You are likely to find exactly the kingman turquoise you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Frequently made of
Silver,
Sterling Silver and
Gold, this item was constructed with great care. Find an antique version now, or shop for 23 vintage or 12 modern creation for a more contemporary example of these cherished accessories. Making the right choice when shopping for a kingman turquoise may mean carefully reviewing examples of this item dating from different eras — you can find an early iteration of this piece from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. A kingman turquoise from
Navajo,
Cynthia Scott and
Gemjunky/M D Designs — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A kingman turquoise can make for a versatile accessory, but a selection from our variety of 23
Turquoise versions can add an especially stylish touch. An
old mine cut version of this piece has appeal, but there are also
cabochon and
bead versions for sale. If you’re browsing our inventory for a kingman turquoise, you’ll find that many are available today for
men, but there are still pieces to choose from for unisex and
women.
The thought of vintage and antique turquoise jewelry often conjures up images of striking Navajo bracelets and necklaces worn with a denim shirt and cowboy boots. This all-American look has been celebrated by fashion designers like Ralph Lauren and Tommy Hilfiger on their runways and in ad campaigns. In the October 2016 issue of Vogue magazine, Tom Ford said he only wears turquoise jewelry at his Santa Fe ranch. So what is it about this gorgeous blue-green stone that makes us wish that we were born in December?
It’s not surprising that turquoise is abundant in New Mexico and Arizona because, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), it needs to be in “dry and barren regions where acidic, copper-rich groundwater seeps downward and reacts with minerals that contain phosphorus and aluminum.
Turquoise is not found in a single crystal but is a combination of microcrystals. Its appearance, waxy and opaque, is attributed to its structure and composition. “It’s an aggregate of microscopic crystals that form a solid mass. If the crystals are packed closely together, the material is less porous, so it has a finer texture. Fine-textured turquoise has an attractive, waxy luster when it’s polished. Turquoise with a less-dense crystal structure has higher porosity and coarser texture, resulting in a dull luster when it’s polished,” notes the GIA. Since no one wants to set a dull piece of turquoise, porous turquoise is often treated to make the stone more attractive.
In the United States, there have been discoveries of turquoise from 200 B.C. It is not just loose turquoise stones that have been found, but entire suites of jewelry from prehistoric times. In the late 19th-century, the Navajo Indians, who learned silversmithing from the Spanish, started to make beads out of turquoise and eventually combined it with silver around the 1880s. Initially this jewelry was for ceremonial purposes, but it became fashionable once the tourism in the Southwest picked up in the beginning of the 20th century.
Find antique and vintage turquoise rings, necklaces, bracelets and other accessories on 1stDibs.