|
|
|
Turquoise: A Blue Green Heaven
Turquoise has captivated man's imagination for centuries. When it came to the attention of man is unknown. We have archeological as well as literary references that pre date the Christian era by five millennia. The four bracelets of Queen Zar, found on her mummified arm, date to the second ruler of the Egypt's First Dynasty, approx. 5500 B.C. Although not specifically mentioned in the Bible, scholars believe that the robe worn by the high priest Aaron was adorned with Turquoise. Aristotle, Pliny and others refer to stones that must have been Turquoise. After the fourth or fifth century A.D., many writings appeared discussing the stone. Explorers such as Marco Polo took time to write about it. Turquoise was likely found and used by early man. Certainly the prehistoric peoples of the Western hemisphere knew of the Turquoise as we have found pieces in burial and archeological sites throughout the two continents. The Anasazi and Hohokam mined Turquoise throughout our Southwest. Absolute evidence exists that these prehistoric people mined Turquoise at Cerillos and the Burro Mountains of New Mexico, Kingman and Morenci in Arizona and the Conejos areas of Colorado. Turquoise was a popular trade item as so much has been found in archeological sites many hundreds of miles away from its source. A prime example is the Cerillos, New Mexico, Turquoise found with the Aztecs. It seems clear that Turquoise was always considered a stone of life and good fortune and it even had healing properties. Many people from around the world found uses for Turquoise in numerous ways. To mention a few: EGYPT- the earliest known use of Turquoise and the first mines on the Sinai are known to have occurred with this civilization. Queen Zar's jewelry in 5500 B.C. has been mentioned. It had mystical powers and was used in Egyptian art, figures and ornaments. PERSIA- the legendary home of the world's finest Turquoise, the mines are at Nishapur. Turquoise became a major trade and barter item for the early Persians. Persian Turquoise was found in ancient graves in Turkistan, and in the first to third century A.D., in graves throughout the Caucausus. Persian stones were much coveted in Afghanistan, and as far north as Siberia. It was used in art, medicine, as well as in jewelry in INDIA. TIBET- also has their own source of Turquoise usually a green cast, very hard stone. It has a significant amount of spider webbing. Turquoise was a highly revered item to the Tibetans who ranked them in six grades, the most expensive valued well above gold. Every Tibetan wore or carried a piece of Turquoise throughout life. Turquoise was used for currency in many areas of Tibet. MONGOLIA- their knowledge of Turquoise likely came from Tibet and China. It became immensely popular. CHINA- The history of Turquoise in China dates to the thirteenth century A.D. Although mining did exist, most stone came from trade with the Persians, Turks, Tibetans, and the Mongols. Much Chinese Turquoise was used for carving and in other art and decorative ways. It never became a precious stone for the Chinese as was Jade for example. Turquoise was unknown until the 18th Century in JAPAN. Turquoise was not of great import in early and medieval EUROPE. However, as Asian conquests of, and incursions into, Europe occurred the European's familiarity with Turquoise increased. It became more popular during and following the Renaissance. Turquoise, as mentioned earlier, was a very important item to the early inhabitants of both NORTH and SOUTH AMERICA. The stone was used in religion, art, trade, treaty negotiations as well as for jewelry. It was considered by some to be associated with life itself. The medical uses of Turquoise vary from land to land and age to age. It was thought to prevent injury through accident, prevent blindness (by placing perfect stones over the eyes or ground into a salve) and, as a powder, it was ingested to cure stomach disorders, internal bleeding and stings from snakes and scorpions. It found its way into the mystic arts. Its color could forecast good or bad, predict the weather and influence dreams. It was good for nearly every ailment to include insanity. As a good luck talisman it found usage in nearly every culture.
|
|
