Turquoise Jewellery @ Jewel Info 4 U
By: Nasrina Parvin Khan
TURQUOISE: A GEM
Turquoise is a precious opaque gem,
which used as ornamental stone for
thousand of years. It is a rare
gemstone and softer than other gems
such as rubies, sapphires etc. This
opaque gem has become very popular
in jewelry in current age.
image courtesy:
http://chacodog.com/
There are two opinions, how the name
'turquoise' came. First one is that
the name "turquoise" came from
French word "Turquie" (French for
Turkey). There was a misconception
that the gem was originated from
Turkey. Thus the name 'turquoise'
was given to it. Another opinion is
that the name came from French "pierre
turquin" which means dark blue
stone.
The gem turquoise does not occur in
Turkey, but was traded at Turkish
Bazaar by the ancient Venetians who
introduced it to Europe. It is
supposed that the stone came from
the Alimersai Mountain region in
Persia, now is Iran or the Sinai
Peninsula in Egypt, two of the
world's oldest known turquoise mine.
COMPONENTS OF TURQUOISE
Turquoise is the only gemstone,
which belongs to the phosphate
group. It is a hydrated phosphate of
Aluminium and copper. The copper
gives it the blue hue. Chemical
formula of the stone is CuAl6 (PO4)
4(OH) 3.5H2O.
COLORS OF TURQUOISE
The turquoise can be available in
sky blue, robin's egg blue, blue
green, greenish, deep green,
sometimes veining black or brownish
markings of matrix just like spider
web depending on the mining place.
The most desirable as well as
valuable is a sky blue to a clear
"robin's egg" blue (in reference to
the eggs of the American Robin).
Green hues influenced to decrease
the value of the stone, though
greener blue is preferred in Tibet.
High quality turquoise has a
permanent color whereas waxy
turquoise keeps its color hardly.
PERSIAN TURQUOISE
Finest qualities of turquoise were
found in Persia for thousands of
years. Thus the term "Persian
Turquoise" referred to the finest
turquoise. But the situation
changed. Modern miners discovered
large quantities of high quality
turquoise in the western and
southwestern United States in the
late 1880's and early 1900's, which
are as fine as finest "Persian". But
nowadays the term "Persian
Turquoise" used to signify all the
finest turquoise in world.
HISTORY & ORIGIN OF TURQUOISE
JEWELRY
Turquoise, is one of the oldest
gemstone has been used for jewellery
making since 5500 B.C. this pastel
shades gems jewelry was worn by the
rulers of Ancient Egypt, the Aztecs,
Persia, Mesopotamia, the Indus
Valley and also in Ancient China
(since Sang Dynasty).
Queen Zer and King Tut were among
the Egyptian royalty whose mummies
were discovered with turquoise
jewellery. Turquoise jewelry has got
an appreciation in ancient Aztecs
culture also. Aztecs offer the
turquoise jewelry to their Serpent
God. Both southwestern U.S. Native
Americans and many of the Indian
tribes in Mexico, largely for
jewelry making since about 200 B.C.,
have used turquoise but the style of
combining silver with their
turquoise jewelry is comparatively
new. This style introduced most
likely in 1880.The Native Americans
have made solid turquoise beads,
carvings and inlaid mosaics at this
time.
Despite being one of the oldest
gems, turquoise did not obtain
importance as an ornamental gem in
the West till the 14th century. It
was introduced to Europe through
Turkey. Turquoise jewelry was
unknown to Indian until Mogul period
and unknown in Japan until the 18th
century.
In many cultures, turquoise jewelry
is much more than a beauty wears.
They believed turquoise changed its
color with the wearer's health and
the magical power of this gem will
protect them from diseases and
unwanted forces.
TURQUOISE JEWELLERY
Turquoise jewelry has a classic
appeal. Turquoise jewelry has found
a place in the fashion scenario till
the last century and still being
popular. Turquoise jewelry has a
distinct charm. The beautiful shade
of blue, which said to steal from
the sky, has created a fascination.
The specialty of the turquoise
jewelry is that not two pieces of
turquoise have the same pattern.
Traditionally, the Native American
Indian Artists made Turquoise
jewelry. They choose and handcrafted
the jewelry around the gems. Today's
artists also adopted the craft to
create contemporary turquoise
jewelry. They combined the mystique,
elegance and natural beauty of
turquoise with sterling silver to
make modern designs.
Navajo, Zuni, Hopi and other Indian
tribes make Native American Indian
jewelry. The styles of the jewelry
vary from tribe to tribe. Ancient
Navajo Indian Jewelry includes
handcrafted silver jewelry with hand
stamped design, leaves, beads and
flowers around the gem. Zuni Indian
Jewelry involves cut stone and
embedded silver jewelry. Whereas
Hopi Indian Jewelry is a technique
referred to as
" silver overlay". Sometimes it is
designed with symbols and geometric
patterns.
Southwestern jewelry style is a type
of Native American Indian style. The
Artisans are from New Mexico and
Arizona. Usually this style deals
with beaded turquoise.
RANGE OF TURQUOISE JEWELRY
There is a wide range of turquoise
jewelry including southwestern and
Native American styles. All of the
styles are very popular in modern
days. Today's jewelry market is
floated with various kinds of
turquoise jewelry. Turquoise
bracelets, turquoise earrings,
turquoise necklaces, turquoise
rings, ladies turquoise watches,
gents turquoise watches, turquoise
jewelry sets, Hopi & Zuni Kachinas,
Southwestern turquoise & Sterling
silver Indian jewelry and Zuni,
Navajo & Hopi Indian western
sterling silver jewelry including
earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pins
pendants, rings, belt buckles,
fetish necklaces, key rings, money
clips etc; beaded turquoise jewelry,
southwestern Indian rug and so on
are available in the today's fashion
market. Most of the turquoise
jewelry is handmade original pieces
of art.
Usually, turquoise is sold according
to its physical size rather than
weight.
POPULARITY OF TURQUOISE JEWELLERY
Turquoise jewelry has found a
popular place in today's fashion
elites. Everyone from celebrities to
models to common people is wearing
turquoise jewelry. T.V. actors, film
stars, all are fascinated with
turquoise jewelry in new age.
TURQUOISE CARING TIPS
Turquoise jewellery beautifies the
wardrobe of many men and women. But
the sensitive gem needs some extra
care due to the softer nature than
other gems.
* Turquoise jewelry requires a
careful handling .It should be
stored in a separate box to avoid
rubbing and scratching by harder
gemstones.
* Turquoise should be kept in an
airtight box otherwise it will be
destroy.
* Keep turquoise away from chemicals
as well as cosmetics such as
perfumes, oils, cleaners etc. These
will affect the color of turquoise.
* Keep turquoise away from heat and
avoid prolonged exposure to direct
sunlight. Because this may discolor
or dehydrate turquoise.
* Clean the turquoise jewelry with
mild warm water; then dried with a
soft cloth.
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