The Mystique of the Turquoise Ring

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A turquoise ring is more than a piece of jewelry: it's an emblem seeped in symbolism and history, with a saga spanning geography and time. For millennia, turquoise has been prized as a gemstone, heralded as a healer, and revered for its luck-bestowing properties -- all of which contribute to its global popularity. When used in jewelry, turquoise becomes a nexus uniting visual beauty with historical richness. A turquoise ring bears a significance few jewelry items can offer. As a decorative stone and healing mineral, turquoise traces back at least 6000 years to the rugged landscape of Persia, where it was first mined, traded, and cherished. Tombs unearthed from the first Egyptian dynasty reveal mummies adorned with turquoise jewelry, and Egyptian rulers were some of the earliest people to boast brilliant turquoise-laden rings on their fingers. In the Americas, turquoise appeared as a jewelry piece about 1000 years ago. Along with finding its way onto rings, necklaces, headdresses, and other decorations, turquoise gained distinction as a natural healer: Native Americans used it to combat headaches, lower fevers, remedy eye conditions, and protect against illness. In some tribes, turquoise was even pestled into a fine powder, mixed with water, and consumed as a tonic for stomach problems. As a physical adornment, turquoise -- in the form of rings and other jewelry -- was commonly worn as a preemptive measure to ward off negative influences and sickness.

In other areas of the world, turquoise acquired a similar reputation for its auspicious properties. Some legends claimed that wearing turquoise could attract wealth, romance, good health, and general success. In many cultures, the stone was believed to uplift its wearer's spirits and alleviate depression -- a sentiment echoed today by metaphysicians who prescribe the stone as a mood booster. With the settlement of North America, turquoise jewelry trickled into Western culture, gaining reverence for its brilliant color -- and retaining an aura of mystique due to lingering folklore about the stone's metaphysical properties. Healers from all persuasions employed turquoise to cure both physical and mental illnesses. The affluent, and occasionally the middle class, coveted rings, necklaces, and other items made with the luminous gem. As ancient beliefs mingled with basic appreciation for its beauty, turquoise jewelry straddled the line between "healing stone" and "elegant accessory." Today, turquoise remains a popular gemstone for adorning jewelry and clothes for either gender. Turquoise-trimmed belts, pendants, earrings, necklaces, watches, bracelets, and -- of course -- rings are popular items for individuals who seek stunning yet affordable accessories. Native American jewelry, especially pieces crafted in the Southwest, still feature turquoise in the form of beads or cabochons; such items have gained worldwide renown. Many of the most captivating jewelry items embed turquoise in sterling silver, as its color intensifies the gem's blue-green hue. Silver-banded rings with turquoise, in particular, are dazzling and bold. On nearly every continent, turquoise jewelry can now be seen garnishing fingers, necks, ears, and wrists.

In recent times, rings made with "altered" turquoise have burgeoned in popularity. Although pure turquoise is less expensive than precious gems like diamonds and sapphires, its cost declines even further when waxes and dyes are applied to low-quality turquoise to enhance its luster and deepen its color. In some cases, jewelry manufacturers use "reconstituted" turquoise instead of the authentic stone. As its name suggests, reconstituted turquoise is made from a conglomerate of small, low-value pieces of turquoise bonded with other filler materials. The result resembles turquoise, but its value is greatly compromised. Rings made with reconstituted turquoise should be regarded for their visual glamour, but not for their quality. For jewelry lovers, rings displaying turquoise make excellent gifts. Turquoise is thought to represent friendship, and thus makes an excellent token symbolizing amity and kinship. As established by the American National Association of Jewelers, turquoise is the official gemstone for December-born individuals -- so if you're looking for the perfect present for a friend or relative with a birthday this month, consider giving a piece of turquoise jewelry. In addition, turquoise is the stone associated with the 5th and 11th wedding anniversaries. Because turquoise is an appropriate gem for both men and women, you can't go wrong by surprising your partner with a ring made from turquoise on one of these special dates. Whether you're buying a turquoise ring for yourself or another lucky individual, you'll be investing in an item that is not only aesthetically captivating, but that also embodies a rich, intricate, and illustrious history.