Museum of Turquoise
This Museum of Turquoise has been assembled by Dillon
Hartman of Durango Silver Company - dealers in high grade Turquoise
since 1970.
This Turquoise Geology and Geography section will help you find the
locations of mines and sources of Turquoise. Most Turquoise deposits
are in arid to semi-arid regions in igneous rock formations that contain
high copper concentrations. Deposits of Turquoise can be found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Armenia, Australia, Brazil, Chile, China, Egypt,
Europe, Iran, Israel, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Russia, Siberia, Tanzania,
Turkey, and the United States.
United States of America
There are Turquoise deposits in Arizona,
California, Colorado, Montana,
New Mexico, Nevada,
Utah and Virginia. High Grade
American Turquoise is of the greatest value around the world, second
to none. American Turquoise specimens are usually cut with the matrix
in them, a good cutter tries to create a picture in the cabochon,
the stones have black, white or brown matrices. Many times cutters
around the world try to cut Turquoise from other countries and sell
it as American Turquoise. The Arizona copper mines-These mines are
famous for many exquisite mineral specimens, including Turquoise.
Virginia-Miners found the first examples of crystalline Turquoise
in Virginia in 1911, but Virginia has never been a source for much
gem turquoise.
Middle East
The major sources are in the Sinai Peninsula and Iran. Iran-The
finest of the world’s Turquoise specimens come from the deposits
in Northeastern Iran. The stones from here have the much sought after
Robin’s Egg Blue with few or now streaks and are among the most
valuable opaque gemstones. To no surprise Turquoise is the national
gem of Iran. Sinai Peninsula-The Egyptians began mining Turquoise
here as early as 5500 BC.
This section is intended to uncover references in history to gems,
gemstones, minerals, crystals, precious metals and semi-precious stones
and to investigate the role they played in the development of the
cultures in which they were utilized. We believe examples of royal
jewelry and ancient jewelry from anthropology, sociology and archaeology
from the ancient societies of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece, Rome and
especially the work of Pre-Columbian American cultures of the North
American Indians, Aztecs, Mayans, and Incans to be of craftsmanship
that has not been equaled since. Where possible in our history of
jewelry, we’ve tried to include methods of manufacture, materials
and technology. From the bible, commerce, celestial beliefs to modern
crystal collecting.
Egypt-The history of Turquoise use
in the Middle East coincides with the beginning of civilization itself.
Turquoise mining began in the Sinai Peninsula around 5500 BC. The
stones taken from these mines served jewelry, amulet and cosmetic
purposes for millennia. In 1900, archaeologists who excavated the
tomb of the Egyptian Queen Zer (5500 BC) found a Turquoise and gold
bracelet on her wrist. These are the world’s oldest known examples
of surviving jewelry.
Persia-Around 3200 BC, the kings of Egypt began annual mining expeditions
to the Sinai. In Persia, Archaeologists have found beads of Turquoise
that date around 5000 BC. Amulets from 600 AD contained carvings of
Islamic and Persian Proverbs. The fine stones from this area were
important sources of trade and were found in graves as far away as
Turkestan and the Caucasus. These revered stones, so important to
the Persian culture, were called Ferozah, which meant victorious.
In modern times, Iran honors Turquoise as its national gemstone.
The Bible-The book of Exodus contains an important reference to Turquoise.
The Breastplate of the Hebrew High Priest Aaron contained twelve stones
set in four rows. Turquoise was the first stone on the second row.
Pre-Columbian America
Southwestern United States-The Anasazi had opened their Turquoise
mines by 1000 AD and had established extensive trading practices with
the peoples of what is now Mexico. The mining locations included locations
in Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. In cities such as Chaco Canyon,
the Anasazi traded their Turquoise for the feathers of tropical birds.
As demand for the Anasazi Turquoise grew in the south, the society
at Chaco Canyon grew wealthy. The ancient Turquoise jewelry of the
Zuni tribes was characterized by prominent inserts of the stone. Navajo
Turquoise jewelry features die-stamped designs. In the 16th century,
the cultures of the American Southwest used Turquoise as currency.
It was also often found on the facades of Indian homes.
Mexico-Aztec Turquoise mines began operating between 900-1000 AD.
Asia
By the middle of the first millennium, AD, China had begun using Turquoise
and although they had mines in their empire, they imported most of
their stones from Persians, the Turks, the Tibetans and Mongols. Japan’s
use of Turquoise began in the 18th Century AD.
Europe
Around 500 BC, inhabitants in Siberia had begun using the stone, But
it did not gain favor with Western European fashion until the late
middle ages when trade with the Near and Middle East had increased.
The origin of the word Turquoise is French and comes from Venetian
Traders, who bought it from the great bazaars in Turkey, though the
Turkish traders brought it from the Persian mines. Shakespeare’s
"The Merchant of Venice” features a Turquoise ring. The
Aesthetic Period (1880-1901) responded to the strict provisions of
Queen Victoria’s mourning and jewelry became more whimsical;
Turquoise played a large role in the jewelry of this period but played
an even greater role during the Romantic Period (1837 to 1860). The
light gold worked jewelry of this period contained fine gems that
were often accented by Turquoise.
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links below:
Belt Buckles
| Bracelets | Earrings
| Necklaces | Pendants
| Pins | Rings
| Beads
