Turquoise has been around for a long time. For centuries people have adored the radiant blue stone and we can certainly see why. Symbolising protection, healing or accuracy, Turquoise has had many different meanings in different cultures over the years yet its sacredness has remained the same. In fact, Kings, Pharaohs and Tribal Leaders have embellished themselves with the captivating gemstone throughout history.
The Ancient Egyptians
Evidence of Turquoise has been found in ancient Egyptian tombs dating all the way back to 3000 BCE. It’s well known that the Egyptians would set Turquoise in gold necklaces and rings and hand carve it into scarabs. It was recognised as a symbol of rebirth, regeneration and protection in the afterlife. Beautifully crafted into a dung beetle, which is seen as a sacred insect, the scarab is linked with the sun god Khepri who was responsible for bringing the sunrise every day. The fact that Turquoise was carved into scarabs shows how much the Egyptians valued the breathtaking gemstone. Most remarkably, King Tut’s impressive burial mask was lavishly adorned with Turquoise - another sign of how utterly special the gem was to this civilisation.
You’ll find the oldest Turquoise mines in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt with one located close by to an ancient temple dedicated to Hathor - the Greek goddess of love and joy. She was believed to be the protector in the desert and as the patron saint of mining. The Egyptian name for Turquoise was medway, which translates to joy and delight.
Ancient Persians
The ancient persians were also huge admirers of the sky blue gemstone regularly engraving Turquoise with Arabic script. Impressively, Persians covered palace domes in Turquoise as to them the beautiful blue shade symbolised heaven. It was these extravagant domes that inspired using the stone in other buildings such as the Taj Mahal.
Turquoise to the Persians was a source of protection, they thought that the change in colour, which usually happens due to sunlight or solvent exposure, would scare away any doom coming their way. They decorated their daggers and horses’ bridles with it, wore it around their neck and in their turbans, calling the gem pirouzeh, which means victory.
As well as adorning themselves with the exquisite stone, Persians would use Turquoise to protect against unnatural death and believe that just by looking at the gem would strength their vision.
Ancient China
Turquoise has been mined in China since 1700 B.C. That’s a long time - over 3700 years ago. Apparently, even though there were many Turquoise mines in this part of the world, it was not widely used with the majority of Turquoise in the ancient times sourced from the Turks, Persians and Mongolians. You’ll find Chinese Turquoise mines in the Mashaan and Hubei Province.
Around the Globe
The introduction to Europe was by the Turkish traders, which carried it along the Silk Road all the way back in the 13th century. This is when it got its current name as it is named after the French term “Pierre torques” which means “Turkish stone.” Persian Turquoise comes from Iran’s northeastern city of Neyshabur, which was an integral region of the ancient Silk Road.
Pre-Columbian Native Americans sourced the vivid blue stone from the mines that currently produce fine Turquoise in the now southwestern United States. It was regularly used by Shamans during holy ceremonies to connect with the spirit of the sky.
Apache Indians would attach Turquoise to their bows to bring precision to their hunting whereas Aztecs believed the mesmerising stone brought protection and would adorn their ceremonial masks, knives and shields with it. Turquoise became highly prized in the North American trade, introducing it to the South.
It was when the white men came to America that Turquoise became an important item to trade. In approximately 1885, the Navajo Indians of the American Southwest started to craft Turquoise jewellery. Not long after in 1900, people visiting the Grand Canyon would take Turquoise jewellery home as a souvenir. Thirty years later, movie stars became huge fans spreading their love for the gem to a large audience. By the 1970’s, Hollywood had increased the demand of Turquoise designs and in particular, Spiderweb Turquoise.
Medicinal Powers
Turquoise was often used for medicinal purposes in the ancient world. It was thought that the sacred stone would prevent various kinds of illnesses or ailments such as stomach upsets, internal bleeding and even stop blindness. It was commonly used when stung or bitten from scorpions or snakes. Our favourite blue stone was ground into powder and made into salves to help with many different types of injuries. If it helped, who knows, however, centuries ago Turquoise was a sacred stone that had unlimited healing powers and sources of protection and prevention.
