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An Introduction to Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise jewelry has been present in Native American culture long before the Americas were discovered by Columbus. The use of turquoise as a jewelry dates back to 900 years B.C. and perhaps even earlier according to excavations in South America.
Ancient Indians have been mining and processing turquoise since then. Excavations revealed extensive mining operations in ancient America, which includes New Mexico’s Burro and Cerillo mountain regions, Arizona’s Morenci and Kingman regions, and Colorado’s Conejos area.
Turquoise has also been used by Native Americans for other items apart from jewelry. At some point in time, turquoise was used as form of currency, and was actively utilized in trading back in the ancient times.
Foreign Influence
When the Spaniards came on the late 16th centuries, Native American turquoise faced some changes due to foreign influence. The use of turquoise for personal decoration increased. Moorish designs have infiltrated traditional Indian motifs with the introduction of the crescent and pomegranate blossom. At this time turquoise jewelry served as symbols of wealth, power, pride, and beauty.
Silver was introduced in the mid 19th century when the silversmith trade entered the continent. Concha belts, bow guards, bracelets, necklaces, and tobacco flasks. Soon afterwards, earrings, pins, rings, hair ornaments, bolos, and buckles emerged. By the 1880s, a great collection of silver jewelries already existed. This was also the time when turquoise finally appeared with silver. Unlike in the ancient times when turquoise were only attached the stone to shells, other kinds of stones, and metals.
Native American Turquoise of Today
Majority of turquoise being produced in the USA today are mined together with copper. Since turquoise is made of a combination of copper phosphorus, and aluminum, it is very likely to find turquoise deposits in copper mines. Turquoise ores may be shaped and then polished into nuggets, cabs and tumblers.
Native American Folklore and Legends Regarding Turquoise Jewelry
According to Native American folklore, turquoise stones bring good luck in terms of love life and money. Some Native American tribes also associate the stone with healing and protection. Whether these beliefs are true or not, turquoise remain to be very pleasing ornaments, that could help boost people’s moods.
More Information About Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Turquoise stones are water-based minerals that are formed in stones. The existence of particular minerals in bigger quantities affects the specific colors of stones. The turquoise forms within a rock where remnants of the original rock, known as matrix, can still be seen in the form of dark marks. There are turquoises stones that show an intricate network of fine lines of the said matrix in the stone. This kind of turquoise stone is referred to as ‘spider webbed’.
Because turquoise has some quantity of water in it, the stone is generally soft and porous when weighed against a sapphire or a diamond. Such stones are naturally quite porous due to their formation, thus turquoise typically needs certain forms of processing to expose its best form and color. The most basic process is stabilization where the stones are treated with epoxy resin and other substances to seal the pores in such a way that the stone maintains its color for long periods. Certain processes include turquoise being treated with some chemicals that enhance colors.
Most Native American Turquoise in jewelry shops have been subjected to some form of treatment, unless it is specified to be natural. It is important to always be sure to ask about the particular treatments the turquoise stone may have gone through. Natural turquoise are generally more expensive than treated ones and jewelers are usually obliged by laws to divulge any treatment that turquoise stones have been subjected to.
Protecting Native American Turquoise Jewelry
Since turquoise is naturally porous and sensitive, it is always important to shield it away from extreme changes in temperature. Turquoise jewelry should not be worn while working strenuously because it could easily be damaged by jolts and knocks. Native American turquoise jewelry may be cleaned with soft cloth soaked in warm water. Jewelry cleaners should be avoided because chemicals can harm the stone’s surface. Turquoise jewelry should be stored away from hard stones such as rubies and diamonds because they could scratch the surface of this sensitive stone.
Turquoise belongs to the rich heritage of Native American culture. It is just rightful to give these beautiful stones the high regard that they deserve.
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