Native American Turquoise Bead History

Turquoise Beads - Prehistoric Indians mined turquoise and turned it into jewelry — primarily drilled turquoise beads and other hanging ornaments. However, archeological findings include appliqué on shell and other rock, which means that turquoise was probably used with wood for ear decoration as well (the wood would have deteriorated). Extensive evidence of prehistoric Turquoise mining operations has been found in several areas: the Cerillos and Burro Mountain regions of New Mexico, the Kingman and Morenci regions of Arizona, and the Conejos area of Colorado. Turquoise bead jewelry found in southern Mexico and in excavated mounds east of the Mississippi has been identified as originating from New Mexico’s Cerillos mining area.

The most famous of the Native American Vintage Turquoise Bead finds was located at Pueblo Bonito in Chaco Canyon. Here archeologists found a large amount of ancient Anasazi Turquoise Beads, along with pottery, tools and more. The same types of bead deposits were found in several of the mining claims in the Cerrillos Mining District outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico. The turquoise beads found also included Arizona Turquoise Beads, Nevada Green Turquoise Beads, and more.

The most famous of the Native American Indian bead jewerly was made by the Santo Domingo Indians of New Mexico, USA. The Santo Domingo Beads are some of the best handmade gemstone and turquoise beads ever made. True Santo Domingo Beads are very collectible and were the first Native American Indian Jewelry to be immitated.

Santo Domingo Beads

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Egyptian Turquoise Beads History

Did you know that archaeologists excavated the oldest group of Turquoise Jewelry known in the world at the cemetery of the royal tombs at Abydos, in upper Egypt? Gold and Turquoise bracelets, among other items, found are now in the Cairo Museum. These items are claimed to be from approximately 5500 B.C.

The Egyptian loved turquoise. They made many, many beads. Some of these beads date back to 5500 BC The Egyptians made many kinds of Turquoise beads such as, barrel beads, heishi, and roundel beads. Most of these beads were mixed with Carnelian, obsidian, glass and Moss agate beads. The Egyptians wore turquoise bead earrings, turquoise bead bracelets, and turquoise bead necklaces.

Tibetan Turquoise Bead History

Mined from the Himilayas, Tibetan Turquoise is the most sought after type of turquoise for its beautiful colors, veins, and its cultural significance among the Tibetan and Nepalese people. Turquoise is found on nearly all types of jewelry worn by the the various ethnic groups that live among the Himilayas, and continues today to be a highly valued item.

Turquoise, with its unique sky blue hue, is among the oldest known gemstones. It graced the necks of Egyptian Pharaohs and adorned the ceremonial dress of early native Americans as well as Tibetans and has been attributed with healing powers, prosperity and spirituality.

It is a known fact that every person in Tibet and Napal ones at least one piece of Turquoise. Many have vast amounts of turquoise beads, Turquoise bracelets, Turquoise pendants, Turquoise earrings, Turquoise rings, even Turquoise encrusted headstalls for their horses. Most tibetans wear turquoise beads on a daily basis and have had this practice for thousands of years. They wear turquoise bead earrings, turquoise bead bracelets, and turquoise bead necklaces. Now a days many of these wonderful Turquoise beads are faked with Chinese turquoise beads.