The Charm Of Turquoise Jewelry

It would be difficult to find a lady’s jewelry wardrobe that does not contain at least one sterling silver turquoise pendant or some other piece of jewelry that is designed around turquoise. And if you are in the West, you should also expect to see a turquoise bolo tie or a pair of turquoise cuff links as part of a man’s wardrobe! Turquoise has always had a special place in the culture, fashion, and folklore of the American Southwest. The ties with the Native Americans in the southwest go back at least a millennium! Turquoise was found in Cerrillos near Santa Fe. Historic records show that tribes in this area were trading turquoise with Mexicans some six hundred miles away! In addition to being a beautiful stone, early Americans also believed in the mystical and spiritual powers of this stone. They believed that this joined together the heavens and earth, and was a symbol of male and female powers and energies. Warriors wore turquoise into battle because they believed that it protected them in war. This special relationship with turquoise was by no means restricted to the Southwest. In the big picture in fact, America is a relative new comer to the world of turquoise. Ancient civilizations including the Egyptians, Aztecs and the Incas all had a deep regard for turquoise. The Egyptians in particular who discovered the stone nearly six thousand years ago associated it with the Goddess Hathor and the Sun God Ra. New Age believers claim that turquoise has a calming effect and helps soothe frayed emotions and tempers.

While Native American tribes strung together chunks of turquoise to form crude jewelry several centuries ago, Southwestern jewelry as an artform truly received a strong impetus with the advent of the Europeans. The Europeans brought with them silver and techniques to work with silver. Native artists soon mastered the art of creating superb silver settings, and using these settings to frame local precious and semi-precious stones. Of all the various styles of Southwestern jewelry, none is more famous or more popular than silver jewelry with turquoise inlay. Creating the intricate setting and then working with individual pieces of stone to complete the piece requires a great deal of skill, something that is passed on from generation to generation. Some of the current trends in fashion jewelry include adding turquoise accent beads to cultured pearl necklaces or alternating turquoise and red coral beads in a flexible bangle bracelet.

About the Author

Dale lives and plays in the Southwestern US and has written many pieces on gems and their use in fashion and fine jewelry.  He is also an authority on popular consumer electronics such as sub-notebook computers, iPods, and cheap MP3 players.

Lee Angel Turquoise-Color 6-1/4 Cuff Bracelet

Cotton and Wire Turquoise/ Coral Flower Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $30.99 Adorn your wrist in elegance with a handmade piece of jewelry from Thailand. This hand-woven cuff bracelet is crafted with cotton and features a floral design in reconstructed turquoise accented by red coral.

Brass Red Coral and Turquoise Flower Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $39.99 This stunning bracelet shines with red coral, reconstructed turquoise, and freshwater pearls. This jewelry piece was handmade in Thailand.

Cotton Handmade Mosaic Turquoise Wire Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $54.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with reconstructed turquoise individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Turquoise and Red Coral Cluster Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $38.99 The stunning cuff bracelet showcases a flower design made up of turquoise and red coral. This jewelry was handmade in Thailand by artisan Valaiporn (Lai).

White Turquoise and Coral Flower Adjustable Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $38.99 Beautiful turquoise and coral combine on this hancrafted bracelet. This jewelry will make a great addition to any woman’s collection.

Cotton Turquoise Expandable Organic Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $34.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with reconstructed turquoise individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Cotton Mosaic Multicolor Gemstones Wire Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $54.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with a multitude of stones individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Cotton Mosaic Reconstructed Turquoise Pull Bracelet (Thailand) $49.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with reconstructed turquoise stones individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Cotton Mosaic Pearl/ Gemstone Organic Cuff Bracelet (3-5 mm) (Thailand) $34.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with a multitude of stones individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Cotton Turquoise and Coral Flower Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $39.99 Add a unique touch of color to your look with a handmade bracelet from Thailand. This bright piece of jewelry features a soft cotton construction over wire decorated with coral and reconstructed turquoise.

Cotton Turquoise/ Pearl/ Tiger’s Eye Pull Bracelet (3-5 mm) (Thailand) $49.99 This cuff bracelet is handmade with a multitude of stones individually sewn on a chic and casual wrist wrap bracelet. Imported from Thailand, each bracelet is gorgeous and unique.

Turquoise and Coral Triple Flower Cluster Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $34.99 The stunning cuff bracelet showcases a triple flower cluster design made up of turquoise and red coral. This jewelry was handmade in Thailand by artisan Valaiporn (Lai).

Cotton Contemporary Turquoise and Coral Flower Bracelet (Thailand) $29.99 Let a beautiful piece of handmade jewelry add that needed touch of style to your outfit. This colorful cotton bracelet offers a beautiful floral design with bright reconstructed turquoise and coral stones.

Geneva Platinum Women’s Colored Band Cuff Watch $21.49 This women’s Geneva Platinum watch features a contoured silvertone metal case. A hinged cuff bracelet finishes the look of this trendy timepiece.

Geneva Platinum Womens Cubic Zirconia Accented Cuff Watch $22.49 This women’s Geneva Platinum watch features an inlaid case with a cubic zirconium accented bezel. A hinged cuff bracelet finishes the look of this trendy timepiece.

Geneva Platinum Women’s Oval Face Cuff Watch $18.99 This casual Geneva Platinum women’s watch features a fuchsia, purple or turquoise dial. A coordinating hinged cuff band finishes the look of this fun timepiece.

Cotton Rope Gemstone and Pearl Bracelet (Thailand) $59.99 Reconstructed Turquoise, tiger’s eye and pearls combine on this beautifully handcrafted bracelet. A cuff design in a wax-covered cotton rope completes the look of this bracelet.

Piano Women’s 3/4-sleeve Ruffle Button Front Blouse $28.99 Bright colors accent this sheer blouse from Piano. This colorful blouse features creped ruffles on the neckline and cuffs of the 3/4-length sleeves.

In Moda Women’s Belted Capri Pants $29.99 These capris by In Moda are constructed of a lightweight cotton blend with a wide cuff design. A functional matching belt is included.

Sterling Silver Turqouise and Coral Bracelet (Nepal) $37.99 This fancy cuff bracelet features an antiqued finish with elegant rope detailing. This jewelry is crafted of sterling silver and has two reconstituted turquoise and one coral.

Mosaic Wide Diagonal Multi-stone Cuff Bracelet (Thailand) $59.99 Lovely freshwater pearls, turquoise and red coral cover this bracelet from Thailand. The handmade bracelet offers a modern cuff style.