Turquoise is one of the oldest known gemstones, revered and cherished for thousands of years. From ancient Egypt to Native American tribes and beyond, its rich history spans continents and cultures. In this post, we’ll explore the history of turquoise, its significance in different civilizations, and how it continues to be valued today.
Turquoise Through the Ages
The story of turquoise dates back over 7,000 years, and its rich blue to green hues have captured the imagination of civilizations across the globe.
Ancient Egypt: A Sacred Gemstone
The ancient Egyptians were among the first to mine and use turquoise, with turquoise jewellery being a prominent part of their burials and amulets. They believed the stone was sacred to the goddess Hathor, symbolizing fertility and rebirth. Pharaohs were often buried with turquoise-studded jewellery and burial masks, including King Tutankhamun, whose famous burial mask features inlays of turquoise.
The Egyptian turquoise was sourced primarily from the Sinai Peninsula, and it was used not just for adornment, but also in the form of amulets, rings, and scarabs — the latter often being carved from turquoise to symbolize the rising sun and the god Khepri.
“In ancient Egypt, turquoise was not just a gemstone — it was a symbol of life, rebirth, and divine protection.”
Persian Turquoise: The Blue Jewel of Kings
Turquoise was equally revered in Persia (modern-day Iran), where it was considered one of the most prized stones in the empire. Persian rulers adorned their palaces with turquoise mosaics, using the stone for decorative accents in domes, jewellery, and even dagger handles. The blue color was believed to resemble the heavens, and many Persian kings saw it as a symbol of their divine right to rule.
One fascinating legend surrounding Persian turquoise is that the stone was said to change color as a warning of impending danger. This belief made turquoise a prized feature in royal regalia, with the stone serving as a protective talisman for the wearer.
“In Persia, turquoise was more than just decoration; it was thought to bring protection and victory to its owner.”
Turquoise in the Americas
Long before Europeans arrived, turquoise held deep spiritual and cultural importance among Indigenous peoples of the Americas.
In the American Southwest, turquoise was worn, traded, and revered by tribes such as the Ancestral Puebloans, Hopi, Zuni, and Navajo. The stone was believed to connect Earth and sky, and offerings of turquoise were made to the gods for rain, fertility, and protection.
Zuni artisans are renowned for their intricate inlay jewellery, where turquoise is cut and set into sacred symbols—animals, sun faces, and ceremonial motifs. This tradition emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and continues today.
The Navajo began incorporating turquoise into silver jewellery around the late 1800s, after learning silversmithing from Mexican craftsmen.
“For Native American cultures, turquoise was not just a gemstone, but a bridge between the physical world and the spirit world.”
Even earlier, the Aztecs in Mexico used turquoise in ceremonial masks, mosaics, and regalia reserved for priests and nobility. The color blue symbolized divinity and authority. One 16th-century Spanish observer noted that the Aztecs used turquoise “more highly than gold.”
Turquoise in Asia and Europe: Global Reverence
Across the world, turquoise continued to inspire wonder. In Tibet, the gemstone was used in religious ceremonies, strung as beads for rosaries and offered to gods. Similarly, in India, turquoise was believed to protect its wearer from the Evil Eye, and it spread to Europe and South America, where it was used as a charm against misfortune and a symbol of good luck.
In Europe, royalty and nobility often wore turquoise jewellery. The Medici family in Italy, for example, valued turquoise as a talisman for good fortune. In Russia, turquoise was thought to promote health and prosperity, and it was often set in jewellery to protect the wearer from harm.
“From Europe to Tibet, turquoise has been a powerful symbol of protection, good fortune, and divine favor.”
The Modern-Day Significance of Turquoise
Today, turquoise continues to be a coveted gemstone. Its rich history and diverse cultural significance make it a timeless favorite in jewellery. In the modern era, turquoise is still associated with healing properties, bringing peace, tranquility, and emotional balance to those who wear it. It is also used in bracelets, necklaces, rings, and earrings, as well as for spiritual practices such as meditation and chakra balancing.
Whether you’re wearing it for its beauty or its spiritual benefits, turquoise remains a gemstone that transcends time, connecting the past with the present in a way few other stones can.
Are you drawn to turquoise? Browse our collection of turquoise jewellery today and discover the beauty and energy of this ancient gemstone.
