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Turquoise

Turquoise is a cooper aluminum phosphate mineral. Its striking blue colour is caused by copper, and the greenish shades of Turquoise are because of iron. Its crystal structure is triclinic, and it is usually composed of submicroscopic crystals, making the stones opaque.

The name Turquoise is derived from the French pierre turquoise, meaning ‘Turkish stone’. This is because the trade routes through which Turquoise reached Europe from the mines in central Asia went through Turkey, and Venetian merchants often bought the stones in Turkish bazaars.

Turquoise may be the longest-used of all gemstones. Beads dating back to 5000 B.C. have been found in Iraq. The Egyptians were mining Turquoise in the Sinai in 3200 B.C. Throughout history, Turquoise has been fashioned into jewellery and decorations for a host of objects, from weapons to amulets.

Turquoise is the national gemstone of Iran, and it has been the most valued gem in Tibet for many centuries. About 1,000 years ago, Native Americans began to mine and fashion Turquoise, and the gem has been found in burial sites from Argentina to New Mexico.

In current times, the best quality Turquoise stones come from Iran, Afghanistan, Australia, Tibet and the southwest United States.

Turquoise is considered to represent the wisdom that comes from all of life’s experiences. It is believed to be an ancient Grandfather ally, counselling one that all experiences are valid and that mistakes are simply another experience.

Turquoise is said to be a stone for self-forgiveness, self-acceptance and the release of useless regrets. It may encourage one to honour oneself as a creation and a tool of the Divine.