The Power of Turquoise
a mystical mineral with healing qualities,
by Nancy J. Reid, www.SouthwestBlend.com

  Turquoise is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral that has been sought as a gem and ornamental stone for thousands of years because of it's unique color. The color ranges from white to powder blue to sky blue because of the copper in the mineral; and from a blue-green to a yellowish green because of the iron impurities in the mineral. Although turquoise has never been found in Turkey, the word turquoise is a French word from the 16th century meaning Turkish. This is most likely because turquoise was traded at Turkish markets to Venetian merchants who brought it to Europe.
  Turquoise is one of the first gems to be mined but is also a byproduct of copper mining operations. The Southwest is an important source of turquoise, especially in southern Arizona; San Bernardino, Imperial and Inyo counties in California; Conejos, El Paso, Lake and Saguache counties in Colorado; Eddy, Grant, Otero and Santa Fe counties in New Mexico; and in parts of Nevada. Historically, the deposits in California and New Mexico were mined by pre-Columbian Native Americans.
  The rulers of Ancient Egypt, the Aztecs, the Persians, the Mesopotamians, and some of the Ancient Chinese all revered the pastel shades of turquoise, making it one of the oldest gemstones. During the 14th century it became popular in the west. Many of the civilizations believed the mineral possessed prophylactic qualities, that it would change colors with the wearer's health, and that it would protect the wearer.
  The Aztecs used it on ceremonial masks, knives and shields, inlaid in mosaic fashion with gold, quartz, malachite, jet, jade, coral and shells. The Pueblo, Navajo and Apache tribes valued turquoise for it's mystic qualities. The Apache especially believed the stone would give an archer perfect aim. They fashioned the gem and  inlay into sculptures, beads and pendants.
  In 1850 a Navajo medicine man was taught how to make silver jewelry by a Mexican blacksmith. At first the Navajos made silver  jewelry for themselves.  As they perfected silversmithing, it was not long before they began using turquoise and coral for accent pieces. The Navajos endow turquoise with high social, economic and religious importance. By the 1870s the silversmithing made it's way from the Navajo to the Zuni and by the 1890s the sterling silver and turquoise combination became a part of the jewelry market.
  Turquoise is believed to embody a healing and protective shield for the wearer. It is believed to change color to warn of danger of infidelity and that it enhances communication with both the physical and spiritual worlds. If it is placed on the third eye area of the forehead, it is believed to enhance intuition and meditation. Used on the throat it releases old vows, inhibitions and allows the soul to express itself. It explore past lives and show the wearer how the creation of your fate depends on what you do at each moment.
  Turquoise is believed to dispel negative energy and balance all the chakras. It unites the earth and sky, uniting male and female energies. It assists in problem solving and has an inner calming influence. It is believed to stimulate romantic love and to boost the physical and psychic immune systems. It is used in the  healing of viral infections, cataracts, gout, rheumatism, is anti-inflammatory and detoxifying.