If there's one stone that shows up in nearly every culture's jewelry history, it's turquoise. From ancient Persia to the American Southwest to Ancient Egypt, this opaque blue-green stone has been carved, strung, and set into jewelry for over 6,000 years — and it's still one of the most requested stones in our own collection.
What Makes Turquoise, Turquoise
Turquoise is a copper and aluminum phosphate mineral, which is what gives it that signature blue-to-green color range. More copper leans a stone toward sky blue; more iron pulls it toward green. The dark veining running through many stones — called the *matrix* — is actually remnants of the host rock the turquoise formed in, which is part of what makes every natural piece one-of-a-kind rather than uniform.
The Legend of the Sky Stone
Long before turquoise had a place in a jewelry box, it had a place in the sky. In Navajo tradition, turquoise was said to form when rain fell to earth and mixed with the blue of the sky itself — part of why it's still sometimes called "the sky stone." Holy people were said to have thrown turquoise into the sky to create the stars and the deep blue of the heavens.
In Persia, turquoise was worn as a shield against the "evil eye," set into dagger hilts, horse bridles, and mosque walls, on the belief the stone would absorb misfortune before it reached its owner. Persian turquoise became so prized that "Persian blue" is still the benchmark shade the rest of the world's turquoise is compared against.
And in Ancient Egypt, turquoise was mined in the Sinai Peninsula as early as 3000 BCE, at a site the Egyptians called the "Country of Turquoise." It was carved into scarabs and inlaid into the funerary mask of Tutankhamun, meant to protect him into the next life.
Three cultures, separated by oceans and centuries, all arrived at the same instinct about this one stone: that it protects, that it connects earth to sky, and that it's worth carrying with you.
Caring for Turquoise
Turquoise is porous and a little softer than most gemstones, so it holds onto scent, oil, and moisture more easily than something like quartz:
- Keep it away from perfume, lotion, and household chemicals — it can absorb oils and discolor over time
- Take it off before swimming, showering, or working out
- Clean with a soft, dry cloth only
- Store it separately from harder stones that could scratch it
Worn and cared for over the years, turquoise develops what collectors call a *patina* — a slight, natural deepening of color that's part of its charm rather than a flaw.
Wearing It
Turquoise pairs beautifully with sterling silver for a classic Southwestern look, and just as well against warm gold for something more modern. Because the color is so saturated, one turquoise piece is often enough to anchor an entire look — a pendant, a statement ring, or a cuff, worn without much else competing for attention.
Shop the collection: Shades Of Blue