Turquoise Jewelry
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Gemstone: Turquoise
Style: Native American
Navajo Turquoise and Coral Necklace
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian beaded turquoise and coral necklace. Exceptional piece featuring large Royston turquoise nuggets in deep green, sea green, and sky-blue colors. All with great matrix, some having brown matrix, some having gold. Each stone is interspersed with a small bright red coral bead. With traditional sterling silver clasp. A bold statement piece that would complement a Southwestern or vintage eclectic...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Turquoise and Coral Beaded Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian turquoise and coral beaded necklace. Three strand beaded necklace with small chipped natural turquoise from a variety of mines, interspersed with small coral beads. Beaded on string with sterling silver accent bead work and three large natural, untreated turquoise nuggets in center. Stones vary from a light sea green color to a bright sky-blue color. A truly stunning statement piece that would complement a formal Southwestern look or a vintage eclectic style...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Native American 3 Stone Raw Turquoise Vintage Ring
Located in Greenport, NY
Native American 3 Stone Raw Turquoise Vintage Ring
Amazing Turquoise Ring with 3 Beautiful Raw Turquoise Stones, and Striped Sterling Silver Ring
Size 10
Stamped "K.Y Sterling"
Category
1970s North American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Fred Harvey Turquoise Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian turquoise and sterling silver Fred Harvey bracelet. This lovely bracelet has three snake-eye turquoise cabochons, su...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver .925 Morenci Turquoise Squash Blossom Navajo by Don Platero
Located in Las Vegas, NV
OLD PAWN
Handmade by Navajo Artist Don Platero ~ Sterling Silver .925 ~ 122 carats of Morenci Turquoise Squash Blossom.
The Squash Blossom measures approx. length 32" ~ Naja approx....
Category
1970s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Southwestern Sterling Turquoise Cuff Bracelet 6.5 Inches
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous Southwestern cuff bracelet is sterling silver.
The face of this cuff bracelet measures 1 3/16 inches at its widest point.
It has an inner circumference of 6 1/2 inches...
Category
Early 2000s American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Damele Mine Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
By Navajo
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo single stone bracelet. The Turquoise is from the Damele Mine in Nevada. Large beautiful stone, slash work on sterling bracelet with nice patina (can be buffed out to make shiny again). Maker's mark "Robert Kelley".
One of our long time favorite varieties of American Turquoise has always been Damele also spelled Damale or Damaile. We love all the gems from the famous Nevada mine, the Turquoise, the Variscite and the Faustite. The Damele mine outside of Austin, Nevada produces some of the most wonderful Turquoise and Variscite in the world. A great majority of the Damele Turquoise...
Category
1960s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Kingman Turquoise and Sterling Bracelet
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Navajo Kingman turquoise bracelet with five nuggets surrounded by twisted rope border. Turquoise is stunning lighter blue color of excellent quality.
PERIOD: After 1950
ORIGIN: Nav...
Category
1950s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Rare Zuni Gold Ring
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa 1970s, 14k, by Wayne & Virginia Quam, Zuni, American. This gorgeous ring by renowned Zuni silversmiths, Virginia and Wayne Quam, is a rare gold (14k) version. Demonstrating a s...
Category
1970s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Onyx, Turquoise, Jasper, Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Navajo Handmade ~ Sterling Silver .925 ~ Dry Creek Turquoise 32" Squash Blossom
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Signed ~ Navajo Handmade ~ Large Sterling Silver .925 ~ Dry Creek Turquoise ~ 32" Squash Blossom, plus 4" pendant...total length 36" top to bottom...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Sterling Silver Easter Blue Turquoise 34" Squash Blossom ~ T. Vandever
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Signed ~ Navajo Handmade ~ Large ~ Sterling Silver .925 Easter Blue Turquoise ~ 34" Squash Blossom by Tim Vandever
bottom piece measures 3 1/4" x 5 1/2"
if you like big ~ here yo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Beautiful Artisan Made Blue Turquoise Sterling Silver Native American Ring
Located in Greenport, NY
Beautiful Artisan Made Blue Turquoise Sterling Silver Native American Ring
A beautiful bright blue artisan made turquiose sterli...
Category
Early 2000s North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Large Vintage Navajo Turquoise Ring Size 8
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous Navajo turquoise ring is done in a traditional style.
It is sterling silver. The turquoise is natural.
The face of this ring measures 3/4 of an inch east to west and 1...
Category
1980s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage Old Pawn Navajo Silver & Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Navajo silver and turquoise cuff bracelet.
Center set with a turquoise cabochon.
Simply a wonderful piece of Old Pawn silver!
Date:
Early 20th Ce...
Category
20th Century North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
Native American Sterling And Turquoise Bangle Cuff
Located in New York, NY
An old Pawn Navajo or Hopi, Sandcast Native American Sterling Silver Bangle with a turquoise cabochon accent. The hallmark is scratched in cursive and it is Maria 29- E52E911. This piece of jewelry is very similar to others created and signed by Harrison Bitsue. Vintage and Modern Native American Ethnic...
Category
20th Century Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Cluster 1940s Sterling Bracelet
Located in Pasadena, CA
Navajo Sterling Native Americana Bracelet with Turquoise Beads. Great craftsmanship with wheel wagon design on the edges. Wonderful aged Turquoise and sterling provide a beautiful pa...
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Native American Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Vintage Squash Blossom Necklace
Located in Montreal, QC
Simply Beautiful! Highly Desirable Native American Original Navajo Squash Blossom Necklace. A unique take on the traditional Squash Blossom necklaces, with elongated modern blossoms ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage Santo Domingo Multi Strand Turquoise Treasure Fetish Bead Necklace
Located in Frazier Park, CA
Important One of a Kind Unique Native American hand carved Santo Domingo multi strand fetish bead necklace.
The strands are: 30", 26", & 24"
Materials include: Natural Carved Turqu...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Agate, Onyx, Sterling Silver
Vintage Navajo Turquoise and Coral Ring Size 13
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous vintage Southwestern ring is sterling silver with natural turquoise and coral stones.
The face of this ring measures 13/16 of an inch north to south with a rise of 6mm off the finger.
Size...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Coral, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
KIRK SMITH Vintage Navajo Silver Ultra High Gem Grade #8 Turquoise Brooch
Located in Frazier Park, CA
Vintage Signed Native American Navajo Sterling Silver Stampwork Brooch w/ Incredible Fine Ultra High Gem Grade Water Web “Birdseye” Matrix Turquoise Cabochon Brooch by
KIRK SMITH...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
1970s Sterling KingMan Native American Bracelet
Located in Pasadena, CA
1970s Sterling King Man Native American Bracelet. Turquoise cuff bracelet Kingman. Hand made with sterling silver and turquois stones. Amazing quality sterling.
Stones are embedded ...
Category
1970s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Sterling Silver Cuff Links with Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Cabochon
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
Sterling silver cuff links made exclusively for Shades of the West by one of our Navajo silversmiths. The 1” x 3/4” cufflinks have a 1/4” x 1/2” Sleeping B...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Fred Harvey Era Sterling Silver Green Turquoise Cuff Bracelet #15359
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Fred Harvey Era sterling silver and green turquoise cuff bracelet.
This beautiful cuff in Fred Harvey style features an oval bezel set green turq...
Category
20th Century Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Turquoise Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian sterling silver and Blue Diamond turquoise necklace. Graduated Navajo pearl sterling silver chain ending with larg...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Mexico 1950 Taxco Statement Cuff Bracelet In 925 Sterling Silver With Turquoises
By Taxco
Located in Miami, FL
Statement cuff bracelet in Sterling silver.
Beautiful and bold cuff bracelet, created in Taxco Mexico during the mid-century period, back in the 1950. It was crafted as a slide cuff...
Category
1950s Mexican Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver, Silver
Southwestern Vintage Green Turquoise Necklace
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous Southwestern necklace features genuine turquoise disk beads, sterling silver beads and a sterling silver hook style clasp.
Measurements: 14mm wide, 18 inches from end ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Native American Sterling Silver Feather Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Sterling silver Native American bracelet with large oval turquoise, maker unknown. Bracelet measures 5.5" in circumference with a 1.25" gap. Good for a medium sized wrist. Signed S...
Category
Early 2000s American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Southwestern Sterling Topaz Turquoise Two Finger Ring Sizes 9 and 8.5
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous ring by Running Bear is a two finger ring.
It is sterling silver with a 10mm blue topaz and 6 snake eye cut turquoise gemstones.
The face o...
Category
2010s North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Topaz, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Native American Needlepoint Turquoise Inlay Butterfly Cuff Bracelets
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous vintage cuff bracelet is gold filled with natural turquoise, onyx and coral gemstones.
It is the creation of Laguna Pueblo artist Paul Lucario Jr.
The face of this br...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise
Vintage Navajo Shadowbox Feather Necklace Arnold Maloney
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous vintage necklace is sterling silver and is the creation of Navajo artist Arnold Maloney.
It features traditional feathers and a natural turquoise in a shadowbox settin...
Category
1980s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Huge Sterling Turquoise Indian Head Ring Native American Chief
Located in Webster, SD
This huge, stunning chieftain ring is sterling silver with an 11x13mm natural turquoise stone.
It is the creation of Navajo silversmith Curtis John.
The face of this ring measures ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Figural Dance Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian dancer multi inlaid stone necklace. Large pendant with mother of pearl background including amber, onyx, spiny oyster, and turquoise dancer figure in center. Framed by twisted rope border, stamped sterling beads, and wrapping leaf topped with flower. Attached to Navajo pearl and cylindrical sterling bead necklace...
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Onyx, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Santo Domingo Beaded Shell Pendant Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Santo Domingo Indian burnt orange spiny oyster necklace. Piece has beaded chain with large and small round spiny oyster beads, fe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise
Navajo Sleeping Beauty Turquoise and Sterling Silver Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian turquoise and sterling silver sand cast necklace. Six Morenci turquoise stones attached to a sand casted naja sty...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Fine Estate Ervin Tsosie Navajo Turquoise Coral Lapis Lazuli Inlay Bear Necklace
Located in New York, NY
Large estate Navajo sterling silver, turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli, mother of pearl, onyx micro inlay large Sacred Bear necklace by Ervin Tsosie
20th Century
The bear is a sacred and powerful symbol in Navajo culture, symbolizing strength, wisdom and courage. This striking necklace by Ervin Tsosie is composed of sterling silver and turquoise inlaid sterling silver bead chain and a large 3 inch wide sterling silver and gemstone inlaid Bear...
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Coral, Lapis Lazuli, Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Turquoise Loop Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian turquoise and heishe Jacla with spiney oyster corn. Jacla is Navajo for "ear string" . The two hoops would be r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise
Vintage Old Pawn Navajo Silver & Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Navajo silver and turquoise cuff bracelet.
Center set with a turquoise cabochon.
Simply a wonderful piece of Old Pawn silver!
Date:
Early 20th Ce...
Category
20th Century North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
Navajo Fox Turquoise and Sterling Beaded Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian beaded necklace with gradient natural Fox turquoise stones interspersed with Navajo pearl style patinated sterling b...
Category
Late 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo Turquoise Reversible Pendant
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Large Native American Navajo Indian highly detailed sterling silver pendant with rotating Kingman turquoise center stone. Stone is floating in pendant with ornate and intricate sterl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Vintage Southwestern Zuni Turquoise Cabochon Sterling Silver Cuff Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine turquoise Zuni Pueblo cuff bracelet.
In sterling silver.
Bezel set with 3 row of small turquoise cabochons.
Simply a wonderful Southwestern br...
Category
20th Century North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Native American Navajo 1950 Squash Blossom Necklace Sterling and Green Turquoise
By Navajo
Located in Miami, FL
Exceptional Native American Navajo necklace.
A beautiful vintage tribal piece, created in Arizona by the Navajo native Americans back in the 1950. This squash blossom necklace was e...
Category
1950s North American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
Santo Domingo Spiny Oyster Shell Beaded Necklace
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Santo Domingo spiny oyster and natural Kingman turquoise Heishi necklace. Having five strands with coral beaded ends and graduated stones, sterling silver ties and two large spiny oy...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Coral, Turquoise
Don Goyo de Dia with Diamonds Pendant by Gala is Love
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
A vibrant, eye catching medallion inspired by our fascination with El Popocatépetl Volcano and Mexican Artist Dr Atl´s work.
Navajo work inlay gemstones, cast ...
Category
2010s Mexican Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Diamond, Multi-gemstone, Turquoise, Jasper, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
Antique Zuni Bear 77 Fetish Necklace Sleeping Beauty Turquoise Native American
Located in New York, NY
THIS IS A MAGNIFICENT ANTIQUE NATIVE AMERICAN INDIAN ZUNI SLEEPING BEAUTY TURQUOISE, JET, AGATE, PIPESTONE, MOTHER OF PEARL BEAR, ANIMAL FETISH NE...
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Agate, Turquoise, Pearl
Vintage Old Pawn Navajo Silver & Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Navajo silver and turquoise cuff bracelet.
Set with 3 turquoise cabochons.
Simply a wonderful piece of Old Pawn silver!
Date:
20th Century
Over...
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
Native American 1950 Zuni Bird Necklace In Sterling Inlaid Turquoise & Carnelian
By Zuni
Located in Miami, FL
A Native American Zuni necklace.
A beautiful vintage tribal piece, created in Arizona by the Zuni Native American culture, back in the ...
Category
1950s North American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Carnelian, Turquoise, Silver, Sterling Silver
Old Pawn Native American Cerrillos Turquoise and Sterling Cuff
Located in Branson, MO
This rare, handmade turn of the century Native American Cuff was purchased from the “Old Man” at the Pawn Stars shop in Las Vegas. An incredible work of art, a collectors showpiece ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Anthony Brown Sterling Silver & Kingman Turquoise Native American Bracelet Cuff
Located in Fairfield, CT
This timeless, heirloom-quality Navajo Kingman turquoise bracelet is a testament to vintage elegance and the remarkable craftsmanship of the renowned silversmith, Anthony Brown...
Category
1980s Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Navajo White Buffalo Turquoise Ring
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Native American Navajo Indian sterling silver and White Buffalo turquoise ring by Avin Joe. Featuring a large square shaped natural, untre...
Category
2010s American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Large Vintage Southwestern Turquoise Spiny Oyster Inlay Earrings
Located in Webster, SD
These gorgeous southwestern earrings are sterling silver.
They feature turquoise, spiny oyster and sugilite inlay.
Measurements: 1 3/8 by 2 1/16 inches
Weight: 17.3 grams
Marks: St...
Category
1880s American Native American Antique Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Tommy Singer Onyx and Charoite Necklace
By Tommy Singer
Located in Coeur d Alene, ID
Tommy Singer navajo onyx and sugilite necklace with four strands. Silver accents with 14kt gold overlay.
PERIOD: After 1950
ORIGIN: Navajo, Southwe...
Category
1950s American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Onyx, Turquoise
Vintage Early 1960s Native American Navajo Turquoise, Silver & Leather Bolo Tie
By Navajo
Located in Greenport, NY
Vintage 1960s Native American Navajo Turquoise, Silver. & Leather Bolo Tie
This gorgeous peice features five beautiful turquoise nuggets in varying shades which are inlaid atop a st...
Category
1960s North American Native American Vintage Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
Navajo Tufa Turquoise Cuff Bracelet
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous estate cuff is sterling silver with a 14x17mm turquoise gemstone.
It features a tufa cast design.
The face of this cuff bracelet measures 7/8 of an inch wide. It has a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Santo Domingo Kewa Pueblo Inlaid Petrified Shell Turquoise Heishi Necklace
Located in New York, NY
This is a fantastic, antique SANTO DOMINGO Kewa Pueblo necklace. The piece is very rare and special as it is made with a Petrified Shell pendant instead of the typical shell. This piece consists of a large petrified shell pendant which is inlaid with turquoise, white shell, and black onyx. The pendant hangs from a necklace of graduated, thin, turquoise disk-shaped and what I believe are clay or further petrified material, Heishi beads.
The pendant measures approximately 2 inches tall by 1 3/4 inches wide.
The necklace portion is 25 inches long.
The wonderful necklace would be a fine addition to a collection of Native American or southwest jewelry.
Identification
This necklace is a fine and rare example of Kewa (Santo Domingo) Pueblo jewelry.
Category
20th Century American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Onyx, Turquoise
Navajo Kokopelli Turquoise Bracelet Pendant Jewelry Set
Located in Webster, SD
This gorgeous pendant and cuff bracelet jewelry set is sterling silver with natural sleeping beauty turquoise.
These pieces are the creation of Navajo silversmith Leonard Jim...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
LB handmade Kingman Turquoise disc beads Faceted Swarovski AB crystals necklace
By Lorraines' Bijoux
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
LB offers a gorgeous Kingman Turquoise disc bead necklace from Arizona mine. In my travels I found these amazing beads in the boutique at the mine location. They are gorgeous greens ...
Category
2010s American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Crystal, Turquoise, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver
Native American Bernice Taylor Navajo Sterling Silver Turquoise Pendant
Located in Washington Depot, CT
Sterling silver and green turquoise pendant by Native American artisan, Bernice Taylor.
Bernice Taylor was a prominent Navajo artist of the 70...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Sterling Silver
Large Turquoise Cluster Silver Cuff Bracelet
Located in Cincinnati, OH
Large and beautiful sterling silver turquoise cluster bracelet.
24 turquoise stones.
Beautiful, handcrafted metal in a scallop design.
T...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Native American Antique Turquoise Jewelry
Materials
Turquoise, Silver
Vintage and Antique Turquoise Jewelry
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.
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