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Vintage Navajo Turquoise

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Navajo Turquoise Ring
Navajo Turquoise Ring

Navajo Turquoise Ring

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Large Navajo turquoise ring, marked 'Charles Johnson'. Sterling.

Category

1960s American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Necklace
Navajo Turquoise Necklace

Navajo Turquoise Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling necklace with shadow box sterling silver naja holding three Blue Diamond turquoise stones.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet
Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet

Large Navajo Turquoise Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Large and stunning color Navajo turquoise and sterling cuff bracelet. Large center stone surrounded by twisted rope and leaf border.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling squash blossom necklace with thirteen natural turquoise stones set in shadow box design.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

20th Century American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Shadowbox Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Shadowbox Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Shadowbox Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver shadowbox cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Monumental Navajo Turquoise Arm Cuff
Monumental Navajo Turquoise Arm Cuff

Monumental Navajo Turquoise Arm Cuff

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Monumental Navajo turquoise arm cuff. Sterling silver arm cuff with large single slab of turquoise inset on three split shank cuffs.

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Coral Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and coral sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Ring

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver ring. Single stone surrounded by elaborate sterling design with scrolling, feathers, and twisted rope border.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Spiny Oyster Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Heavy Navajo turquoise and spiny oyster bracelet. Large center Carlin turquoise stone, featuring light green coloring with brown matrix.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cross pendant by Navajo silversmith Tim Yazzie.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cross pendant by Navajo silversmith Tim Yazzie.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cross pendant by Navajo silversmith Tim Yazzie.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Indian Mountain turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Ring
Navajo Turquoise Ring

Navajo Turquoise Ring

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Carrico Lake turquoise and sterling ring stamped "EP."

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Pendant
Navajo Turquoise Pendant

Navajo Turquoise Pendant

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Large Navajo Blue Diamond turquoise pendant set in sterling silver with twisted rope border.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Ring
Navajo Turquoise Ring

Navajo Turquoise Ring

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Morenci turquoise ring set in sterling silver with twisted rope border and palmette design.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Necklace
Navajo Turquoise Necklace

Navajo Turquoise Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Double strand Navajo pearl sterling silver and Morenci turquoise necklace.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

1960s Navajo Turquoise Shell Beaded Necklace
1960s Navajo Turquoise Shell Beaded Necklace

1960s Navajo Turquoise Shell Beaded Necklace

Located in Scottsdale, AZ

Introducing the 1960s Navajo Turquoise Shell Beaded Necklace, a timeless vintage piece that captures the rich tradition and craftsmanship of Navajo jewelry.

Category

1960s Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant Necklace
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant Necklace

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Cross Pendant Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver cross pendant necklace.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise Cluster and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise Cluster and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise cluster and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Vintage Navajo Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff
Vintage Navajo Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff

Vintage Navajo Turquoise Sterling Silver Cuff

Located in West Palm Beach, FL

This vintage Navajo turquoise sterling silver cuff is a striking example of traditional Southwestern craftsmanship.

Category

Mid-20th Century Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Squash Blossom necklace with eight turquoise stone naja and ten turquoise stone rope.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cluster Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo petit point turquoise and sterling cluster bracelet.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo three-stone turquoise bracelet. Each stone set in thick stamped sterling border and inlaid in shadowbox against three strand band with twisted rope center.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Kachina Bolo
Navajo Turquoise Kachina Bolo

Navajo Turquoise Kachina Bolo

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Kachina design highlighted with six natural untreated Kingman turquoise cabochons resting in sawtooth silver bezels.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Battle Mountain turquoise and sterling silver squash blossom necklace.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Morenci turquoise and sterling squash blossom necklace.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo sand cast turquoise and sterling squash blossom necklace. 10 quality Kingman turquoise stones on each side in flower design with 7 additional matching stones on naja.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Kingman turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Morenci turquoise and sterling squash blossom necklace.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cross Necklace
Navajo Turquoise Cross Necklace

Navajo Turquoise Cross Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Native American Navajo Indian sterling silver and Sleeping Beauty large cross pendant with hand stamped palmettes on 30 strand liquid silver chain. Cross has six rectangle stones wit...

Category

Late 20th Century American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sand Cast Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sand Cast Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sand Cast Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver sand cast cuff bracelet.

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Silver Concho Belt

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo turquoise and sterling silver concho belt.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Native American Navajo Indian sterling silver and turquoise bracelet by Navajo Silversmith Glen Adakai.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo petit point turquoise and sterling cluster bracelet.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo petit point turquoise and sterling silver bracelet. 35 round-cut deep teal and blue stones set in geometric cluster design with sterling bead accents.

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo petit point turquoise and sterling cluster bracelet.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Cluster Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo Sleeping Beauty turquoise and sterling silver cluster petit point bracelet.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo sterling silver and turquoise squash blossom necklace. 18 exceptional Kingman turquoise stones set in shadow box with twisted rope border.

Category

Mid-20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace
Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

Navajo Turquoise Squash Blossom Necklace

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Exceptional Navajo sterling silver and Morenci turquoise squash blossom necklace.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise Concho Cuff Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise Concho Cuff Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise Concho Cuff Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo single-stone turquoise concho cuff bracelet.

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Large turquoise and sterling silver bracelet. Five banded sterling cuff bracelet with five Morenci turquoise stones. Each stone surrounded by sterling bead border. Unmarked. Old Pawn...

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Large Blue Gem turquoise stone framed by intricate stamped sterling and twisted rope border. Unmarked. Old Pawn. From the Indian Store in...

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Large bracelet with two stones set in shadowbox and surrounded by twisted rope border, with feathers and sterling beads on either side. T...

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Sleeping Beauty turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. Open design on sterling with single center stone. Stone is surrounded by twisted rope border and scalloped design with st...

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Coral Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Turquoise and coral sterling silver cuff bracelet. With center shadowbox design having Cripple Creek turquoise and coral stones, framed by twisted rope and feather border. Unmarked. ...

Category

20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet
Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

Navajo Turquoise and Silver Bracelet

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Large turquoise and sterling silver cuff bracelet. With round shadowbox in center holding six Kingman turquoise stones and stamped sterling beads. Framed by sterling silver feathers....

Category

Late 20th Century American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Turquoise, Sterling Silver

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Ring
Navajo Turquoise and Coral Ring

Navajo Turquoise and Coral Ring

By Navajo

Located in Coeur d Alene, ID

Navajo ring with turquoise and coral old pawn ring.

Category

1950s American Native American Vintage Navajo Turquoise

Materials

Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver

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Vintage Navajo Turquoise For Sale on 1stDibs

You are likely to find exactly the vintage navajo turquoise you’re looking for on 1stDibs, as there is a broad range for sale. Every item for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using Silver and Sterling Silver. Finding the perfect vintage navajo turquoise may mean sifting through those created during different time periods — you can find an early version that dates to the 20th Century and a newer variation that were made as recently as the 20th Century. A vintage navajo turquoise from Navajo Indian Art — each of whom created a beautiful version of this treasured accessory — is worth considering. A vintage navajo turquoise can be a stylish choice for most occasions, but Turquoise rings, from our inventory of 17, can add a particularly distinctive touch to your look, day or night. See these pages for a cabochon iteration of this accessory, while there are also oval cut cut and emerald cut cut versions available here, too. Most of our vintage navajo turquoise for sale are for women, but there are 16 pieces available to browse for men.

How Much is a Vintage Navajo Turquoise?

Prices for a vintage navajo turquoise can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, these accessories begin at $195 and can go as high as $5,800, while this accessory, on average, fetches $990.

The Legacy of Turquoise in Jewelry Design

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.