Turquoise is beloved for thousands of years by people from royals to the richly challenged. The world's first known turquoise mine is 7000 years old. Turquoise is introduced to Europe in the 13th century AD by the Ottoman.
The name turquoise comes from the French word for Turks. It's the only rock to have a color named after it. Turquoise can range from green-blue to scumbled or light blue shades.
Most esteemed of quality is the robin's egg blue color of turquoise mined in Persia. Neyshabur Mine in Iran is considered the oldest turquoise mine in the world.
In architecture, Iranian blue turquoise covers the domes of palaces. The intense blue is a symbol of heaven on earth. The bright blue stone of Iran is color-changing, as it turns green when heated.
The blue of turquoise comes from the copper content in the stone. Turquoise can contain other minerals like pyrite or fool's gold, or veins of limonite, a mix of iron oxides.
Green indicates iron inclusions. Considered a semi-precious gemstone now, turquoise is a valuable commodity in ancient times.
Turquoise is created when mineral-laden water infiltrates crevices in rocks. Over time, only the minerals are left behind, forming turquoise. The presence of copper in turquoise bestows blue and green hues.
The stone polishes to an almost translucent gleam and is just slightly harder than glass. Due to its proximity to ground level and its lustrous beauty, turquoise is one of the first stones to be mined.
Some ancient mines are still in use today. It's a valuable gemstone on the early trade routes such as the Amber Road and the Steppe routes.
In spirituality and magic, turquoise wards off evil and creates a protective aura. It's a stone of communication, and promotes productive discussion and an open mind. Wearing, rubbing or holding turquoise can soothe anxiety and channel productive thinking.
Turquoise also comes from the United States, with large deposits throughout the lands. It's originally used by the indigenous people. Arizona currently produces the highest quantity of turquoise in the US.
In Aztec lore, Xiuhtēcuhtli also called Turquoise Lord or Lord of Fire is a father god of fire, day and heat. For Aztec priests, turquoise is a symbol of fire. In every Aztec home, a small fire is kept burning at the sacred center in tribute to Xiuhtecuhtli.
.jpg)
Turquoise is lucky for marriage and relationships, aiding communication with one's partner(s). Blue is calming to the mentality and also one of the colors of the element Water, both being yin energies focused on thought and intuition. Pure blue brings clarity.
Turquoise is especially lucky for people born under the zodiac signs of Pisces and Sagittarius. Aquarius can benefit from this stone too. Like a mountain stream, turquoise causes thoughts and words to flow.
Non-Fiction Books:
Fiction Books:
READ: Lora Ley Adventures - Germanic Mythology Fiction Series
READ: Reiker For Hire - Victorian Detective Murder Mysteries