Turquoise, with its stunning, robin-blue color, makes any piece of jewelry shine. A blue-green mineral, turquoise is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminum. In the minds of some, it is a precious stone or a gemstone. The discovery of this bluish-green mineral in Turkey dates back to the 1600s. Iran quickly became the world's largest producer of turquoise after the discovery, and the country remained the primary supplier of this precious stone for nearly 2,000 years. This is an extremely sturdy and long-lasting stone.

Consequently, marble saw extensive use in Iran's palaces, temples, and mosques. While the ancient Greeks and Romans adopted the usage of turquoise, the Egyptians employed it much earlier. The Sinai Peninsula's turquoise mines were formerly known as "The Country of Turquoise." The mask that was buried with Tutankhamun, the Pharaoh of Egypt, featured turquoise inlays. After its discovery, turquoise's popularity in Western culture skyrocketed.

The turquoise riches in the southwest of the United States were not discovered until the early 1800s. Turquoise was widely utilized by indigenous peoples for both practical and decorative purposes. Silver was used to create the stunning turquoise jewelry favored by Native Americans. In addition, they made pendants and bracelets with carved figures and turquoise beads.

It is common knowledge that anyone who wears or has a piece of turquoise will be blessed with good fortune. Turquoise was considered a talisman against untimely deaths by both ancient Egyptians and early Americans.

Sterling silver indeed jewelry brings out the best in turquoise. The synchronicity of the precious metal and gemstone is sure to dazzle any buyer. Cut sterling silver jewelry into any form or size, and it will look beautiful. Turquoise necklace and silver necklace is popular materials among artists who create jewelry. Although large stones of any kind are still highly fashionable, even touches of turquoise can transform an otherwise unremarkable piece of jewelry into a show-stopper.

Replicas of ancient tribal ornaments are currently popular. The beauty of turquoise in Native American jewelry is timeless. The stunning robin-blue colors beautifully enhance any sort of jewelry and precious metal, so it's no surprise that celebrities are once again favoring a more natural tribal style. Previously, silver and turquoise were the only acceptable metals to pair, but today artists are experimenting with other precious metals like rose gold, copper, and gold to complement the greenish-blue stone. The large and tribal look is a major fading trend on the runways of every major American metropolis. If you want to try something different with your wardrobe, look into turquoise and the amazing designs that feature it. Find jewelry that doesn't break the bank but still makes you feel luxurious.

How to Find Authentic Vintage Turquoise Jewelry and Native American Bead Work

There is currently a large supply of pre-owned turquoise jewelry on the market. True turquoise has a value comparable to that of a diamond. A wide variety of cultures across Asia, Europe, and the Americas have crafted stunning pieces of jewelry out of turquoise over the millennia. Native American beadwork and jewelry made with genuine, old turquoise are particularly popular.

Long before the Europeans came, the Native Americans had mastered the art of jewelry creation. Tribal fashion may have varied, but the materials utilized were generally consistent. They mostly utilized beads crafted from semiprecious materials including shells, coral, turquoise, amber, and other semiprecious stones.

In the time before the Europeans arrived, the Native Americans had already developed highly sophisticated techniques for working with beads. The beads used to create his necklaces were either turquoise or coral that had been finely crushed. To create handbags, vests, and the like, stitchery with thousands of tiny beads was used.

The metal inlay techniques used in the jewelry of the Hopi, Navajo, Pueblo, and other Native American groups of the South Western United States are thought to have been adopted from Spanish silversmiths in the early nineteenth century. The well-known Squash flower pattern is one such example.

So, how can you tell if the jewelry you're buying contains genuine turquoise?

Take a look at the stamp

If a piece of vintage Native American jewelry you're considering purchasing contains a stamp reading "925," you may rest assured that it is not genuine. A stamp like this one is commonly found on jewelry sold in countries other than the United States. Claimant-owned jewelry that is not hundreds of years old will not have this stamp. When stamping or signing with silver, contemporary Native Americans may utilize the phrase itself.

Brightness

Antique jewelry has stood the test of time. It won't have the sleek, contemporary feel of a newer piece. Epoxy, chemicals, and silica dust are commonly used nowadays to stabilize turquoise, making it more durable and brilliant. This method, too, is relatively new.

Spots and splotches

Except for the exceptionally uncommon and expensive turquoise from Persia, all genuine turquoise is a blue-green color with blotches or markings. Matrix is the name for these notations. Marks or spots may be black, white, or yellowish, depending on the metals that were mixed with them throughout the natural process of the stone-forming stage.

These flaws are no longer an issue because they are easily removed and concealed in today's world. So, if you see a piece of turquoise that is exceptionally flawless, smooth, and bright, you should be wary.

The only exception to this rule are if it comes from Persian mines, in which case it may be flawless and a pure robin egg blue color, but it will cost a fortune. Present-day examples of this kind are quite uncommon.

Style

There is a hidden message in the jewelry's design. Do your homework on the many styles of vintage turquoise jewelry from a given era and region before making a purchase. Authentic Native American jewelry can be recognized by several distinct hallmarks that are unique to this type of jewelry.

Similarly, if you want to know if a piece of vintage turquoise jewelry from Nepal or Turkey is authentic, you need to familiarise yourself with those countries' designs.

Feel

The presence of plastic can be inferred if the weight of the item is significantly lower than that of a natural stone of the same volume.

Probing with a Pin Warm a needle and apply it to the area where it is slightly concealed. If the plastic melts, it was likely combined with another type.

Prudent evaluation
Chalk turquoise, made from howlite instead of genuine stone, is heavy and cheap. Just add a little bit of HCL to see the results. It is howlite if the substance fizzes and turns green.

Price

True turquoise is as rare and valuable as a diamond. This will be reflected in the cost. Stabilized or repaired turquoise is what we see on the market today because of its lower price.

Sometimes what passes for stone is just chalk and dyes bound together with epoxy. Turquoise can be found in a variety of combinations, such as bone, plastic, or howlite. As a bonus, this won't break the bank. Spots and other imperfections on genuine turquoise are sometimes removed before being polished with silica dust, colors, and epoxy. The pricing is established by the weight of the genuine gem material.

You should only purchase genuine vintage turquoise jewelry from a reputable vendor who can guarantee the quality of the pieces they sell.

Just as it's vital to be aware of the various trends, it's also useful to be familiar with the many turquoise mines around the world. The ability to recognize genuine vintage turquoise jewelry requires a basic familiarity with Native American jewelry.