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.
