Introduction & General Information About
Turquoise
This website will help you find the locations of mines and sources
of Turquoise. Most Turquoise deposits are in arid to semi-arid regions
in igneous rock formations that contain high copper concentrations.
Deposits of Turquoise can be found in Afghanistan, Africa, Armenia,
Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt, Europe, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan,
Mexico, Russia, Siberia, Tanzania, Turkey, and the United States.
United States of America
There are Turquoise deposits in Arizona,
California, Colorado, Montana,
New Mexico, Nevada,
Utah and Virginia. High Grade
American Turquoise is of the greatest value around the world, second
to none. American Turquoise specimens are usually cut with the matrix
in them, a good cutter tries to create a picture in the cabochon,
the stones have black, white or brown matrices. Many times cutters
around the world try to cut Turquoise from other countries and sell
it as American Turquoise. The Arizona copper mines-These mines are
famous for many exquisite mineral specimens, including Turquoise.
Virginia-Miners found the first examples of crystalline Turquoise
in Virginia in 1911, but Virginia has never been a source for much
gem turquoise.
Middle East
The major sources are in the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. Iran-The
finest of the world’s Turquoise specimens come from the deposits
in Northeastern Iran. The stones from here have the much sought
after Robin’s Egg Blue with few or now streaks and are among
the most valuable opaque gemstones. To no surprise Turquoise is
the national gem of Iran. Sinai Peninsula-The Egyptians began mining
Turquoise here as early as 5500 BC.
This section is intended to uncover references in history to gems,
gemstones, minerals, crystals, precious metals and semi-precious
stones and to investigate the role they played in the development
of the cultures in which they were utilized. We believe examples
of royal jewelry and ancient jewelry from anthropology, sociology
and archaeology from the ancient societies of Egypt, Mesopotamia,
Greece, Rome and especially the work of Pre-Columbian American cultures
of the North American Indians, Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans to be
of craftsmanship that has not been equaled since. Where possible
in our history of jewelry, we’ve tried to include methods of
manufacture, materials and technology. From the bible, commerce,
celestial beliefs to modern crystal collecting.
Egypt-The history of Turquoise use in the Middle East coincides
with the beginning of civilization itself. Turquoise mining began
in the Sinai Peninsula around 5500 BC. The stones taken from these
mines served jewelry, amulet and cosmetic purposes for millennia.
In 1900, archaeologists who excavated the tomb of the Egyptian Queen
Zer (5500 BC) found a Turquoise and gold bracelet on her wrist.
These are the world’s oldest known examples of surviving jewelry.
Persia-Around 3200 BC, the kings of Egypt began annual mining expeditions
to the Sinai. In Persia, Archaeologists have found beads of Turquoise
that date around 5000 BC. Amulets from 600 AD contained carvings
of Islamic and Persian Proverbs. The fine stones from this area
were important sources of trade and were found in graves as far
away as Turkestan and the Caucasus. These revered stones, so important
to the Persian culture, were called Ferozah, which meant victorious.
In modern times, Iran honors Turquoise as its national gemstone.
The Bible-The book of Exodus contains an important reference to
Turquoise. The Breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest Aaron contained
twelve stones set in four rows. Turquoise was the first stone on
the second row.
Pre-Columbian America
Southwestern United States-The Anasazi had opened their Turquoise
mines by 1000 AD and had established extensive trading practices
with the peoples of what is now Mexico. The mining locations included
locations in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. In cities such as
Chaco Canyon, the Anasazi traded their Turquoise for the feathers
of tropical birds. As demand for the Anasazi Turquoise grew in the
south, the society at Chaco Canyon grew wealthy. The ancient Turquoise
jewelry of the Zuni tribes was characterized by prominent inserts
of the stone. Navajo Turquoise jewelry features die-stamped designs.
In the 16th century, the cultures of the American Southwest used
Turquoise as currency. It was also often found on the facades of
Indian homes.
Mexico-Aztec Turquoise mines began operating between 900-1000 AD.
Asia
By the middle of the first millennium, AD, China had begun using
Turquoise and although they had mines in their empire, they imported
most of their stones from Persians, the Turks, the Tibetans and
Mongols. Japan’s use of Turquoise began in the 18th Century
AD.
Europe
Around 500 BC, inhabitants in Siberia had begun using the stone,
But it did not gain favor with Western European fashion until the
late middle ages when trade with the Near and Middle East had increased.
The origin of the word Turquoise is French and comes from Venetian
Traders, who bought it from the great bazaars in Turkey, though
the Turkish traders brought it from the Persian mines. Shakespeare’s
"The Merchant of Venice” features a Turquoise ring. The
Aesthetic Period (1880-1901) responded to the strict provisions
of Queen Victoria’s mourning and jewelry became more whimsical;
Turquoise played a large role in the jewelry of this period but
played an even greater role during the Romantic Period (1837 to
1860). The light gold worked jewelry of this period contained fine
gems that were often accented by Turquoise.
