, turquoise is a safe bet.
One needs to look no further than the barrage of celebrities going down a red carpet wearing some high end dress, contrasting with, but certainly not clashing with, a natural piece of turquoise around their neck. Its allure also lies with the fact that it often has the shape of an original rock, no mind boggling facets, no prism like effects, but its color is just eye popping. Within those two descriptions lies the heart of the turquoise stone, its stunning, beautiful, classy, natural, and eye catching, while somehow, avoiding being too flashy, too ostentatious, or too "oh look at me." Turquoise is truly one of nature’s greatest accomplishments.